Good and Bad Emperors of Rome
Before Rome became an empire it was a republic where people voted for government officials. Mass corruption and economic problems led to the fall of the Roman Republic and Caesar Augustus (also known as Octavian) became the first emperor of the Roman Empire in 27 BCE.
Augustus began a long period of peace and stability for Rome known as the Pax Romana. Eventually, the Roman Empire grew so large and difficult to manage that it was divided into eastern and western halves in 276 CE.
The Empire eventually collapsed in 476 CE. Over that 500+ year period Rome had more than 70 emperors who ruled. Some were good and led prosperous reigns, while others were despotic or corrupt and led to many of the problems that caused Rome's eventual downfall.
Here are some of the more famous and infamous of Rome's emperors.
Emperor Nerva ruled Rome from 96-98 CE. Historians believe Nerva was a wise and fair emperor.
It was during Nerva's reign that the custom of selecting the best heir to be emperor began. He is credited for the peaceful transition of power to Trajan as his successor before his death.
Trajan was emperor from 98-117 CE. Trajan rose to political power after serving in the Roman army. During his reign he expanded Rome to its furthest boundaries and started a massive building campaign while the empire was at its largest.
Antonius Pius ruled Rome from 138-161 CE and is said to have had the most peaceful reign in the history of Rome. His rule is marked as an age of peace and prosperity, often saving senators who were sentenced to death.
Marcus Aurelius reigned from 161-180 CE. History portrays him as the last of the Five Good Emperors. Through his conquests he brought the empire to its height of prosperity while defeating invaders. He was also one of the most famous Stoic philosophers and contributed much to the field of Roman philosophy.
Commodus was the son of Marcus Aurelius and reigned from 180-192 CE. This period is seen as the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire. He enjoyed fighting for audiences as a gladiator in the Colosseum, to the dismay of those wishing for good government. This angered many Romans as they thought his actions were disgraceful.
Commodus became feared and hated by the Senate because of his dictatorial leadership and the increasing taxes he placed on them. He would later be assassinated in a plot created by his opponents.
In the year after Commodus' death, five men claimed the title of emperor, beginning a long period of unrest and political turmoil for Rome. This would last until Emperor Diocletian stabilized the empire in 284 CE.