Cassius Dio

The son of Marcus Aurelius,’ Commodus Antoninus, came to power in the wake of his father’s death in March of 180 CE. From the death of Marcus Aurelius came the end to the Five Good Emperors. Commodus’ reign lasted from 180 to 192 CE and he described it as a “golden age.” (cite) However, this was far from the truth. Commodus succumbed to the lure of self-indulgence and become a megalomaniac. Along with those two flaws, he also held deep antagonism against the Senate. (cite) Arguably, the two most

her image to go against cultural Roman beliefs and values. Ancient secondary source, Cassius

life affected the beginning of her rise to power, as she also arose to power because of her family relations. Cleopatra was beautiful and smart and her characteristics exemplified a true leader. This is highlighted by Roman statesmen and historian Dio Cassius in the following statement about Egyptian Pharaoh’s physical and personal characteristics, Cleopatra: “For she was a woman of surpassing beauty, and at that time, when she was in the prime of her youth, she was most striking. She also possessed

1. The Julio-Claudian Emperors; civil government and military concerns Each Emperor, was required to encompass in his rulings the dealings with the elite, that is senators, wealthy citizens and equites, and with the populace, inside the city of Rome and in the provinces. Julius Caesar assassination was an example how dangerous is when the individual act in a manner of above all, as rex or dictator, he eventually turns the part of people against himself. On other side, Augustus, did the wise move

An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Emperors mapDIR Atlas Gaius (Caligula) (A.D. 37-41) Garrett G. Fagan Pennsylvania State University A Bust of theEmperor Caligula Introduction Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (b. A.D. 12, d. A.D. 41, emperor A.D. 37-41) represents a turning point in the early history of the Principate. Unfortunately, his is the most poorly documented reign of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. The literary sources for these four years are meager, frequently anecdotal, and universally

By the end, of the Republic this concept of only male slaves completely change and sex ratio became more equal. In the ancient Roman economy slave men were needed for agriculture, but women were less valuable since few could equal labor of male slaves. Under the peaceful condition of the Principate, warfare subside and incoming slave population diminish, owners were force to turn to female slaves and natural reproduction to maintain slavery in Rome. The Frisii capture Numidians and Thracians and

Nero and the Great Fire Historian of Greek Origin, Dio Cassius, voices his conviction of Emperor of Rome, Nero, for scorching his city to the ground producing extreme chaos and bloodshed for his own benefit. In 64 CE, the Emperor of Rome stood Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus or commonly known, Nero. Nero had the reputation for political kindness and for being morally wrong to his people. On June 19, 64 CE a fire ignited in the surrounding areas of Circus Maximus and was branded as the Great Fire

During her time, Agrippina the Younger was able to achieve unprecedented recognition and transcended the boundaries of imperial women to establish herself as a political player. Through her marriage to the Emperor Claudius, she formed a co-ruling alliance that allowed her to manipulate the order of succession to aid her son Nero in becoming Princeps. To a negligible extent, historians agree with Ferrero’s interpretation of Agrippina. Where Ferrero praises Agrippina’s personality, both ancient and

When historians think of the ancient Rome, one name is the first to pop into the mind; Caesar.  Undoubtedly one of the most consequential men to have ever lived, Julius Caesar left a lasting legacy of military and political domination.  Caesar’s assassination sent shockwaves throughout Rome and its territories, leaving many to question what man could and would take the late leader’s place.  Many men vied for the most powerful position in the ancient world, but only one man could win this struggle

The Second Triumvirate was a “formal magistracy legally appointed which could dominate the Senate and the State” (Scullard) and would prove to be the final straw in an already failed Republican system. The Roman Republic was ruled by a Constitution, which relied on a balance of three elements; The Senate; the Magistrates; the Assemblies. When the balance was upset either by ambitious magistrates, armies or tribunes then civil war was the result. The Senate proved ineffectual in preventing the Second