The Five Good Emperors

The Five Good Emperors

Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, and Marcus Aurelius

Nerva (96-98 CE)Nerva (96-98 CE) Appointed emperor by Domitian’s

assassins Swore to never execute a Roman

senator and to deal with senate as a legitmate political body

Spent lavish amounts of money to secure public goodwill, such as tax breaks for the poorest Roman families

Completed many public projects begun by Domitian while actively seeking to destroy his predecessor’s good name

Survived a rebellious abduction by the Praetorian Guard by handing over Domitian’s assassins and adopting Trajan as his heir.

Appointed emperor by Domitian’s assassins

Swore to never execute a Roman senator and to deal with senate as a legitmate political body

Spent lavish amounts of money to secure public goodwill, such as tax breaks for the poorest Roman families

Completed many public projects begun by Domitian while actively seeking to destroy his predecessor’s good name

Survived a rebellious abduction by the Praetorian Guard by handing over Domitian’s assassins and adopting Trajan as his heir.

Trajan (98-117 CE)Trajan (98-117 CE) Took the name Optimus Maximus for

his contributions to the Empire through his victories on the frontier and his respectful treatment of the senate

Increase the amount free food stuffs distributed to the poor

Completed many magnificent and beneficial public works, such a new forum, baths, and a large market

Undertook an overly ambitious war against Parthia with an eye to conquering the entire Mesopotamian region

During his war with the Parthians, his health failed and he died of natural causes while trying to return to Rome.

Took the name Optimus Maximus for his contributions to the Empire through his victories on the frontier and his respectful treatment of the senate

Increase the amount free food stuffs distributed to the poor

Completed many magnificent and beneficial public works, such a new forum, baths, and a large market

Undertook an overly ambitious war against Parthia with an eye to conquering the entire Mesopotamian region

During his war with the Parthians, his health failed and he died of natural causes while trying to return to Rome.

Hadrian (117-138 CE)Hadrian (117-138 CE) Backed off from Trajan’s overly

ambitious expansion policies and sought to explore and understand the existing provinces of the empire

As an author and philosopher, Hadrian supported the arts and the city of Athens as a cultural center of the empire

Completed Hadrian’s Wall, which spanned northern Britain from coast to coast

Traveled the entire empire during his reign

Spent his last several years resisting coup attempts and fighting illness, eventually dying of natural causes after adopting Antoninus Pius as his heir

Backed off from Trajan’s overly ambitious expansion policies and sought to explore and understand the existing provinces of the empire

As an author and philosopher, Hadrian supported the arts and the city of Athens as a cultural center of the empire

Completed Hadrian’s Wall, which spanned northern Britain from coast to coast

Traveled the entire empire during his reign

Spent his last several years resisting coup attempts and fighting illness, eventually dying of natural causes after adopting Antoninus Pius as his heir

Antoninus Pius (138-161 CE)Antoninus Pius (138-161 CE)

Earned his nickname “Pius” with his refusal to put to death those awaiting execution under Hadrian’s rule

Improved the bureaucratic functions of the empire bringing about a prosperous period for the empire

Did not make major changes to Hadrian’s government programs

Ruled from Rome and dealt with rebellions and international crises by delegating responsibility to local governors

Threw a celebration of Rome’s 900th anniversary that were so lavish and expensive he had to debase the currency to pay the costs of the games

Died of natural causes never having left Italy during his reign

Earned his nickname “Pius” with his refusal to put to death those awaiting execution under Hadrian’s rule

Improved the bureaucratic functions of the empire bringing about a prosperous period for the empire

Did not make major changes to Hadrian’s government programs

Ruled from Rome and dealt with rebellions and international crises by delegating responsibility to local governors

Threw a celebration of Rome’s 900th anniversary that were so lavish and expensive he had to debase the currency to pay the costs of the games

Died of natural causes never having left Italy during his reign

Marcus Aurelius (161-180 CE)Marcus Aurelius (161-180 CE)

Ruled over very troubled times for the empire Incessant wars in the

provinces Plague in the east

Eminent philosopher and writer, a true intellectual, he wrote the famous Meditations

Very skilled and interested in law, he earned a reputation as devoted to justice

Devoted to defending the empire, he died from illness contracted on the German frontiers

Ruled over very troubled times for the empire Incessant wars in the

provinces Plague in the east

Eminent philosopher and writer, a true intellectual, he wrote the famous Meditations

Very skilled and interested in law, he earned a reputation as devoted to justice

Devoted to defending the empire, he died from illness contracted on the German frontiers