Name:_______________________
Block:________
Directions: Read the following descriptions of the Roman Emperors from 37 AD to 180 AD. Then rank
them as “Good Emperors, or “Bad Emperors” based on their actions.
Good Emperors (5)
Bad Emperors (3)
Roman Emperors 37 AD – 117 AD
Caligula: 37 AD – 41 AD
Caligula was born with the name, Gaius Caesar Germanicus. As a boy he accompanied his father,
Germanicus, on military campaigns. He wore a uniform with a small pair of boots to match the men in
the army. He was given the nickname Caligula, meaning “little boots,” and the name stuck with him.
When Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, died, he named his step-son Tiberius as his heir. However,
he knew the public would not like him, and ordered him to adopt Caligula, and name him the future
heir. Tiberius named Caligula Emperor in his will. His great-great grandfather was Julius Caesar, and
great-grandfather was Augustus. He came from a long line of emperors, and therefore was an obvious
choice to follow Tiberius. Tiberius adopted the boy, but treated him like a prisoner.
As a boy, Caligula took his emotions out of others. He enjoyed watching public executions and
prisoners being tortured. The public did not know about Caligula’s past-times. When Tiberius died, they
were ecstatic that Caligula would take his place. In the beginning of his reign, Caligula was a very
generous emperor. He freed citizens who had been unjustly imprisoned by Tiberius, and eliminated
many unfair taxes. He staged lavish events for the public to attend, such as chariot races, boxing
matches, plays, and gladiator shows. Six months into his rule, he fell ill, when he recovered he was not
the same.
Caligula developed insomnia, which left him unstable. He began having political rivals murdered
as their parents watched the execution. He declared he was a living God, and ordered a bridge to be
built between his palace and the Temple of Jupiter so he could consult with the deity.
On January 24th, 41 AD, Caligula was attacked by his guards following a sporting event. He was
stabbed 30 times, and killed. The guards killed his wife and daughter, and buried them in shallow graves.
All statues of him were destroyed.
Nero 54-68 AD
Nero was born with the name, Lucius Domitius Ahenbarbus. His father died early in his life. His
mother married the Emperor Claudius, who adopted him, and raised him as his son. When Claudius
died, he named Nero to the throne. His name was changed in order to “create” a lineage between Nero
and Augustus.
Nero set the tone of his reign early. He took the throne at just 17 years old. His mother tried to
control his policies, so he had her killed. Although he was harsh with his counsel, he was considered a
positive ruler of Rome, early in his reign. He eliminated capital punishment, lowered taxes, and allowed
slaves to bring complaints against their masters. He donated money to the arts and athletics, especially
gladiator entertainment.
In 62 AD he created very harsh treason laws. If he felt someone was a threat to his power, he
claimed they were treasonous and had them killed. During his reign Christianity began to become a
popular religion in the Empire. He had any Christian he found killed. In 64 AD, Rome was plagued with a
massive fire. Nero used this as an excuse to build a massive golden palace.
His harsh laws and massive spending lead those close to him to plan a replace him. When Nero
uncovered the conspiracy, he forced the men involved to commit suicide, including his former teacher.
The backlash if the massive campaign caused much unrest in the Empire. Nero killed himself in June of
68 AD.
Domitian 81-96 AD
After Nero’s death four different Emperors rapidly succeeded one another. When his brother,
Titus, one of these Emperors died, Domitian declared himself the heir. Domitian preferred solitude to
the company of others, and distrusted those around him, constantly fearing a conspiracy. Because of
this he ruled as a dictator.
During his reign he invented a new method of torture. He had his victims slowly burned so that
they would speak. He feared the power of Stoics and Jews, and therefore had them killed.
Domitian was a patron of the arts. He finished building the Coliseum, and constructed several
temples and an imperial palace. He improved the lives of soldiers in the army, and extended the reach of
the empire. He insisted that people call him “master and god.” He had anyone who defied him killed
brutally. Because of his brutality, his council had slaves stab him to death in 96 AD
Nerva 96-98 BCE
Nerva began the practice of adopting an heir, rather than being forced to select a blood relative
to succeed the emperor. He was a senator during the reign of Domitian. He declared that he would end
the tradition of executing members of the Senate. He released those who had been imprisoned under
Domitian, and allowed all those he had exiled during his reign.
Nerva selected a commission of 5 senators to balance Rome’s budget. He reduced spending on
extravagant games and races. The empire granted loans to farmers, and gave land to the poor to elevate
the unemployment in Rome.
Nerva’s reign was short-lived. He had not prosecuted those who had murdered Domitian. Those
who were angry at this took Neva hostage. The emperor handed over those guilty of the murder, and
made a speech declaring that they had committed treason.
Nerva suffered a stroke in January of 98 AD. He had adopted Traianus, and declared that he
would be his heir. This was the first time an heir was chosen who was not related by blood
Trajan 98-117 AD
Trajan had been adopted by Nerva, and named his successor. He spent most of his life serving in
the Roman military. He began his career with a good relationship with the Senate. He accomplished
many reforms without opposition. He quickly set up many civil works projects to employ Romans. He
also continued to help destitute citizens. He made sure the poor children of Rome were fed and
educated.
Trajan most noteworthy accomplishments were his military campaigns. Under Trajan, the
Roman empire reached its greatest extent.
He became ill, and died in 117 AD of heart failure. He named his nephew, Hadrian his heir. He
had adopted him after his father’s death
Hadrian 117-138 AD
Hadrian’s first act as Emperor was to re-distribute the money of Rome, paying his soldiers an
extra bonus. He also cancelled all debts to those who had borrowed money from the treasury. He
promised that he would never unjustly punish any member of the Senate, in order to gain their
approval. Throughout his reign, he made every effort to show the common people that he was no
different from them. When he launched military campaigns, he would each the same food as his
soldiers, and walk on foot with them rather than on horseback. He believed that emperors should be
obeyed out of love rather than fear.
In order to stay modest, he refused to put his name on his building projects. He was a gifted
architect, but he put others names on his projects. Hadrian is responsible for building the Pantheon, an
extremely important building which still influences architects today.
He made changes to slavery laws, forbidding people to kill their slaves or force them to become
gladiators. He outlawed labor-camps, and forbid a master to kill all of his slaves if one committed
murder.
Hadrian had a 117 KM wall built across northern Britain, at the northern part of the Empire, and
had a fort built every four miles. This protected Rome’s northern border. It also facilitated the
movement of messages and troops.
At the end of his reign, he began to lose control of the Senate. His tolerant tactics began to
become more brutal as his Senate began to defy him. He became ill, and named the next two emperors
that would serve after him. He died in 138 AD.
Antoninus Pius 138-161 AD
Hadrian had adopted Antoninus Pius, and named him heir. He served most of his career in the
Roman Senate. The beginning of his career and Emperor was spent fighting rebellions of the Jews,
Achaeans, and Egyptians. He agreed that he would not assassinate any Senators during his reign. Like his
predecessors, he gave money to the army and the people. He founded an order for poor girls to help
them. He brought peace and prosperity to Rome. In 161 AD, he died from food poisoning. He had
adopted, and named Marcus Aurelius as his heir.
Marcus Aurelius 161 – 180 AD
Marcus Aurelius was chosen to be heir by Hadrian. When his adopted father, Antonous Pius was
emperor, he learned everything about the government. He jointly ruled with his brother, Verus. The
reign was marked by disease and war. However, with joint regency, one could fight while the other held
Rome. Verus died in 169 AD.
He continued to put down rebellions across the Empire. He brought the empire to the height of
its economic prosperity.
Upon his death in 180 AD, his son took control of the empire.