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Period: 27 BCE to 14
Reign of Augustus
Considered Rome's first emperor, though did not call himself that.
He nearly double the size of the Roman Empire, adding territories in Europe and Asia Minor to the already expansive Empire.
He founded the Praetorian Guard, the Roman postal system, and rebuilt Rome with a new forum and police and fire departments. -
19 BCE
Publication of the Aeneid
Under the patronage of Maecenes, Vergil wrote the Aeneid by the commission of Caesar Augustus who requested a foundation story for Rome. -
19 BCE
Augustus as Imperium Maius
The title of Imperium Maius entailed the supreme power of all the Roman Provinces. It was from this power and example that all other rulers were compared to and judged. -
3 BCE
The Birth of Jesus
The birth of Jesus resets the course of history through His life, death, and resurrection. -
2 BCE
Augustus as Pater Patriae
At age 63, Augustus earned the title "Father of the Country." Augustus was also credited with establishing the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace. -
Period: 14 to 68
Emperors of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty
Four emperors ruling Rome for a total of 53 years descended from Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. -
Period: 14 to 37
Reign of Tiberius
Tiberius Julius Augustus was the original name of the Roman emperor known formally as Tiberius Claudius Nero.
He was the adopted son of Augustus and sought to preserve his father's institutions and imperial boundaries throughout his reign.
In his last years, he became a tyrannical recluse, subjecting Rome to his reign of terror. -
23
Death of Drusus
Tiberius was greatly affected by the death of his son, Drusus, and became less and less concerned by the affairs of the Empire. He entrusted Sejanus, a Praetorian Guard, to handle his role in the Senate. From then on, Tiberius was emperor only in name. -
27
Tiberius at Capri
Tiberius, wishing to leave Rome behind, traveled to the island Capri where he established an impressive compound of villas and underground tunnel circuits. However, his entertainments were notably less than savory and contemporary historians, at their most complimentary, described him as ferocious and psychopathic. -
Period: 33 to 45
Galba's Rise to Power
Formally Servius Galba Caesar Augustus, he was favored by Tiberius and Augustus.
He became consul in 33.
Commanded of the Upper German Army from 40-42.
Served as proconsul of Africa from 42-45. -
Period: 37 to 41
Reign of Caligula
Known formally as Gaius Caesar Germanicus.
Ancient historical accounts of Caligula are so biased against him that the truth is nearly impossible to decipher.
After his ascension to the throne, he re-instituted treason trials and reigned as a cruel emperor, seeking to be raised up as a god of the Roman people.
He was murdered in January of 41. -
38
Caligula kills Naevius Sutorius Macro and supersedes Tiberius Gemellus
Naevius Sutorius Macro, the Praetorian prefect, had helped Caligula's rise to power in 37. But, having fallen out of favor, Caligula ordered his execution. In the case of Tiberius Gemellus, grandson of Tiberius, he was simply replaced at Caligula's ascension to power. -
40
Caligula Marches on Gaul
Caligula took his armies into Gaul and ransacked the region as a prelude to the invasion of Britain. He ordered the Gauls to collect seashells from the beach, which he referred to as "spoils of the conquered ocean." -
Period: 41 to 54
Reign of Claudius
Formally known as Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.
The uncle of Caligula and nephew of Tiberius, he succeeded his nephew after Caligula's assassination.
During his reign, he extended Roman rule into North Africa and added Britain as a province; however, bad health, unactrative appearance, and coarse manner did not recommend him to public life. -
Period: 41 to 46
Claudius's Annexations
Claudius added greatly to the Roman Empire by annexing, or simply adding, Mauritania(41), Lycia in Asia Minor(43), and Thrace(46). -
43
Claudius Invades Britain
Claudius, driven by his need of popularity and glory, invaded Britain and captured Camulodunum. However, he did have other concerns, such as the Druid priesthood and a general desire to gain more lands for the already vast Empire. -
Period: 54 to 68
Reign of Nero
Formally known as Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus and was raised by his mother Julia Agrippina, a great-granddaughter of Augustus, and Claudius, Nero's great uncle, stood in as his adopted father.
Nero was infamous for his personal debaucheries and excesses, though the prosperity of Rome did not suffer during his reign.
Infamously persecuted Christians and is blamed for starting the Great Fire of Rome. -
60
Galba in Spain
Galba was made governor of Nearer Spain as served as such for eight years until he became convinced that Nero was plotting his assassination. -
63
Nero's Strange Attractions
Beginning to show through in 63, Nero's twisted mind was very intrigued by novel, religious cults and the preachers of such. -
65
Conspiracy Against Nero
An intense conspiracy to assassinate Nero was found out by him and it caused the executions of several senators, officers, and a prefect. Nero's old advisor, Seneca, was found to be involved and subsequently committed suicide. -
Period: 68 to 68
Galba, Governor of Spain, Declares Himself Emperor
A notably moral ruler, but allegedly corrupt advisors made for a infamous reign.
Convinced that Nero was plotting his assassination, Galba encouraged and headed a rebellion against Nero with the Gauls.
The historian Tacitus wrote of Galba, “it was everyone’s opinion that he was capable of ruling the empire, had he never ruled.” -
Period: 68 to 69
Year of the Four Emperors
At the death of Nero in 68, four men claimed themselves as emperors of the great Empire; but, as three fell, one rose above as a new dynasty of Roman rule opened. -
69
Vespasian, Father of the Flavian Dynasty
Soon after Vespasian defeated Vitellius's forces, he was declared the power of princeps, or ultimate eminence, and placed most positively as emperor of Rome by the Senate. -
69
Vespasian is Declared by the Senate
In December, shortly after the defeat of Vitellius, the Senate declared Vespasian official emperor. He confessed to the Senate that he had not come to power over his army in a conventional way, but was rather elected. This came up in severe juxtaposition to Vitellius, who had waited for the Senate's approval before delcaring himself emperor. -
69
The Great Fire of Rome
The flames raged for six days before being put out then reignited for another three. Two-thirds of Rome were destroyed by this fire. The cause is unknown, but history assumes it to be the neurotic emperor Nero. -
69
Otho Finds Support
In 69, as Galba lay dying, he overlooked Otho's authority and passed the position instead to Lucius Calpurnius Piso. However, Otho found support for himself and soon his followers declared him emperor. -
69
Otho's Retaliation
Otho learned of the oncoming coup of Vitellius and organized an army of gladiators and soldiers and Romans, but Vitellius defeated his army at Bedriacum -
69
Rise of Vespasian
As Vitellius settled into Roman power, the people soon realized how incapable he was and people from Syria and Egypt and Judea declared themselves to support Vespasian. This man had been seen by Nero as leading the Jewish Revolt, but soon emerged as a valid candidate for the emperorship. -
69
Vitellius vs. Vespasian
Vespasian prepared to march on Rome and a scrambling Vitellius. Vitellius knew his time was coming to a close and desperately tried to reach peace with the oncoming invasion but to no avail.
It is said that Vespasian's army marched successfully on Rome and abused Vitellius greatly before killing him in December. -
69
Vitellius vs. Otho
Vitellius was the governor of lower Germany and followed the precendent set by Galba that the Roman emperor could reside outside of Rome. Thus, he organized a coup against Otho and declared himself emperor. Additionally, Vitellius had stolen the sword of Julius Caesar for himself. -
69
Otho's Suicide
After Otho realized that he was unable to come back from the defeat by Vitellius, he wrote farewell letters to his family and friends before committing suicide. -
Period: 69 to 96
Flavian Dynasty Emperors
Three great Roman Emperors spanning a period of 27 years with Vepasian as the father of this great Flavia gens. -
Period: 69 to 79
Vespasian's Rule
Formally known as Caesar Vespasianus Augustus
Vespasian is known widely for his reorganization of the Roman Army, making it more loyal and professional, and reforming the Senate by bringing in members with a desire to serve their Empire.
Great fiscal reforms are also attributed to Vespasian as well as political stabilization. -
70
Vespasian Raises Funds
Vespasian realized that the rebuilding and expansion of the Empire would need funds; thus, he sold off parcels of Roman land in Egypt. These sales caused general unrest of the Egyptians, but Vespasian exacted that three times the amount of existing revenue was needed to put the state to rights and continue to improve it. -
79
Eruption of Mount Vesuvius
From the time of its eruption to 25 hours later, Vesuvius had completely destroyed the population of Pompeii and Herculaneum. But the city was perfectly preserved in thick ash while casts of the victims naturally occurred. -
79
Titus Comes to Power
Briefly previous to his father's death, Titus uncovered and subsequently squashed a conspiracy related to the succession. -
Period: 79 to 81
Reign of Titus
Formally known as Titus Vespasianus Augustus.
He was the son of Vespasian, extending the Flavian dynasty through his reign as emperor.
His father gave Titus charge of the Jewish War, which culminated in the partial destruction of Jerusalem in September of 70. -
80
Titus Dedicates the Colosseum
After nearly a decade of construction, Titus officially dedicated the Colosseum. This dedication lasted 100 days with festivals and gladiatorial games. -
Period: 81 to 96
Reign of Domitian
Formally known as Caesar Domitianus Augustus.
Most infamous for his reign of terror that the Senate endured under him as his rule came to a cloase.
Allegedly assassinated his own brother, Titus, for position as emperor. -
84
Pay Raises
Domitian, after leading his army into Scotland without a favorable outcome, raised the soldiers's pay by one third, after which he was held in popular favor -
89
Crisis and Revolt of Upper Germany
The unpopular Roman emperor was met with crisis when Antonius Saturninus, governor of Upper Germany, revolted against Domitian's rule and power. Though this revolt was ultimately suppressed, a number of executions followed carried out by the law of treasons. -
96
Nerva's Quick Rise to Power
On September 18, Domitian, unpopular with the Senate and with the people, was assassinated and Nerva quickly ushered in to take his place as emperor.
A few retired statesmen deigned to come out of retirement to assist Nerva in governing the Empire. -
Period: 96 to 98
Nerva's Rule
Formally known as Nerva Caesar Augustus.
Nerva was distantly related to the Julio-Claudian house of rule and came from a distinguished senatorial family.
He is the first of the Five Good Emperors. -
Period: 96 to 180
The Five Good Emperors
This succession of impeccable leadership was not a bloodline, though each successor was at least adopted by his predecessor, if not related whatsoever. -
97
Nerva and Trajan
In order to secure the succession of Emperors, Nerva took Trajan, a governor of one of the German provinces, under his wing and kept him as his colleague. -
Period: 98 to 117
Trajan's Rule
Formally known as Caesar Divi Nervae Filius Nerva Traianus Optimus Augustus.
Known mainly for his vast building program and general concern of the social welfare of Rome.
Trajan also sought to extend Rome's boundaries further east. -
99
Trajan Reforms
Upon Trajan's return to Rome, he showed the Senate extreme respect and began to assist the poor of Rome.
Trajan distributed considerable gifts of cash to the poor as well as increased the number of poor families who received free grain from the state.
Additionally, Trajan lowered taxes and instituted public funds that went towards support the poor children of Italian cities. -
114
Trajan Deifies Nerva
Trajan, in order to honor Nerva posthumously, added "Optimus," or best, before Augustus in Nerva's full name. Trajan intended to raise his predecessor up as a god, equal with Jupiter as well as his earthly representation. -
Period: 117 to 138
Hadrian's Rule
Formally known as Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus.
Emperor Trajan's cousin and his successor as third of the Five Good Emperors.
He famously unified and consolidated the vast Roman Empire. -
118
Hadrian's Return
Hadrian returned to Rome from Mesopotamia and almost immediately started buttering up the Roman citizens. Gladiatorial games, public displays of generosity to the poor, and waiving of state debts put him favorably in the public eye. However, he replaced two prefects of the Praetorian Guard with his own two friends. -
122
Building Hadrian's Wall
Upon his arrival in Britain, Hadrian, in the words of his biographer, “was the first to build a wall, 80 miles long, to separate the Romans from the barbarians.”
Initial construction took six years and expansions were later made by his successors. -
138
Hadrian Adopts Antonius Pius
Hadrian took Antonius Pius as his adopted son to secure the line of succession.
Trajan also specified the next two successors of Antonius Pius. -
Period: 138 to 161
Rule of Antonius Pius
Formally known as Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius.
His family originated from Gaul, and his father and grandfathers had all been consuls.
He, himself, served as consul in 120. -
140
Faustina's Death
When Antonius Pius's wife, Faustina died(sometime between late 140 to early 141), he founded in her memory Puella Faustinae, or the Girls of Faustina. It was an organization that served the daughters of poor Roman families. -
161
Marcus Aurelius Ascends
Marcus Aurelius's ascension to power was a smooth one and he was prepared for the responsibility.
At his own insistence, Marcus Aurelius's brother, Lucius Verus, was instituted as co-emperor alongside him. -
Period: 161 to 180
Rule of Marcus Aurelius
Formally known as Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus.
Best known for his collection of stories called Meditations on Stoic philosophy.
Marcus Aurelius has stood for many, many years as the symbol for the Golden Age of the Roman Empire. -
177
"Persecution" of Christians by Marcus Aurelius
At Lyon in France, Christian martyr blood flowed as the law was carried out to punish Christians. The law stated that only Christian's that were ipso facto were punishable, though not to be sought out for punishment.
Though Christians were tolerated by Trajan and Hadrian, Christian blood seemed to flow more often during Marcus Aurelius's reign than Trajan's or Hadrian's