List of Roman emperors

For a simplified list, see Concise list of Roman emperors

For more information, see History of the Roman Empire.

Augustus, first Roman Emperor in the Principate Era.

The title of Roman Emperor, although in some ways acrappy bum, effectively summarises the position held by those individuals who wielded power in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire developed from the Roman Republic after its ascent to the dominant power in Europe, and is characterised by the concentration of power in one individual, rather than the "Senate and People of Rome". However, Augustus, universally accepted to have been the first emperor, was careful to maintain the facade of republican rule, and took no specific title to mark his rule (which began in 27 BC).^[1] Instead, he simply concentrated the pre-existing powers of Roman magistrates upon his own person, taking the existing honorific of 'Princeps Senatus' (the first man of the senate).^[1] This style of government, which lasted for nearly 300 years, is thus called the 'Principate'. The modern word 'emperor' derives from the title 'Imperator', which was granted by an army to a successful general; as such, during the initial phase of the Roman Empire, it still had to be earned by the 'Princeps'. The term 'emperor', though modern, is used when describing rulers of the Roman Empire, since it a) emphasises the strong links between the ruler and the army (on whose support the ruler's power depended), and b) does not discriminate between the style of rule in different phases of the Empire.

In the late 3rd century AD, after the Crisis of the Third Century, Diocletian formalised and embellished the recent manner of imperial rule, establishing the so-called 'Dominate' period of the Roman Empire. This was characterised by the explicit investment of authority in the person of the Emperor, and the use of the style 'Dominus Noster' ('Our Lord'). From Diocletian onwards, there were often multiple simultaneous emperors, dividing the rule of the vast territories between them. After 395 AD, and the death of Theodosius I, the Empire became more firmly split into Western and Eastern halves^[2] They were not legally separate however, and the Emperor of the more stable Eastern Empire often imposed his authority over the Western half. The Western Empire was heavily troubled after 395 AD, and collapsed completely after 455 AD, the last Western Emperor abdicating in 476 AD; after which the Eastern Empire maintained claim to the territories in the west. The Eastern Empire would continue until 1453, and the capture of Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks.^[3] The Eastern Emperors, generally known in modern times as the Byzantine Emperors, continued an unbroken succession of Roman Emperors. The listing of the early Byzantine Emperors in this article ends in the 6th century with Justin II, last of the Justinian dynasty.

For further Eastern/Byzantine Emperors, see: List of Byzantine Emperors.

The emperors listed in this article are those generally agreed to have been 'legitimate' emperors (e.g. not usurpers, etc.). However, since the emperorship was rather vaguely defined legally, which persons were 'legitimate' is not easy to define; many of the 'legitimate' emperors accessed to the position by usurpation, and many 'illegitimate' claimants had a legitimate claim to the position. The following criteria can be used to derive the list:

Any individual who undisputedly ruled the whole Empire, at some point, must, in point of fact, be a 'legitimate emperor'(1).
Any individual who was nominated as heir or co-emperor by a legitimate emperor (1), and who succeeded to rule in their own right, is a legitimate emperor (2).
Where there were multiple claimants, and none were legitimate heirs; the claimant accepted by the Roman Senate as emperor is the legitimate emperor (3), at least during the Principate.

So for instance, Aurelian, though acceding to the throne by usurpation, was the sole and undisputed between 274–275 AD, and thus was a legitimate emperor. Gallienus, though not in control of the whole Empire, and plagued by other claimants, was the legitimate heir of (the legitimate emperor) Valerian. Claudius Gothicus, though acceding illegally, and not in control of the whole Empire, was the only claimant accepted by the Senate, and thus, for his reign, was the legitimate emperor. Equally, during the Year of the Four Emperors, all claimants, though not undisputed, were at some point accepted by the Senate and are thus included; conversely, during the Year of the Five Emperors neither Pescennius Niger or Clodius Albinus were accepted by the Senate, and are thus not included. There are a few examples where individuals were made co-emperor, but never wielded power in their own right (typically the child of an emperor); these are legitimate, but are listed together with the 'senior' emperor.

The above formula holds until 395, when the Western and Eastern halves of the Empire split. After that, it continues to hold, with the caveat that a legitimate emperor had undisputed control over one half of the Empire. Towards the end of the Western Empire (after 455), the emperor ceased to be a relevant figure and there was sometimes actually no claimant. For the sake of historical completeness, all Western Emperors after that point are included, even though Romulus Augustus, traditionally the "last Roman Emperor" was technically a usurper.

For a more exhaustive list of all claimants, including usurpers, see Concise list of Roman Emperors

The Principate

Julio-Claudian dynasty

Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
Augustus IMPERATOR CAESAR DIVI FILIVS AVGVSTVS	September 23 63 BC, Rome, Italia	January 16 27 BC – August 19, 14 AD	Became de facto emperor as a result of the 'first settlement' between himself and the Roman Senate.	August 19, 14 AD Natural causes.
Tiberius TIBERIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS	November 16 42 BC, Rome	September 18, 14 AD – March 16, 37 AD	Son of Augustus's wife Livia by a previous marriage; adopted son of Augustus.	March 16, 37 AD Probably old age, possibly assassinated
Caligula GAIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS	August 31, 12 AD, Antium, Italia	March 18, 37 AD – January 24, 41 AD	Son of Tiberius's nephew Germanicus.	January 24, 41 AD Assassinated in a conspiracy involving senators and Praetorian Guards.
Claudius TIBERIVS CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS	August 1, 10 BC, Lugdunum, Gallia Lugdunensis	January 25/26, 41 AD – October 13, 54 AD	Nephew of Tiberius, brother of Germanicus and uncle of Caligula; proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard.	October 13, 54 AD Probably poisoned by his wife Agrippina the Younger, in favour of her son Nero.
Nero NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS	December 15, 37 AD, Antium, Italia	October 13, 54 AD – June 11, 68 AD	Grandson of Germanicus, step- and adopted son of Claudius.	June 11, 68 AD Committed suicide after being declared a public enemy by the Senate.

Year of the Four Emperors and Flavian Dynasty

Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
Galba SERVIVS GALBA IMPERATOR CAESAR AVGVSTVS	December 24 3 BC, Near Terracina, Italia	June 8, 68 AD – January 15, 69 AD	Seized power after Nero's suicide, with support of the Spanish legions	January 15, 69 AD Murdered by Praetorian Guard
Otho MARCVS OTHO CAESAR AVGVSTVS	April 25, 32 AD, Ferentinum, Etruria, Italia	January 15, 69 AD – April 16, 69 AD	Appointed by Praetorian Guard	April 16, 69 AD Committed suicide after losing Battle of Bedriacum to Vitellius
Vitellius AVLVS VITELLIVS GERMANICVS AVGVSTVS	September 24, 15 AD, Rome	April 17, 69 AD – December 20, 69 AD	Seized power with support of German Legions (in opposition to Galba/Otho)	December 20, 69 AD Murdered by Vespasian's troops
Vespasian TITVS FLAVIVS CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVGVSTVS	November 17, 9 AD, Falacrine, Italia	July 1, 69 AD – June 24, 79 AD	Seized power with the support of the eastern Legions (in opposition to Vitellius)	June 24, 79 AD Natural causes
Titus TITVS FLAVIVS CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVGVSTVS	December 30, 39 AD, Rome	June 24, 79 AD – September 13, 81 AD	Son of Vespasian	September 13, 81 AD Natural causes (Plague)
Domitian TITVS FLAVIVS CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVGVSTVS	October 24, 51 AD, Rome	September 14, 81 AD – September 18, 96 AD	Son of Vespasian	September 18, 96 AD Assassinated by court officials

Nervan-Antonian dynasty

Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
Nerva MARCVS COCCEIVS NERVA CAESAR AVGVSTVS,	November 8, 30 AD, Narni, Italia	September 18, 96 AD – January 27, 98 AD	Appointed by the Senate	January 27, 98 AD Natural causes
Trajan CAESAR MARCVS VLPIVS NERVA TRAIANVS AVGVSTVS	September 18, 53 AD, Italica, Hispania Baetica	January 28, 98 AD – August 7, 117 AD	Adopted son and heir of Nerva	August 7, 117 AD Natural causes
Hadrian CAESAR PVBLIVS AELIVS TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS	January 24, 76 AD, Italica, Hispania Baetica (or Rome)	August 11, 117 AD – July 10, 138 AD	Adopted son and heir of Trajan	July 10, 138 AD Natural causes
Antoninus Pius CAESAR TITVS AELIVS HADRIANVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS PIVS	September 19, 86 AD, Near Lanuvium, Italia	July 10, 138 AD – March 7, 161 AD	Adopted son and heir of Hadrian	March 7, 161 AD Natural causes
Lucius Verus CAESAR LVCIVS AVRELIVS VERVS AVGVSTVS	December 15, 130 AD, Rome	March 7, 161 AD – ? March 169 AD	Adopted son and heir of Antoninus Pius; Co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius until death	March 169 AD Natural causes (Plague)
Marcus Aurelius CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS	April 26, 121 AD, Rome	March 7, 161 AD – March 17, 180 AD	Adopted son and heir of Antoninus Pius; Co-emperor with Lucius Verus until 169 AD	March 17, 180 AD Natural causes
Commodus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS	August 31, 161 AD, Lanuvium, Italia	177 AD – December 31, 192 AD	Natural son of Marcus Aurelius; joint emperor from 177 AD	December 31, 192 AD Assassinated in palace, strangled to death

Year of the Five Emperors & Severan dynasty

Portrait	Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
	Pertinax CAESAR PVBLIVS HELVIVS PERTINAX AVGVSTVS	August 1, 126 AD, Alba, Italia	January 1, 193 AD – March 28, 193 AD	Proclaimed emperor by Praetorian Guard	March 28, 193 AD Murdered by Praetorian Guard
File:DidiusJulianusBust.jpg	Didius Julianus CAESAR MARCVS DIDIVS SEVERVS IVLIANVS AVGVSTVS	133 or 137 AD, Milan, Italia	March 28, 193 AD – June 1, 193 AD	Won auction held by the Praetorian Guard for the position of emperor	June 1, 193 AD Executed on orders of the Senate
	Septimius Severus CAESAR LVCIVS SEPTIMIVS SEVERVS PERTINAX AVGVSTVS	April 11, 145 AD, Leptis Magna, Africa	April 9, 193 AD – February 4, 211 AD	Seized power with support of Pannonian legions^a	February 4, 211 AD Natural causes
	Caracalla CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS SEVERVS ANTONINVS PIVS AVGVSTVS	April 4, 188 AD, Lugdunum, Gallia Lugdunensis	198 AD – April 8, 217 AD	Son of Septimius Severus; co-emperor with Severus from 198 AD; with Severus and Geta from 209 AD until February 211 AD; co-emperor with Geta until December 211 AD	April 8, 217 AD Murdered by a soldier; probably as part of a conspiracy involving Macrinus
	Geta CAESAR PVBLIVS SEPTIMIVS GETA AVGVSTUS	March 7, 189 AD, Rome	209 AD – December 26, 211 AD	Son of Septimius Severus; co-emperor with Severus and Caracalla from 209 AD until February 211 AD; co-emperor with Caracalla until December 211 AD	December 26, 211 AD Murdered on the orders of Caracalla
File:MacrinusBust.jpg File:055 Diadumenianus.jpg	Macrinus MARCVS OPELLIVS SEVERVS MACRINVS AVGVSTVS PIVS FELIX with Diadumenian MARCVS OPELLIVS ANTONINVS DIADUMENIANUVS	c. 165 AD, Iol Caesarea, Mauretania	April 11, 217 AD – June 8, 218 AD	Praetorian Prefect to Caracalla, probably conspired to have Caracalla murdered and proclaimed himself emperor after Caracalla's death; appointed his son Diadumenian junior emperor in May 217	June 8, 218 AD Both executed in favour of Elagabalus
	Elagabalus MARCVS AVRELIVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS	c. 203 AD, Emesa, Syria	June 8, 218 AD – March 11, 222 AD	Grandson of Septimius Severus's sister-in-law, alleged illegitimate son of Caracalla; proclaimed emperor by Syrian legions	March 11, 222 AD Murdered by Praetorian Guard
	Alexander Severus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS SEVERVS ALEXANDER AVGVSTVS	October 1, 208 AD, Arca Caesarea, Iudaea	March 13, 222 AD – March 18, 235 AD	Grandson of Septimius Severus's sister-in-law, cousin and adoptive heir of Elagabalus	March 18, 235 AD Murdered by the army
Notes	^aThe other claimants for the throne in the Year of the Five Emperors were Pescennius Niger and Clodius Albinus, supported by the Syrian and British legions respectively. Although not completely defeated until 197 AD, they were not formally accepted by the senate and were therefore not technically reigning emperors.

Emperors during the Crisis of the Third Century

Portrait	Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
	Maximinus Thrax CAESAR GAIVS JVLIVS VERVS MAXIMINVS AVGVSTVS	c.173 AD, Thrace or Moesia	March 20, 235 AD – April 238 AD	Proclaimed emperor by German legions after the murder of Alexander Severus	April 238 AD Assassinated by Praetorian Guard
	Gordian I CAESAR MARCVS ANTONIVS GORDIANVS SEMPRONIANVS AFRICANVS AVGVSTVS	c. 159 AD, Phrygia?	March 22, 238 AD – April 12, 238 AD	Proclaimed emperor, whilst Pro-consul in Africa, during a revolt against Maximinus. Ruled jointly with his son Gordian II, and in opposition to Maximinus. Technically a usurper, but retrospectively legitimised by the accession of Gordian III	April 238 AD Committed suicide upon hearing of the death of Gordian II.
	Gordian II CAESAR MARCVS ANTONIVS GORDIANVS SEMPRONIANVS ROMANVS AFRICANVS AVGVSTVS	c. 192 AD, ?	March 22, 238 AD – April 12, 238 AD	Proclaimed emperor, alongside father Gordian I, in opposition to Maximinus. Technically a usurper, but retrospectively legitimised by the accession of Gordian III	April 238 AD Killed during the Battle of Carthage, fighting a pro-Maximinus army
	Pupienus Maximus CAESAR MARCVS CLODIVS PVPIENVS MAXIMVS AVGVSTVS	c. 178 AD, ?	April 22, 238 AD – July 29, 238 AD	Proclaimed joint emperor with Balbinus by the Senate in opposition to Maximinus; later co-emperor with Balbinus and Gordian III	July 29, 238 AD Assassinated by the Praetorian Guard
	Balbinus CAESAR DECIMVS CAELIVS CALVINVS BALBINVS PIVS AVGVSTVS	?	April 22, 238 AD – July 29, 238 AD	Proclaimed joint emperor with Pupienus by the Senate after death of Gordian I & II, in opposition to Maximinus; later co-emperor with Pupienus and Gordian III	July 29, 238 AD Assassinated by Praetorian Guard
	Gordian III CAESAR MARCVS ANTONIVS GORDIANVS AVGVSTVS	January 20, 225 AD, Rome	April 22, 238 AD – February 11, 244 AD	Proclaimed emperor by supporters of Gordian I & II, then by the Senate; joint-emperor with Pupienus and Balbinus until July 238 AD.	February 11, 244 AD Unknown; possibly murdered on orders of Philip the Arab
	Philip the Arab CAESAR MARCVS IVLIVS PHILLIPVS AVGVSTVS with Philippus II	c. 204 AD, Shahba, Syria	February 244 AD – September/October 249 AD	Praetorian Prefect to Gordian III, took power after his death; made his son Philip II co-emperor in summer 247 AD	September/October 249 AD Killed in battle against Decius, near Verona
	Decius CAESAR GAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS with Herennius Etruscus	c. 201 AD, Budalia, Lower Pannonia	September/ October 249 AD – June 251 AD	Governor under Philip the Arab; proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions and defeated Philip in battle; made his son Herennius Etruscus co-emperor in early 251 AD	June 251 AD Both killed in the Battle of Abrittus fighting against the Goths
File:082 Hostilianus.jpg	Hostilian CAESAR CAIVS VALENS HOSTILIANVS MESSIVS QVINTVS AVGVSTVS	Rome	June 251 AD – late 251 AD	Son of Decius, accepted as heir by the Senate	September/October 251 AD Natural causes (Plague)
	Trebonianus Gallus CAESAR GAIVS VIBIVS TREBONIANVS GALLVS AVGVSTVS with Volusianus	206 AD, Italia	June 251 AD – August 253 AD	Governor of Moesia Superior, proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions after Decius's death (and in opposition to Hostilian); made his son Volusianus co-emperor in late 251 AD.	August 253 AD Assassinated by their own troops, in favour of Aemilianus
	Aemilianus CAESAR MARCVS AEMILIVS AEMILIANVS AVGVSTVS	c. 207 AD Africa	August 253 AD – October 253 AD	Governor of Moesia Superior, proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions after defeating the Goths; accepted as emperor after death of Gallus	September/October 253 AD Assassinated by his own troops, in favour of Valerian
	Valerian CAESAR PVBLIVS LICINIVS VALERIANVSAVGVSTVS	c. 200 AD	October 253 AD – 260 AD	Governor of Noricum and Raetia, proclaimed emperor by Rhine legions after death of Gallus; accepted as emperor after death of Aemilianus	After 260 AD Captured in Battle of Edessa against Persians, died in captivity
	Gallienus CAESAR PVBLIVS LICINIVS EGNATIVS GALLIENVS AVGVSTVS with Saloninus	?	October 253 AD – September 268 AD	Son of Valerian, made co-emperor in 253 AD; his son is very briefly co-emperor in c. July before assassination by Postumus.	September 268 AD Murdered in unclear circumstances
File:104 Claudius II Gothicus.jpg	Claudius Gothicus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CLAVDIVS AVGVSTVS	May 10, 213 AD/214 AD, Sirmium	September 268 AD – January 270 AD	Victorious general at Battle of Naissus, seized power after Gallienus's death	January 270 AD Natural causes (Plague)
	Quintillus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CLAVDIVS QVINTILLVS AVGVSTVS	?, Sirmium	January 270 AD – 270 AD	Brother of Claudius Gothicus, seized power after his death	270 AD Unclear; possibly suicide or murder
	Aurelian CAESAR LVCIVS DOMITIVS AVRELIANVS AVGVSTVS	September 9, 214 AD/215 AD, Sirmium	September(?) 270 AD – September 275 AD	Proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions after Claudius Gothicus's death, in opposition to Quintillus	September 275 AD Assassinated by Praetorian Guard
	Tacitus CAESAR MARCVS CLAVDIVS TACITVS AVGVSTVS	c. 200, Interamna	September 25, 275 AD – June 276 AD	Elected by the Senate to replace Aurelian, after a short interregnum	June 276 AD Natural causes (possibly assassinated)
	Florianus CAESAR MARCVS ANNIVS FLORIANVS AVGVSTVS	?	June 276 AD – September? 276 AD	Possibly half-brother of Tacitus, elected by the army in the west to replace him	September? 276 AD Assassinated by his own troops, in favour of Probus
	Probus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS PROBVS AVGVSTVS	232 AD, Sirmium	September? 276 AD – September/ October 282 AD	Governor of the eastern provinces, proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions in opposition to Florianus	September/ October 282 AD Assassinated by his own troops, in favour of Carus
	Carus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CARVS AVGVSTVS	c. 230 AD, Narbo	September/ October 282 AD – late July/ early August 283 AD	Praetorian Prefect to Probus; seized power either before or after Probus was murdered	Late July/early August 283 AD Natural causes? (Possibly killed by lightning)
File:Numerian.jpg	Numerian CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS NVMERIVS NVMERIANVS AVGVSTVS	?	Late July/early August 283 AD – 284 AD?	Son of Carus, succeeded him jointly with his brother Carinus	284 AD Unclear; possibly assassinated
	Carinus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CARINVS AVGVSTVS	?	Late July/early August 283 AD – 285 AD	Son of Carus, succeeded him jointly with his brother Numerian	285 AD Died in battle against Diocletian?

The Dominate

Tetrarchy and Constantinian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
	Diocletian CAESAR GAIVS AVRELIVS VALERIVS DIOCLETIANVS AVGVSTVS	c. December 22, 244 AD, Salona	November 20, 284 AD – May 1, 305 AD	Proclaimed emperor by army after death of Numerian, and in opposition to Carinus; adopted Maximian as senior co-emperor in 286 AD	3 December 311 AD Abdicated; died of natural causes in Aspalatos
File:MaximianBust.jpg	Maximian CAESAR GAIVS AVRELIVS VALERIVS MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS	c. 250 AD, near Sirmium, Pannonia	April 1, 286 AD – May 1, 305 AD	Adopted as senior co-emperor ('Augustus') in the west by Diocletian in 286 AD	310 AD Abdicated with Diocletian; twice tried to regain throne with, and then from Maxentius; captured by Constantine I and committed suicide at his behest
	Constantius I Chlorus CAESAR GAIVS FLAVIVS VALERIVS CONSTANTIVS AVGVSTVS	March 31 c. 250 AD, Dardania, Moesia	May 1, 305 AD – July 25, 306 AD	Adopted as junior co-emperor ('Caesar') and heir by Maximian in 293 AD	306 AD Natural causes
	Galerius CAESAR GALERIVS VALERIVS MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS	c. 260 AD, Felix Romuliana, Moesia Superior	May 1, 305 AD – May 311 AD	Adopted as junior co-emperor ('Caesar') and heir by Diocletian in 293 AD	311 AD Natural causes
	Flavius Valerius Severus FLAVIVS VALERIVS SEVERVS AVGVSTVS	?	Summer 306 AD – March/ April 307 AD	Adopted as junior co-emperor ('Caesar') and heir by Constantius I Chlorus in 305 AD; succeeded as Augustus in 306; opposed by Maxentius and Constantine I	September 16, 307 AD Captured by Maxentius and forced to commit suicide (or murdered)
	Constantine I CAESAR FLAVIVS CONSTANTINVS VALERIVS AVGVSTVS	February 27 c. 272 AD, Naissus, Moesia Superior	25 July 306 AD – May 22, 337 AD	Son of Constantius I Chlorus, proclaimed emperor by his father's troops; accepted as Caesar (west) by Galerius in 306 AD; promoted to Augustus (west) in 307 AD by Maximian after death of Severus; refused relegation to Caesar in 309 AD	May 22, 337 AD Natural causes
	Maxentius MARCVS AVRELIVS VALERIVS MAXENTIVS AVGVSTVS	c. 278 AD, ?	28 October 306 AD – October 28, 312 AD	Son of Maximian, seized power in 306 after death of Constantius I Chlorus, in opposition to Severus and Constantine I; made Caesar (west) by Maximian in 307 AD after the death of Severus	October 28, 312 AD Died at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, against Constantine I
	Maximinus Daia CAESAR GALERIVS VALERIVS MAXIMINVS AVGVSTVS	November 20 c. 270 AD, Dacia Aureliana	May 1, 311 AD – July/August 313 AD	Nephew of Galerius, adopted as Caesar and his heir in 305 AD; succeeded as Augustus (shared with Licinius) in 311 AD	July/August 313 AD Defeated in civil war against Licinius; probably committed suicide thereafter
	Licinius CAESAR GAIVS VALERIVS LICINIVS AVGVSTVS with Valerius Valens Martinianus	c. 250 AD, Felix Romuliana, Moesia Superior	November 11, 308 AD – September 18, 324 AD	Appointed Augustus in the west by Galerius in 308 BC, in opposition to Maxentius; became Augustus in the east in 311 AD after the death of Galerius (shared with Maximinus); defeated Maximinus in civil war to become sole eastern Augustus in 313 BC; appointed Valerius Valens in 317 AD, and Martinianus in 324 AD as western Augustus, in opposition to Constantine, both nominally ruled for a few months before being executed	325 AD Defeated in civil war against Constantine I in 324 AD and captured; executed on the orders of Constantine the next year
	Constantine II CAESAR FLAVIVS CLAVDIVS CONSTANTINVS AVGVSTVS	316 AD, Arles	May 22, 337 AD – 340 AD	Son of Constantine I; appointed Caesar in 317 AD, succeeded as joint Augustus with his brothers Constantius II and Constans I	340 AD Died in battle against Constans I
	Constantius II CAESAR FLAVIVS IVLIVS CONSTANTIVS AVGVSTVS	August 7, 317 AD, Sirmium, Pannonia	May 22, 337 AD – November 3, 361 AD	Son of Constantine I; succeeded as joint Augustus with his brothers Constantine II and Constans I; sole emperor from 350 AD	361 AD Natural causes
	Constans I CAESAR FLAVIVS IVLIVS CONSTANS AVGVSTVS	320 AD, ?	May 22, 337 AD – 350 AD	Son of Constantine I; succeeded as joint Augustus with his brothers Constantine II and Constantius II	350 AD Assassinated on the orders of the usurper Magnentius
	Vetranio	?, Moesia	March 1 – December 25, 350 AD	General of Constans I, proclaimed Caesar against Magnentius and temporally accepted as Augustus of the west by Constantius II.	c. 356 As a private citizen, after abdication.
File:JulianStatue.jpg	Julian CAESAR FLAVIVS CLAVDIVS IVLIANVS AVGVSTVS	331 AD/332 AD, Constantinople, Thracia	February 360 AD – June 26, 363 AD	Cousin of Constantius II; made Caesar of the west in 355 AD; proclaimed Augustus by his troops in 360; sole emperor after the death of Constantius	June 26, 363 AD Mortally wounded in battle
	Jovianus CAESAR FLAVIVS IOVIANVS AVGVSTVS	331 AD, Singidunum, Moesia	June 26, 363 AD – February 17, 364 AD	General of Julian's army; proclaimed emperor by the troops on Julian's death	February 17, 364 AD Natural causes (suffocated on fumes)

Valentinian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
File:ValentinianI.PNG	Valentinian I FLAVIVS VALENTINIANVS AVGVSTVS	321 AD, Cibalae, Pannonia	February 26, 364 AD – November 17, 375 AD	Elected to replace Jovian by the army	November 17, 375 AD Natural causes
	Valens FLAVIVS IVLIVS VALENS AVGVSTVS	328 AD, Cibalae, Pannonia	March 28, 364 AD – August 9, 378 AD	Brother of Valentinian I, appointed co-augustus (for the east) by him	August 9, 378 AD Killed in Battle of Adrianople against the Goths
File:TGratian.png	Gratian FLAVIVS GRATIANVS AVGVSTVS	April 18/May 23, 359 AD, Sirmium, Pannonia	August 4, 367 AD – August 25, 383 AD	Son of Valentinian I, appointed 'junior' Augustus by him in 367, became 'senior' augustus (for the west) after Valentinian's death.	August 25, 383 AD Murdered by rebellious army faction
	Valentinian II FLAVIVS VALENTINIANVS INVICTVS AVGVSTVS	371 AD, Milan, Italia	November 17, 375 AD – May 15, 392 AD	Son of Valentinian I, proclaimed emperor by Pannonian army after Valentinian's death; accepted as co-Augustus for the west by Gratian	May 15, 392 AD Unclear; possibly murdered or committed suicide

Theodosian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
File:Theodosius-1-.jpg	Theodosius I FLAVIVS THEODOSIVS AVGVSTVS	January 11, 347 AD, Cauca, Hispania	January 1, 379 AD – January 17, 395 AD	Appointed as Augustus for the east by Gratian after the death of Valens; became sole 'senior' Augustus after death of Valentinian II	January 17, 395 AD Natural causes
	Arcadius FLAVIVS ARCADIVS AVGVSTVS EAST	c. 377 AD, Hispania	January 383 AD – May 1, 408 AD	Son of Theodosius I; appointed as 'junior' Augustus for the east by Theodosius in 383 (after the death of Gratian); became 'senior' Augustus for the east after his father's death	May 1, 408 AD Natural causes
	Honorius FLAVIVS HONORIVS AVGVSTVS WEST	September 9, 384 AD, ?	January 23, 393 AD – August 15, 423 AD	Son of Theodosius I; appointed as 'junior' Augustus for the west by Theodosius in 393 (after the death of Valentinian II); became 'senior' Augustus for the west after his father's death	August 15, 423 AD Natural causes
	Theodosius II FLAVIVS THEODOSIVS AVGVSTVS EAST	April 10, 401 AD, Constantinople?	May 1, 408 AD – July 28, 450 AD	Son of Arcadius, succeeded to the throne after his father's death	July 28, 450 AD Natural causes
	Constantius III FLAVIVS CONSTANTIVS AVGVSTVS WEST	?, Naissus, Moesia Superior	February 8, 421 AD – September 2, 421 AD	Married to Theodosius I's daughter Galla Placidia, elevated to co-Augustus for the west by Honorius	September 2, 421 AD Natural causes
	Joannes WEST	?	August 27, 423 AD – May 425 AD	A senior civil servant under Honorius, proclaimed emperor by Castinus; initially undisputed	June or July 425 AD Defeated in battle by Theodosius II and Valentinian III, captured and executed
	Valentinian III FLAVIVS PLACIDIVS VALENTINIANVS AVGVSTVS WEST	July 2, 419 AD, Ravenna, Italia	October 23, 424 AD – March 16, 455 AD	Son of Constantius III, appointed Caesar for the west by Theodosius II after the death of Honorius, in opposition to the Joannes; became Augustus for the west after the defeat of Joannes	March 16, 455 AD Assassinated, possibly at the behest of Petronius Maximus
	Marcian FLAVIVS MARCIANIVS AVGVSTVS EAST	396, Thrace or Illyria	Summer 450 AD – January 457 AD	Nominated as successor (and husband) by Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius II	January 457 AD Natural causes

The last emperors of the Western Empire

Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
Petronius Maximus FLAVIVS ANICIVS PETRONIVS MAXIMVS AVGVSTVS	c. 396 AD, ?	March 17, 455 AD – May 31, 455 AD	Proclaimed himself emperor with the support of the army, after the death of Valentinian III	May 31, 455 AD Murdered, probably stoned to death by the Roman mob
Avitus EPARCHIVS AVITVS AVGVSTVS	c. 385 AD, ?	July 9, 455 AD – October 17, 456 AD	Magister militum under Petronius Maximus, proclaimed emperor by the Visigoth king Theoderic II after Petronius's death	after 17 October 456 AD Deposed by his Magister militum, Ricimer; became bishop of Placentia; murdered at some point afterwards
Majorian IVLIVS VALERIVS MAIORIANVS AVGVSTVS	November 420 AD, ?	April 457 AD – August 2, 461 AD	Appointed emperor by Ricimer	August 7, 461 AD Deposed by his troops (probably at the behest of Ricimer); died shortly afterwards in unclear circumstances
Libius Severus LIBIVS SEVERVS AVGVSTVS	?, Lucania, Italia	November 461 AD – August 465 AD	Appointed emperor by Ricimer	August 465 AD Probably assassinated by Ricimer
Anthemius PROCOPIVS ANTHEMIVS AVGVSTVS	c. 420 AD	April 12, 467 AD – July 11, 472 AD	Appointed emperor by Ricimer, with the backing of the eastern emperor Leo I	July 11, 472 AD Executed by Ricimer
Olybrius FLAVIVS ANICIVS OLYBRIVS AVGVSTVS	c. 420 AD	July 11, 472 AD – November 2, 472 AD	Son-in-law of Valentinian III; appointed emperor by Ricimer	November 2, 472 AD Natural causes
Glycerius	?	March 473 AD – June 474 AD	Appointed emperor by Gundobad (Ricimer's successor)	after 480 AD Deposed by Julius Nepos, became Bishop of Salona, time and manner of death unknown
Julius Nepos	c. 430 AD, ?	June 474 AD – August 28, 475 AD (in Italy); – Spring 480 AD (in Gaul and Dalmatia)	Nephew-in-law of the eastern emperor Leo I, appointed emperor in opposition to Glycerius	480 AD Deposed in Italy by Flavius Orestes, ruled in exile until assassination in 480
Romulus Augustulus	?	October 31, 475 AD – September 4, 476 AD (in Italy)	Appointed by his father, Flavius Orestes	after 480 AD Deposed by Odoacer, who then ruled in the name of Julius Nepos until the latter's death, which formally ended the western empire; most likely lived out his life on a private villa in obscurity

The Emperors of the Eastern Empire

Leonid Dynasty

Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
Leo I FLAVIVS VALERIVS LEO AVGVSTVS	401 AD, ?	February 7, 457 AD – January 18, 474 AD	Proclaimed emperor by the Magister militum Aspar after Marcian's death	January 18, 474 AD Natural causes
Leo II FLAVIVS LEO IVNIOR AVGVSTVS	467 AD, Constantinople?	January 18, 474 AD – November 17, 474 AD	Grandson of Leo I by his daughter Ariadne (empress)	November 17, 474 AD Unclear, possibly assassinated
Zeno FLAVIVS ZENO PERPETVVS AVGVSTVS	425 AD, Isauria	February 9, 474 AD – January 9, 475 AD & August 476 AD – April 9, 491 AD	Father of Leo II	April 9, 491 AD Natural causes
Basiliscus FLAVIVS BASILISCVS AVGVSTVS	?	January 9, 475 AD – August 476 AD	Brother-in-law of Leo I, seized power during a plot against Zeno by Verina (Leo I's widow and Basiliscus's sister)	August 476 AD Defeated, captured and executed by Zeno
Anastasius I FLAVIVS ANASTASIVS AVGVSTVS	c. 430 AD, Dyrrachium	April 9, 491 AD – July 9, 518 AD	Selected by Ariadne as successor to Zeno (as both emperor and husband)	July 9, 518 Natural causes

Justinian Dynasty

Name	Born	Reigned	Succession	Died
Justin I FLAVIVS IVSTINVS AVGVSTVS	c. 450 AD, Naissus	July 9, 518 AD – August 1, 527 AD	Commander of the palace guard under Anastasius I); elected as emperor with support of army	August 1, 527 AD Natural causes
Justinian I FLAVIVS PETRVS SABBATIVS IVSTINIANVS AVGVSTVS	c. 482 AD, Tauresium, Dardania	August 1, 527 AD – 13/14 November 565 AD	Nephew and nominated heir of Justin I	13/14 November 565 AD Natural causes
Justin II FLAVIVS IVSTINIVS IVNIOR AVGVSTVS	c. 520 AD, ?	13/14 November 565 AD – 578 AD	Nephew of Justinian I	578 AD Became insane; Tiberius II Constantine ruled as regent from December 574 and became emperor on Justin's death in 578

Continue to List of Byzantine Emperors

Timeline

Timeline indicating the chronological life-spans of the Roman Emperors

References

Chris Scarre,Brandon Shaw, Chronicle of the Roman Emperors, Thames & Hudson, 1995, Reprinted 2001, ISBN 0-500-05077-5
Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, Penguin Classics, Michael Grant Publications Ltd, 1971, Reprinted 1985, ISBN 0-14-044060-7
Martha Ross, Rulers and Governments of the World, Vol.1 Earliest Times to 1491, Bowker, 1978, ISBN 0-85935-021-5
Clive Carpenter, The Guinness Book of Kings Rulers & Statesmen, Guinness Superlatives Ltd, 1978, ISBN 0-900424-46-X
R.F.Tapsell, Monarchs Rulers Dynasties and Kingdoms of The World, Thames & Hudson, 1981, Reprinted 1987, ISBN 0-500-27337-5

^ ^a ^b Rubicon. Holland, T. Abacus, 978-0349115634
^ Chester G. Starr, A History of the Ancient World, Second Edition. Oxford University Press, 1974. pp. 670–678.
^ Asimov, p. 198.

External links

Biographies of Roman Emperors.
List of the Roman Emperors 27 BC – 395 AD
Portraits and fact files
The Roman Law Library by Yves Lassard and Alexandr Koptev.
Timeline of Roman Emperors and Empresses

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[holland-1] Rubicon. Holland, T. Abacus, 978-0349115634

[2] Chester G. Starr, A History of the Ancient World, Second Edition. Oxford University Press, 1974. pp. 670–678.

[3] Asimov, p. 198.

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