Top 10 Worst Roman Emperors

The Top Ten
1 Caligula Known for his erratic behavior and brutal rule, Caligula's reign is marked by extreme extravagance, arbitrary executions, and an alarming tendency to proclaim himself a god. His despotic ways and apparent insanity led to widespread discontent, and his assassination was seen as a relief to Rome.

Horrible. Just plain horrible. This guy thought he was a god and punished anyone who opposed him. As if that wasn't bad enough, he also doted on his own sister.

The guy slept with his sisters! And I see no reason for Augustus to be on this list!

Caligula had major brain damage.

2 Nero Nero's rule was tainted by extravagance, tyranny, and allegations of setting the Great Fire of Rome. His persecution of Christians and erratic behavior, along with his obsession with arts over governance, contributed to his reputation as one of the most notoriously bad emperors.

Nero was a maniac. He massacred Christians in great numbers, took huge funds to build himself monuments, and was all around a total nutcase.

Basically the Roman equivalent of Hitler. He massacred thousands of innocent Christians for no reason. Absolutely horrible.

Was it true he fiddled while he watched the city burn?

3 Commodus Often depicted as a self-indulgent ruler, Commodus saw himself as a reincarnation of Hercules. His reign was filled with scandal, corruption, and a disinterest in the affairs of the state. His behavior led to political instability and ultimately resulted in his assassination.

Just about as bad as they come. He focused too much on playing around as a gladiator to care about the health and safety of his empire. He was also a depraved, paranoid psychopath who killed anyone who stood in his way, purging the Senate to the point that it became a bunch of incompetent yes-men. Quite the contrast from his cerebral, sober-minded father Marcus Aurelius.

4 Elagabalus Famous for his religious fanaticism and sexual excesses, Elagabalus's rule was marked by a complete disregard for Roman traditions and political norms. His attempts to replace traditional Roman religion with his own led to widespread discontent, resulting in his murder at a young age.

Executed many innocents, enforced a religion unfamiliar to all of Rome, and prostituted himself. Augustus doesn't belong here at all, but Elagabalus does.

Should be in the top 5. Yeah, of course a gender-confused teenager would make a great emperor.

5 Caracalla Caracalla's rule is notorious for the massacre of thousands in Alexandria and his enactment of the Constitutio Antoniniana, which was economically taxing on the empire. His obsession with Alexander the Great and despotic ways led to widespread resentment and a negative legacy.

I can't believe that I had to add him. He wasn't as evil as Caligula or Nero, but he killed more than them.

6 Tiberius Although a capable military leader, Tiberius's reign was marked by paranoia and cruelty, especially in his later years. His use of treason trials to execute rivals, along with his withdrawal from public life, left a lasting impression as a tyrannical and aloof ruler.
7 Constantine II Constantine II's short reign is characterized by his conflict with his brothers over territorial disputes. His aggressive attempt to take control over his brother Constans' territory led to a civil war, which resulted in his death, leaving a reputation of greed and rash decision-making.
8 Domitian Domitian's authoritarian rule and tendencies to persecute those he viewed as enemies have colored his legacy. His heavy taxation and autocratic behavior led to dissatisfaction among the Senate and the nobility, culminating in a conspiracy that led to his assassination.
9 Constantine I While renowned for his conversion to Christianity and the Edict of Milan, Constantine I's rule had its dark sides. His involvement in the killings of his son Crispus and wife Fausta, along with internal family conflicts, has led some to view aspects of his rule critically.
10 Maximian As a co-emperor with Diocletian, Maximian's rule was marked by brutal military campaigns and a strong focus on his own aggrandizement. His failures in dealing with internal revolts and his attempts to regain power after abdicating tarnished his legacy.
The Contenders
11 Augustus Although Augustus laid the foundation for the Roman Empire, some critics point to his seizure of power and undermining of the Roman Republic's principles. His consolidation of authority into his own hands and manipulation of political processes have been viewed negatively by some historians.
12 Claudius Despite accomplishments like the conquest of Britain, Claudius was often perceived as weak and easily manipulated, particularly by his wives and freedmen. His stuttering and apparent physical disabilities led to personal ridicule, further diminishing his reputation in the eyes of some contemporaries and historians.
13 Severus Alexander Severus Alexander's rule was weakened by his perceived indecisiveness and undue influence from his mother and advisors. His inability to effectively deal with external threats and his tolerance for different religious practices angered the traditional Roman elite, leading to his assassination.
14 Geta Geta's brief rule was marred by constant conflict with his co-emperor and brother Caracalla. This intense rivalry and inability to govern jointly led to political instability, and his eventual assassination by Caracalla's orders cemented a tragic and ineffective legacy.
15 Septimius Severus His rule is marked by military despotism and a focus on strengthening the power of the army. Septimius Severus' harsh measures against opponents and the neglect of the traditional Roman Senate contributed to a legacy of authoritarian rule.
16 Trebonianus Gallus His reign was plagued by numerous troubles including famine, an outbreak of plague, and military unrest. Trebonianus Gallus' inability to successfully handle these crises and his eventual assassination by his own troops left him with a reputation as an ineffective leader.
17 Maximinus I "Thrax" Known for his persecution of the nobility and the Senate, Maximinus I's rule was characterized by cruelty and distrust of the Roman elite. His focus on military campaigns at the expense of the civilian population, coupled with heavy taxation, contributed to his negative image.

This guy killed and slaughtered all!

18 Diocletian Known for his Diocletianic Persecution, the last and most severe persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, Diocletian's rule is often criticized for its brutal suppressive measures. His economic reforms, while intended to stabilize, led to significant hardship and dissatisfaction.

People like to criticize Nero for his cruelty to the Christians, and they are right for this. But under Diocletian, persecution was the most severe and widespread.

Responsible for the bloodiest religious persecution of Christianity in history.

19 Didius Julianus Famous for "buying" the empire in an auction held by the Praetorian Guard, Didius Julianus's reign was marked by widespread condemnation and a complete lack of authority outside Rome. His rule lasted only nine weeks before his assassination, leaving him a symbol of imperial folly.
20 Titus Although his reign was brief, Titus faced criticism for his handling of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the Great Fire of Rome. However, these events may have been beyond his control, and many modern historians view him more favorably, making him an ambiguous figure in Roman history.
21 Vespasian Despite being known for restoring stability after the Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian's imposition of taxes, including on public urinals, led to some unpopularity. However, many of his so-called negative traits may be attributed to later propaganda and not universally accepted.
22 Valentinian II His reign was overshadowed by the influence of powerful generals and court officials, leading to a perception of weakness and ineffectiveness. Valentinian II's inability to assert control and his mysterious death contributed to a legacy of a puppet emperor.
23 Theodosius I Often criticized for his strong support of Nicene Christianity and his role in making it the state religion, Theodosius I's rule led to the persecution of other religious groups. His actions in the Massacre of Thessalonica are also cited as part of his negative legacy.

This was the original fanatical Christian who got upset over Christianity being criticized. Not only did he make Christianity the official religion of the Empire, but he literally banned every other religion, even Hellenism, which was the Empire's main religion for centuries! If you're wondering why Christianity is the big religion today, look no further than this selfish arsehole.

24 Vitellius Known for his gluttony and extravagance, Vitellius quickly lost favor through his mismanagement of the empire and inability to control his supporters. His reign ended in chaos and violence, culminating in his brutal execution after just eight months in power.
25 Gratian While initially respected, Gratian's later actions, including his rejection of the traditional Roman pagan symbols and favoring of Christianity, led to dissatisfaction among the Roman population. His loss of authority and eventual assassination marked a downfall in his rule.
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