Marcus Ulpius Trajanus : The Roman Emperor Trajan

In the early first century AD, the Roman Empire was subject to autocratic rule and the old Republic was long dead. Augustus had been ruling for forty years and most of that time he was loved and praised by the Senate and the people of Rome. Throughout his reign, Augustus had the one lingering problem of finding a successor to take over the role of Emperor. He had chosen 3 different heirs in his time of rule; however, they all passed before they had the chance to inherit Augustus’ esteemed power. His fourth choice, Tiberius, was the one to succeed Augustus. He was often referred to, by Augustus, as an outstanding general and the only one capable of defending Rome against her enemies. The statement, ‘Tiberius is condemned by many ancient

The later Roman Republic and early Roman Empire controlled most of modern day Europe through Northern Africa to Asia Minor. This time of complete dominance over much of the known world propelled Rome into a new era of wealth and prosperity that allowed Romans to look past military expansion. The Roman state now turned towards betterment of society and the “craving for a good education.” Education was seen not only as a tool for the furthering of personal careers, but as a way to improve Rome. Education passed along virtue and the skills necessary to run the Republic and early Empire. This knowledge began in the home, transferring from father to son through the role of fathers as paterfamilias or head of household. Fathers were in charge of ensuring the best possible education for their sons in hope that they would further the ideals and goals of a glorious Rome. Education, through the different steps of the informal Roman education structure and through the influence of the father, furthered the ideal of Roman virtue and ensured generations of virtuous leaders.

One emperor would still have important tasks that were not finished, when the next emperor starts to rule they never complete these and start different tasks and projects. On top of that the emperors would sometimes steal money from the Roman government for

When Pliny was first challenged with the issue of Christianity in his region, he was extremely confused and worried. He had never dealt with the issue before and so had no prior experience to dwell upon. However, he ended up dealing with them like any other threat to the Roman Empire he had dispensed with. He viewed these individuals as a contagion and threat to the Empire that needed to be distinguished. However, he knew that he did not have the resources or manpower to adequately confront the issue as it had spread not just in the cities, but also to the towns and farms across his region. This leads to the start of multiple letters to Emperor Trajan, so that he could be informed and order what needed to occur.

These writings covered the life of the Roman Emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors (AD 69). Tacitus is considered to be one of the greatest Roman historians. He lived in what has been called the Silver Age of Latin literature. He is known for the brevity and compactness of his Latin prose, as well as for his penetrating insights into the psychology of power

Emperor Hadrian was the 14th Emperor of Rome between 117-138 CE, Hadrian is also known as the 3rd of 5 good emperors. Born in Hispania like Trajan Hadrian came into power as an Emperor after being adopted by Trajan’s wife. Historians believe that one reason for the adoption was the ethnicity that Hadrian and Trajan shared. At an early age Hadrian like Trajan joined the army and became a tribune under the command of emperor Nerva. When Nerva died Trajan took the throne and when Trajan died Hadrian took the throne. Hadrian’s popularity in Rome was attested as Hadrian spent the better part of his reign absent from Rome. Professor D. Brendan Nagle writes, “ Hadrian spent most of his reign (twelve out of twenty-one years) traveling all over

Born on 1 August 10 BC in Gaul, Claudius had a reign that would always represent a turning point. Claudius Nero Germanicus had been the third emperor for the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Claudius stuck out from other Roman Emperors because of the things that he'd decided to do during his reign. Claudius had promoted administrators who he knew did not deserve senatorial classes. For a man with such high powers, Claudius did not seem to mind the fact that his relationships with his wives and children were not he best. It was very simple to tell how many difficulties Claudius had faced during his reign. Although, Claudius had faced mant hardships his reign had been mixed with success and failure which had lead into the end of the Julo-Claudian line.

Octavian Augustus is one of the fiercest leaders in the history of the Roman Empire because of his successful military expansion, his Control of Finance, and his political leadership.

In Roman history, there are many names known to the masses, Caesar, Augustus, Mark Antony. But there is another name that people ought to know he is arguably one of the greatest Roman emperors to ever live and his name was Justinian. Justinian was born Flavius Petrus Sabbatius a peasant from western Rome. To understand how a peasant like young Flavius went from peasant to emperor it is imperative to take a look at his uncle, Justin. Justin as a young man moved to Rome and joined the army and joined the palace guard eventually being appointed the head of the palace guard and bringing his family to Rome.

The Roman empire consisted of many great rulers, some were exceptional, but others were insane. The first sole ruler was a man named Octavian, who was later on named Augustus. After a century of war he restored Rome to all of its glory and managed to sustain peace throughout the land, however, he had to create a new system for the government to run on. In the first years he did not declare himself a dictator, in order to avoid past conflicts, he instead concealed his power. Augustus did not only fix the government, but he also made many military achievements too, such as creating permanent bodyguards and city police.

Gaius Marius was a Roman politician and general who had a long and varied career near the end of the period of the Roman Republic. Born in 157, Marius died in the year 86 B.C. leaving a legacy of many offices in the Roman political system and been responsible for many significant reforms in the military system and organization of Rome's army. In his time, he was hailed as a hero for several of his accomplishments. ‘Marius would be Consul of Rome seven times and Marius was also hailed as the Third Founder of the city and the First Man in Rome. He would reform the Army, restructure Roman society, save the city from barbarians and revolts, and raise significant political isssues to the attention of his fellow citizens. A description of the many accomplishments of Gaius Marius will demonstrate that he was a figure of considerable historical significance in the history of Rome.

Octavian enabled the long, nonviolent time of the Pax Romana, (Latin for Roman peace) by changing Rome from a frail, collapsing republican government to a powerful empire. He is known as the first, and one of the greatest, Roman Emperors ever. Octavian was born on September 23, 63 BC, and died in 14 AD. Born with the name Gaius Octavius Thurinus, he was adopted posthumously by his great-uncle Gaius Julius Caesar via his will, and then was named Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus. This happened in 44 BC when his great uncle, Julius Caesar, was assassinated by a group of conspirators. Additionally, he received the name “Augustus” a term meaning “the revered one” from the Roman Senate in 27 BC. Because of the various names he had, it is

In ancient history there have been many great leaders who had saved the Roman Empire from destruction and demise. The leaders and heroes of the Roman Empire are countless, but one leader stands out from all the rest. Augustus Caesar’s contributions to Roman history helped make Rome the dominant empire we know of today. Augustus Caesar was without a question the greatest political leader in the history of the Roman Empire.

Marcus Licinius Crassus was born in 115 BC in the Roman Republic. His father Publius Licinius Crassus was a commander in Iberia and consul in 97 BC. When growing up Crassus reared in a small house with two brothers and his parents. While his parents were alive his brothers got married so they all shared the same table. This is seen to be the main reason why Crassus was temperate and moderate in his manner in life. According to Plutarch (1916),

On the 23rd of September 63BC a baby boy was born. Little did his family know that this amazing child was going to be one of the greatest politicians in Rome, he was also going to touch the lives of many Roman Citizens and to be remembered by thousands of people many years after his death. He was to rule an empire that stretched from Spain to Judea. Turn the Mediterranean Sea into a peaceful Roman Lake and was eventually to be worshipped as a god. The future Emperor of Rome was called Gaius Julius Octavious, whom we all know now as Augustus.