The Julio-Claudian Emperors

The Roman Empire

Principal Roman Emperors

Augustus Caesar• 1st emperor of Rome ruled 27 BC-14AD• Lived from 63 BC-14 AD• Birth name: Gaius Octavius Thurinus• Octavian was winner of 18 years’ civil

war• Designated heir of Julius Caesar in his will (grand-nephew of Caesar)• Given the name “Augustus” by the

Senate

• “I found a Rome of bricks; I leave to you a Rome of marble”---last public words, referring to his many building projects.

• Reformed taxation system• Established the PraetorianGuard: bodyguard unit ofthe emperors• Established city firefighting/police brigades• Established an official courier system

• Wrote Res Gestae Divi Augusti: “The Accomplishments of the Divine Augustus”

• Married 3 times, one daughter by his 2nd wife• 3rd wife: Livia Drusilla, theEmpress Livia• Augustus was said to be short, with curly hair “inclining toward golden,” a medium complexion, and a unibrow.

• Died Aug. 19, AD 14

• Last words: “"Have I played the part well? Then applaud as I exit."

Julio-Claudians• Emperors who succeeded Caesar

for 50 years:–Tiberius–Caligula–Claudius–Nero

Tiberius• Step-son of Augustus, named heir in

Augustus’ will• Son of Empress Livia• Lived 42 BC- AD 37• Ruled AD 14-AD 37• Forced by Augustus to divorce his first wife

Vipsania and marry Augustus’ daughter Julia instead (not a happy marriage)

Tiberius• Very successful general during Augustus’

reign in places like Germany• As emperor, Tiberius was not well-liked by

the people or the Senate• He lived his last years on the island of

Capri• His death may have been murder by

suffocation

Caligula• Lived from AD 12- AD 41• Ruled from AD 37-41• Son of Germanicus, Tiberius’ nephew

and adopted son• Germanicus was a popular general• Caligula’s real name: Gaius• caligula= “little boot” (nickname

soldiers gave him as a child)

Caligula• Best remembered for being an an insane

and cruel emperor• Tried to make his horse a consul• Rumored that he committed incest with

his sisters• Was murdered by Cassius Chaerea (a centurion of the Praetorian Guard) and a group of others

Claudius• Lived 10 BC- AD 54• Ruled AD 41- AD 54

• Lame and stuttered, shunned by the royal family• Loved history and writing• Uncle of Caligula• Proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard after Caligula’s assassination

• Married several times: last wife was Agrippina (his niece)• adopted Agrippina’s son Nero as his heir

(over his own son Britannicus)• May have been murdered by his wife

• Very good administrator• Conquered Britain• Many building projects• Tried to add 3 letters to the alphabetFun Fact: Issued an edict promoting passing

gas for good health

Nero• Lived AD 37- AD 68 • Ruled AD 54- AD 68• Grand-nephew and stepson of Claudius• Started his rule well, but became

increasingly cruel and tyrannical• Loved music and the arts• Murdered his step-brother Britannicus and

his own mother Agrippina

• Great Fire of Rome in AD 64: blamed the Christians and killed many of them

• Built his “Golden House” on land claimed after the fire

• Overthrown in AD 68 and committed suicide

• Last words: “What an artist dies in me!”

Year of the 4 EmperorsAD 68- AD 69

• Four men claimed the throne after Nero’s death– Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian• All generals• Vespasian defeated the others and became

emperor• Vespasian founded the Flavian Dynasty