Chronological List of Roman Emporers

The Roman Republic would evolve into the Roman Empire, and democracy would be replaced with Roman Emporers.

The Roman Republic had begun in 509 BC and would last until Caesar Augustus became the first Emporer in 27 BC. However, the individual that ended the republic was not Augustus but Julius Caesar.

Jump to:

• Julius Caesar's Rise to Power
• Julio-Claudian Dynasty - 17 BC - 68 AD

Julius Caesar's Rise to Power

Julius Caesar rose to prominence during the Gallic Wars when he defeated the people of Gaul. The victory helped increase Roman holdings to the west and brought prestige to Julius, who was quickly becoming popular among the people of Rome.

After defeating the Gauls, the Roman Senate ordered Caesar to step down from the army and return to Rome. The popularity and loyalty he had to his men allowed him to defy the order and begin a march toward Rome, which would spark a Civil War.

Caesar's Civil War would pit him against his long-time associate Pompeius Magnus. He would win this war, kill Pompei, and assume command over all of Rome as dictator.

Caesar began a program of social and governmental reforms, including the creation of the Julian calendar. He gave citizenship to many residents of far regions of the Roman Republic.

He initiated land reform and support for veterans. He centralized the bureaucracy of the Republic and was eventually proclaimed "dictator for life."

His populist and authoritarian reforms angered the elites, who began to conspire against him.

His actions would lead to his assassination by his once friend Brutus, who had conspired with Cassius and the Senate. 

Upon his death, a new Roman Civil War broke out, which would be a three-pronged civil war. Octavian vs Marc Antony and Cleopatra vs Brutus and Cassius. Octavian would come out the victor and ascend to become the first Emporer of Rome.

Julio-Claudian Dynasty - 17 BC - 68 AD

	Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD)The first Emporer of Rome began what became known as the Pax Romana. He defeated Brutus, Cicero, Cleopatra, and Marc Antony to become Caesar. Jesus would be born during his reign.
	Tiberius (14 AD - 37 AD) The adopted son of Augustus took the throne after the first empower. He was an accomplished military commander. He was Emporer during the death and resurrection of Jesus.
	Caligula (37 AD - 41 AD) He followed Tiberius and seemed to rule well until his sickness that occurred early in his reign. Despite his expansion of the Roman Empire, he is generally viewed as insane.
	Claudius (41 AD - 54 AD) He proved to be a capable Emporer who expanded the borders again with the successful conquest of Britain. He would indirectly increase the spread of Christianity after expelling them from Jerusalem.
	Nero (54 AD - 68 AD) He was the last of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and was known for his persecution of Christians and sadistic behavior. He burned Rome to the ground and blamed it on the Christians.