Julio-Claudian Dynasty
-successors of Augustus from 14 to 68
-related to either his own family (the Julia) or that of his wife Livia (the Claudia)
-dynastic, hereditary succession
Tiberius (14-37)
-chosen as heir of Augustus only after more favored heir died
-treated poorly by courtiers, senators after his years of obscurity
-attempted to act like Augustus and refuse power – but refused too much
-confused the Senate who resented his hereditary succession
-began process of centralization of authority by transferring the election of
magistrates from the assembly to the Senate
-sought counsel of military man Sejanus (from outside the normal power
structure)
-Sejanus subjected Rome to a reign of terror – killed off enemies of his own
and of Tiberius
-Tiberius could not stop – too unsure of his power
-suddenly embraced Caligula (son of general Germanicus, only surviving
member of the imperial family) as heir after the Senate executed Sejanus
-violence of Tiberius’ rule destroyed any chance of stable succession
-constant power struggles amongst imperial family
Caligula (37-41)
-began rule in positive way – recalled exiles, burned records of Sejanus’ treason
trials
-soon began to show signs of disturbing eccentricities
-with his military at the coast of the North Sea prepared to invade Britain, he
ordered the soldiers to collect sea shells
-during a religious ritual, killed a priest rather than the animal prepared for
sacrifice
-ordered a statue showing him as a god be erected in the Temple in Jerusalem
(the ultimate sacrilege to the Jews)
-historians theorize that there was a troubled hereditary strain in the family –
possibly a bipolar disorder
-murdered by officers of the Praetorian Guard – apparently for personal reasons
and with the support of some senators
Claudius (41-54)
-uncle of Caligula, the sole surviving heir of Augustus
-wracked by a mysterious illness in his youth
-left him with physical impediments including weakness and shaking that
made him the object of ridicule in the court
-unlike his predecessors he tried to make sensible reforms and programs
-founded the bureaucracy that ran the empire by turning state affairs over to
trusted assistants
-passed laws to protect sick slaves
-increased women’s privileges
-expanded Roman territory by completing conquest of North Africa and
establishing Roman rule in Britain
-allowed conquered peoples to become citizens
-allowed men from Gaul to be seated in the Senate
-did not believe it was appropriate for his subjects to be segregated
-married his own niece Agrippina
-Agrippina dominated Claudius and attempted to seize power for herself
-she founded colonies, secured pardons for those Claudius had exiled
-main plot: have her son Nero declared emperor
-adopted Nero as his heir
-Agrippina poisoned Claudius
Nero (54-68)
-extremely popular with the people early in his reign because of his enthusiasm
for horseracing (considered the sport of commoners)
-Agrippina intended to continue to use him in her drive for total power – had the
ambition to rule through him
-realized had to get rid of Agrippina to rule in his own right
-attempt to murder Agrippina by wrecking her ship unsuccessful
-had soldiers finish the job by stabbing her with their swords
-Romans appalled by matricide – one of the worst impieties a Roman could commit
-rumors of degeneracy rampant throughout the court
-referring to his deviant sexual behavior and violent activities (including murdering passers-by on the street at night)
-fire of 64 destroyed his reputation
-rumors spread of his gaiety during the fire (performing on stage) and that he
started it to clear land for a new palace
-plundered the empire for funds to rebuild the city – took treasures from
temples, raised taxes
-became an unstable tyrant who acted on his whims
-reign of terror caused revolts in Britain, Judaea, Gaul
-armies defected, officers and senators turned on him
-fled to the country where he committed suicide

“Year of Four Emperors”
-dynasty of Augustus extinct with death of Nero
-rival generals closed in on Rome – four claimed the title emperor in the year 69
-Vespasian stabilized the situation, emerged as sole ruler at the end of the year
Flavian Dynasty
-founded by Vespasian in 69
-lasted through his rule and the reign of his sons Titus and Domitian
-ended with murder of Domitian by senators in 96
Five “Good” Emperors
series of five so-called good emperors
-period of peace and prosperity that lasted over 100 years
-ensured by system of succession by adoption of an experienced general as the
emperor’s heir
Nerva (96-98)
-selected by senators as emperor
-attempted to set a new tone after Domitian’s reign of terror
-released those imprisoned for treason
-banned future prosecution for treason
-involved the Senate in his rule
-army challenged his rule
-Praetorian Guard were supporters of Domitian
-adopted military officer Trajan as his heir and successor
-establishing method of succession by adoption
-bolstered support in the army
Trajan (98-117)
-continued Nerva’s policies concerning those imprisoned for treason
-returned land confiscated by Domitian
-active military emperor
-spread Roman rule north of Danube River to Dacia, established empire’s
farthest eastern expansion in conquering the Tigris-Euphrates valley to the
Persian Gulf
-building programs
-Forum in central Rome with shops, offices, a library
-victory column in honor of his military success
-program that provided state funds for education of poor children
Hadrian (117-138)
policy of defensive imperialism
-saw empire was overextended – withdrew from Mesopotamia
-emphasized creation of and protection of peace
-master at negotiation
-building programs
-to protect borders of empire
-fortifications from the Rhine to the Danube
-Hadrian’s wall across Britain – to protect Roman province from Celtic
tribes of the north
-constructed public works throughout empire – aqueducts, bridges, roads,
harbors
-Pantheon – temple to all the gods
-further established autocracy – absolute authority of the emperor
-all decisions came straight from the emperors
-often did not ask the Senate for approval
-created council of “friends” to advise him on laws, policies
-made laws without any pretense of democratic process
-generally fair and humane
-improved the conditions for soldiers and slaves
-gave women the same rights as men in court
-arranged the succession of the next two emperors
Antoninus Pius (138-161)
-known for his simple tastes, intelligence, and kindly disposition
-used his private treasury to aid distressed provinces and cities
-protected his subjects from persecution and rumors of treason
-reign the most peaceful of the five
Marcus Aurelius (161-180)
required to return to aggressive military action
-hostile peoples massing on northern and eastern frontiers
-fought in Asia Minor, on the Danube
-wrote Meditations that revealed his interest in Stoic philosophy and spirituality
-abandoned principle of adoption
-passed the throne on to his son Commodus (180-192)
-Commodus’ extravagance and cruelty recalled Nero’s reign
-ended the prosperity of Rome, spurred the crises of the 3 rd century
-death often seen as the end of Pax Romana