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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
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