1. The Julio-Claudian Emperors

2. The Roman Empire

3. Principal Roman Emperors

4. Augustus Caesar 1st emperor of Rome ruled 27 BC-14AD
Lived from 63 BC-14 AD
Birth name: Gaius Octavius Thurinus
Octavian was winner of 18 years’ civil war
Designated heir of Julius Caesar in
his will (grand-nephew of Caesar)
Given the name “Augustus” by the Senate

5. “I found a Rome of bricks; I leave to you a Rome of marble”---last public words, referring to his many building projects.
Reformed taxation system
Established the Praetorian
Guard: bodyguard unit of
the emperors
Established city firefighting/
police brigades
Established an official courier
system

6. Wrote Res Gestae Divi Augusti: “The Accomplishments of the Divine Augustus”
Married 3 times, one daughter by
his 2nd wife
3rd wife: Livia Drusilla, the
Empress Livia
Augustus was said to be short,
with curly hair “inclining toward golden,” a medium complexion, and a unibrow. 

7. Died Aug. 19, AD 14
Last words: “"Have I played
the part well? Then applaud
as I exit."

8. Julio-Claudians Emperors who succeeded Caesar for 50 years: Tiberius
Caligula
Claudius
Nero

9. Tiberius Step-son of Augustus, named heir in Augustus’ will
Son of Empress Livia
Lived 42 BC- AD 37
Ruled AD 14-AD 37
Forced by Augustus to divorce his first wife Vipsania and marry Augustus’ daughter Julia instead (not a happy marriage)

10. Tiberius
Very successful general during Augustus’ reign in places like Germany
As emperor, Tiberius was not well-liked by the people or the Senate
He lived his last years on the island of Capri
His death may have been murder by suffocation

11. Caligula Lived from AD 12- AD 41 Ruled from AD 37-41
Son of Germanicus, Tiberius’ nephew and adopted son
Germanicus was a popular general
Caligula’s real name: Gaius
caligula= “little boot” (nickname soldiers gave him as a child)

12. Caligula Best remembered for being an an insane and cruel emperor
Tried to make his horse a consul
Rumored that he committed incest with his sisters
Was murdered by Cassius
Chaerea (a centurion of the
Praetorian Guard) and a group
of others

13. Claudius Lived 10 BC- AD 54 Ruled AD 41- AD 54 Lame and stuttered,
shunned by the royal family
Loved history and writing
Uncle of Caligula
Proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard after Caligula’s assassination

14. Very good administrator Conquered Britain Many building projects
Married several times: last wife was Agrippina (his niece)
adopted Agrippina’s son Nero as his heir (over his own son Britannicus)
May have been murdered by his wife
Very good administrator
Conquered Britain
Many building projects
Tried to add 3 letters to the
alphabet
Fun Fact: Issued an edict promoting passing gas for good health 

15. Nero Lived AD 37- AD 68 Ruled AD 54- AD 68
Grand-nephew and stepson of Claudius
Started his rule well, but became increasingly cruel and tyrannical
Loved music and the arts
Murdered his step-brother Britannicus and his own mother Agrippina

16. Great Fire of Rome in AD 64: blamed the Christians and killed many of them
Built his “Golden House” on land claimed after the fire
Overthrown in AD 68 and committed suicide
Last words: “What an artist dies in me!”

17. Year of the 4 Emperors AD 68- AD 69
Four men claimed the throne after Nero’s death
Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian
All generals
Vespasian defeated the others and became emperor
Vespasian founded the Flavian Dynasty