Rome had many famous emperors over a span of several hundred years. From Augustus to Constantine, these emperors were some of the most outstanding leaders the world has ever known. Like so many leaders throughout history, however, not all of the Roman emperors had a great reputation. The first five emperors all came from the same family. They were known as the Julio-Claudian emperors.
AUGUSTUS
1st Roman Emperor, ruled 45 years
Augustus, the first ruler of the Roman Empire, is known throughout history for his amazing leadership. He was born with the name Octavian, but after defeating one of Rome’s greatest enemies, the Senate gave him control of the empire and changed his name to Augustus. Historians call the time of Augustus’ rule “the golden age of Rome” because the empire began to prosper in a way no one had ever seen. Roads and construction improved, literature and wholesome values flourished, and the resources and wealth of the empire grew.
Augustus was slim and slightly shorter than average. He was described as unusually handsome and graceful. Augustus was always very calm and had the reputation of adoring his family and always putting them first. Like any great leader, Augustus set an example for his subjects by living the way he expected them to live.
He made sure to always take time to be with his family and ensure that they were behaving themselves. Sadly, Augustus faced family problems leading up to his death. He died at the age of 77 and left big shoes for his adopted son and heir, Tiberius, to fill.
The title “Augustus” means honored.
TIBERIUS
2nd Roman Emperor, ruled 23 years
Tiberius was the stepson of Augustus and seemed like the most logical choice as the next emperor. Tiberius did not actively seek to succeed his stepfather, but was forced into the role by his mother, Livia. He was a brilliant general in the Roman military and, from what historians have gathered, was never interested in politics or following in his stepfather’s footsteps. Once he became emperor, he started many public projects, but never finished them (the next emperor, Caligula, would complete many of these projects).
Since he did not want the role of emperor, Tiberius went to the island of Capri and left the empire in the hands of one of the imperial guards, Sejanus.
Over time, Sejanus became so powerful that he believed he was the ruler of the empire. Tiberius returned from his long vacation to find whispers of treason and quickly jumped into action. Tiberius had the Senate find Sejanus and many of his friends guilty of treason and sentenced to death. After this, Tiberius became crazed, believing that everyone was trying to take claim to his empire. For the last six years of his life, he became obsessed with who would succeed him and murdered anyone he thought would try to overthrow him. He finally decided that Augustus’ great-grandson, Caligula, would be heir.
CALIGULA
3rd Roman Emperor, ruled 4 years
When describing evil rulers, it would be difficult for historians to leave out Caligula. Coming into power at the age of 24, the Roman Empire had high hopes for Caligula. The first few months of his reign went well, until he fell violently ill. Even though Caligula recovered from his illness, his entire personality changed and his behavior became paranoid. He started spending money wildly, tried to become a gladiator, and even declared that he would make his favorite horse, Incitatus, a senator. If making his horse a senator wasn’t enough, he had a useless bridge made of boats built just so he could drive his chariot across it.
Tall, thin, and lacking in military experience, Caligula felt that he needed a military victory under his belt. He decided that invading Britain was the best way to leave his mark on the empire. Once his army reached the English Channel, a strange panic overcame Caligula and he ordered his soldiers to collect seashells on the shore to show they had defeated the sea god, Neptune. Fed up with poor leadership, his officers and guards killed him after only 4 years as emperor.
Caligula’s real
name was Gaius Caesar. The name “Caligula” means “little boots,”
a nickname he received for wearing small soldier boots when he was a boy.
CLAUDIUS
4th Roman Emperor, ruled 13 years
Known as one of the great organizers of the empire, Claudius came to power rather late in life at the age of 50. Claudius was a very unlikely choice as ruler of a great empire. He was clumsy and had very poor health, yet, he brought stability to the empire when it needed it most. Although he came to power with the empire rattled after the rule of his young nephew, Caligula, Claudius jumped into action and tried to work with the Senate to restore order. Though he had no military experience, one of his first acts was to order the invasion of Britain. Rather quickly, Claudius invaded and successfully took hold of Britain, expanding the reach of the empire for the first time since Augustus.
Although Claudius was a great emperor, he is often remembered more for his troubling home life than for his great deeds as emperor. His first wedding engagement was cancelled, and his second bride became sick and died on their wedding day. He was married a total of four times with each marriage ending in scandal or death. It was his fourth wife, Agrippina, who forced Claudius to recognize her son, Nero, as the next ruler of Rome. After Claudius named Nero his successor, Agrippina had Claudius killed, making her son the next emperor.
NERO
5th Roman Emperor, ruled 14 years
Nero was the youngest of Rome’s early emperors, coming to power at the age of 17. His first five years as leader were prosperous, although it is believed that his mother, his tutor, and the philosopher Seneca did most of the ruling. Like Caligula, however, Nero is not fondly remembered throughout history. Many of the people close to Nero died and it is believed that he was responsible. First his stepbrother died under mysterious circumstances, then his mother, and then other people close to the young emperor.
After the death of his mother, Nero’s interests shifted and he began pursuing some of his hobbies with great intensity. He began playing the lyre, training as an athlete, and strongly encouraging everyone in the upper class to take dance lessons.
Sadly, Nero is most remembered throughout history for a rumor that is likely untrue. A devastating fire broke out and burned half of Rome; it is said that Nero played the fiddle while the city burned. Since the fire destroyed much of the city, Nero decided it was a good idea to build a grand imperial palace called Gold House in its ruins. Finally fed up with his antics, the Roman army turned against him. This resulted in his death, marking the end of the Julio-Claudian emperors.