Expository on The Roman Empire’s Emperors
The Roman Empire began around 31 BC, after Octavian Thurinus defeated Marcus Antonius at the Battle of Actium. Octavian was the nephew and heir of late Julius Caesar, and so inherited the power, and with a new title, became Emperor Augustus Caesar. He was considered the best emperor Rome ever had, and had secured Roman borders, started major building projects, and started the Pax Romana, a time of peace that lasted 200 years. When he had died, his adopted son Tiberius took the throne. Tiberius Caesar was a less qualified emperor, and didn’t even want the throne. He was a noted general, but politics were considered beyond him. After his death, Caligula took the throne. He was considered one of the …show more content…
Titus was emperor during the disaster at Pompeii, and the burning of Rome. He was noted for handling both events very well, and when he died, his brother Domitian became emperor, and rebuilt Rome. Domitian also expanded the borders, and stabilized the Roman economy. It is rumored that Domitian poisoned his brother, Titus, for having an affair with his wife. These were rumors spread at the time, but Domitian denied all of them. Domitian loved games, and encouraged them at the Roman Colosseum. He even added a new game, where the basement of the Colosseum was flooded, and ships placed inside for battles. This game was known as naumachia. Domitian constantly tried to be known for military prowess, despite having no experience in the matter. He would start battles against other civilizations in Germany, and even gave his army a raise.
After the death of Domitian, there began the Nervan-Antonin Dynasty, which contained what was known as ‘The Five Good Emperors’. These started with Domitian’s advisor, Nerva, becoming emperor. After him was Trajan, then Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and finally Marcus Aurelius. Marcus was considered the last good emperor, and none after him quite met the standards set by these five
The Roman Empire began around 31 BC, after Octavian Thurinus defeated Marcus Antonius at the Battle of Actium. Octavian was the nephew and heir of late Julius Caesar, and so inherited the power, and with a new title, became Emperor Augustus Caesar. He was considered the best emperor Rome ever had, and had secured Roman borders, started major building projects, and started the Pax Romana, a time of peace that lasted 200 years. When he had died, his adopted son Tiberius took the throne. Tiberius Caesar was a less qualified emperor, and didn’t even want the throne. He was a noted general, but politics were considered beyond him. After his death, Caligula took the throne. He was considered one of the …show more content…
Titus was emperor during the disaster at Pompeii, and the burning of Rome. He was noted for handling both events very well, and when he died, his brother Domitian became emperor, and rebuilt Rome. Domitian also expanded the borders, and stabilized the Roman economy. It is rumored that Domitian poisoned his brother, Titus, for having an affair with his wife. These were rumors spread at the time, but Domitian denied all of them. Domitian loved games, and encouraged them at the Roman Colosseum. He even added a new game, where the basement of the Colosseum was flooded, and ships placed inside for battles. This game was known as naumachia. Domitian constantly tried to be known for military prowess, despite having no experience in the matter. He would start battles against other civilizations in Germany, and even gave his army a raise.
After the death of Domitian, there began the Nervan-Antonin Dynasty, which contained what was known as ‘The Five Good Emperors’. These started with Domitian’s advisor, Nerva, becoming emperor. After him was Trajan, then Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and finally Marcus Aurelius. Marcus was considered the last good emperor, and none after him quite met the standards set by these five