Roman Emperors During the Pax Romana Augustus Caesar

Roman Emperors (During the Pax Romana) Augustus Caesar to Marcus Aurelius ( 27 B. C. - 180 A. D. )

Augustus Caesar (27 B. C. -14 A. D. ) • Launched morality crusade • Major patron of the arts & building • 1 st census (5, 000) (organize, tax, etc. ) • Created the Praetorian Guard • Created “Ministry of Transport”

Tiberius (14 -37) • Stepson of Augustus: Succession? • First to Persecute Christians (Christ) • Very Paranoid: Treason Trials • Ruled from Capri (Med. Island) • Depressed in Later Years • Very unpopular: Never Deified

Caligula (37 -41) • Name means “little boots” • Traumatic youth • Insane!! – Horse / spoils / treasury / god! • Hated by Senate • Assassinated by own guard at age 30

Claudius (41 -54) • Chosen Emperor by Caligula’s guard • Unlikely emperor • Great builder • Reformed law, courts, religion • Conquered south Britain • Elaborate security (4 th wife)

Nero (54 -68) • Age 17 • 64 AD “Great Fire” (blamed Christians) • Considered himself a great artist, performer & athlete • Killed stepbrother, mom, aunt and two wives • Was hated by Senate, army, provinces, guards & family • Forced Suicide

Year of 4 Emperors (68 – 69) 1. Gal. BA (Killed by senate) 2. Otho (Suicide) 3. Vitellius (Murdered by opposition) 4. And…

Vespasian (69 -79) • • Military declared him emperor Led simple life (“mulio”) Building projects (Colosseum) Conquered Judea / Jerusalem • “normal” death (fever)

TITUS (79 – 81) • First “true” son to become emperor • Became well-loved • Triumphal arch • Vesuvius (79) & 2 nd Rome fire (80) • Fever or poison? • First to hand power to brother

Domitian • • • (81 -96) Began “Cult of Domitian” Expanded gladiator shows Ruined the economy Notorious womanizer (niece) Removed all power from Senate Killed at “noon”

Nerva (96 -98) • Chosen by Senate (no threat) • Dominated by all parties (held hostage) • Tried to please (Senate, army) • Last full Italian emperor • Chose his successor

Trajan • • • (98 -117) First non-Italian Great general Largest empire Personal desires (wine / boys) Monument building (column) Bestowed title optimus

Hadrian • • • (117 -138) Extensive Traveler Fortified the empire (Britain) Codified Roman law Extensive builder The Pantheon Set fashion (beard)

Antoninus PIUS (138 -161) • • • Peaceful reign Well-loved Granted title Pius Sent first embassy to China Well managed empire (treasury) Ideal leader?

Marcus Aurelius (161 -180) • • • First to share his reign (Verus) “Philosopher-King” Successful military commander Spoiled son (Commodus from movie) Last emperor of Pax Romana

END OF PAX ROMANA 1 of next 40 emperors dies naturally!! 30 are assassinated or commit suicide (100 years)