An atlas of imperial Rome
Roman emperors.
Remarkable lives.
From Augustus to Constantine, meet ten emperors who shaped the Roman world.
Explore the timeline
Ten lives, in chronological order
The imperial timeline
A selection of influential rulers, from the first emperor to Constantine. Co-rule and rival claimants mean reigns can overlap.
- 27 BC 14 AD
Julio-Claudian
Augustus
First Roman Emperor who transformed the Republic into the Empire. His reign inaugurated an era of relative peace known as the Pax Romana.
- 14 AD 37 AD
Julio-Claudian
Tiberius
Second Roman Emperor and stepson of Augustus. Known for his military prowess but became increasingly reclusive in his later years.
- 54 AD 68 AD
Julio-Claudian
Nero
Infamous emperor known for his tyrannical rule and persecution of Christians. His reign ended the Julio-Claudian dynasty.
- 69 AD 79 AD
Flavian
Vespasian
Founded the Flavian dynasty and restored stability after the Year of Four Emperors. Known for his fiscal reforms and building projects.
- 98 AD 117 AD
Nerva-Antonine
Trajan
Considered one of the Five Good Emperors. Under his rule, the Roman Empire reached its greatest territorial extent.
- 117 AD 138 AD
Nerva-Antonine
Hadrian
Known for consolidating the empire and building Hadrian's Wall. A philhellene who promoted Greek culture throughout the empire.
- 161 AD 180 AD
Nerva-Antonine
Marcus Aurelius
Philosopher-emperor and Stoic. Last of the Five Good Emperors. Wrote the famous philosophical work 'Meditations'.
- 180 AD 192 AD
Nerva-Antonine
Commodus
Erratic emperor who believed himself to be Hercules reborn. His assassination ended the Nerva-Antonine dynasty.
- 193 AD 211 AD
Severan
Septimius Severus
Founded the Severan dynasty after winning the civil wars. First emperor of African origin, strengthened the military.
- 306 AD 337 AD
Constantinian
Constantine I
First Christian Roman Emperor. Founded Constantinople and issued the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance.
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