Rulers of Roman Empire

First triumvirate 60 BCE- Three army generals unite to rule Rome. –Pompey –Crassus –Julius Caesar Caesar becomes consul and commands the Roman legions in Gaul. –Conquers Gaul (France) and England. Pompey gets support from Senate. –Orders Caesar to return home w/out the army. Caesar invades Rome w/ army and defeats Pompey. –Becomes a “hero of the empire.”

Second triumvirate Mark Antony Lepidus Octavian Created by Mark Antony –Falls in love w/ Cleopatra, queen of Egypt Octavian crushes the combined fleet of Antony and Cleopatra.

Octavian 31 BCE- creates the Roman Empire Allows Senate to keep some power, but he would retain sole rulership. Changes name to Augustus –“honored and majestic” Takes title of “Caesar” –“first citizen”

Tiberius AD Augustus’ stepson Plots and violence become common in Roman politics.

Caligula Claudius Cruel and insane Rules for 4 years –Assassinated by his imperial guard AD Restores order to the Roman Empire.

Nero Claudius’ stepson Becomes Emperor at age 17. Becomes bloodthirsty and violent. –Murders own mother for criticizing his mistress. Rome burns in 64 AD. –Nero blames the Christians. Army rebels against him, and he commits suicide.

Vestavia The year after Nero’s death, 2 emperors are assassinated and 1 commits suicide. Chosen by military as emperor of Rome. Restores discipline in the army and the administration of the Empire. –Puts down revolts in Judaea and Gaul.

Nerve Vestavia's sons rule for almost 10 years. Senate chooses Nerva as the new emperor in 96 AD. Establishes the adoptive system. –Adopts a son and declares him the heir to the throne.

Trajan Hadrian AD Adopted son of Nerva. Spanish-born Wise and popular –Eases tax burden. Empire reaches its greatest size AD Devoted to protecting the Empire, rather than expanding it. Creates Palestine out of Jewish territory. –Encourages non-Jews to live there.

Marcus Aurelius Last of the adopted emperors –“Good Emperors” Many border wars with the Germanic tribes Abandons the adoptive system and chooses his own son as the new emperor –Commodus – unfit to rule –End of the Pax Romana