This article needs additional citations for verification .(April 2019) |
This is a family tree of Roman emperors, showing only the relationships between the emperors.
The emperors from Augustus to Commodus can be organised into one large family tree.
The emperors from Pertinax to the beginning of the Crisis can be organised into one large dynasty (see Severan dynasty family tree), one smaller family and two unrelated emperors.
Pertinax 126–193 r. 192–193 | Didius Julianus 133–193 r. 193 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Septimius Severus 145–211 r. 193–211 | Julia Domna 160–217 | Julia Maesa 165–224 | Macrinus 165–218 r. 217–218 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Caracalla 188–217 r. 211–217 | Geta 189–211 r. 211 | Julia Soaemias 180–222 | Julia Avita Mamaea 180–235 | Diadumenian 208–218 r. 218 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Elagabalus 203–222 r. 218–222 | Severus Alexander 208–235 r. 222–235 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The emperors during the fifty-year period of the Crisis can be organised into eight families and six unrelated emperors, although no family held power for more than fifteen years.
Maximinus I 173–238 r. 235–238 | Gordian I 159–238 r. 238–238 | Pupienus 178–238 r. 238–238 | Balbinus 165–238 r. 238–238 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gordian II 192–238 r. 238–238 | Antonia Gordiana b. 201 | Philip 204–249 r. 244–249 | Decius 201–251 r. 249–251 | Gallus 206–253 r. 251–253 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aemilianus 210–253 r. 253–253 | Gordian III 225–244 r. 238–244 | Valerian 200–260 r. 253–260 | Philip II r. 247–249 | Etruscus 227–251 r. 251–251 | Hostilian 230–251 r. 251–251 | Volusianus d.253 r. 251–253 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Claudius II 213–270 r. 268–270 | Quintillus 220–270 r. 270–270 | Gallienus 218–268 r. 253–268 | Aurelian 214–275 r. 270–275 | Tacitus 200–276 r. 275–276 | Florianus d.276 r. 276 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Probus 232–282 r. 276–282 | Carus 230–283 r. 282–283 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Carinus d.285 r. 283–285 | Numerian d.284 r. 283–284 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The emperors from the founding of the Dominate in 284, in the West until 476 and in the East until 518, can be organised into one large dynasty plus various unrelated emperors. During most of this periods, though not always, there where two senior emperors ruling in separate courts. This division became permanent after the death of Theodosius I in 395.
Western Roman Empire
Eastern Roman Empire
Diocletian 244–311 r.284–305 | Prisca d.315 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Afranius Hannibalian | Eutropia d.325 | Maximian 250–310 r.286–305 | Valeria | Galerius 260–311 r.305–311 | unknown sister | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Severus II r.306–307 | Maximiana Theodora | Constantius I 250–306 r.305–306 | Julia Helena 250–330 | Maxentius 278–312 r.306–312 | Valeria Maximilla | Maximinus II 270–313 r.311–313 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eutropia d. 350 | Julius Constantius d.337 | Licinius c.265–325 r.311–324 | Constantia 293–330 | Constantine I 272–337 r.306–337 | Fausta 289–326 | Valerius Valens r.316–317 | Martinian r.324 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nepotianus r.350 | Julianus II 331–363 r.361–363 | Helena d.360 | Constantine II 316–340 r.337–340 | Constantius II 317–361 r.337–361 | Constans I 323–350 r.337–350 | Magnentius r.350–353 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jovian 331–364 r.363–364 | Procopius (cousin) r. 365–366 | Marina Severa d.375 | Valentinian I 321–375 r.364–375 | Justina d.388 | Valens 328–378 r.364–378 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Magnus Maximus r.383–388 | Constantia 362–383 | Gratian 359–383 r.375–383 | Aelia Flaccilla d.385 | Theodosius I 347–395 r.379–395 | Galla d.394 | Valentinian II 371–392 r.388–392 | Eugenius r.392–394 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Victor c.385–388 | Constantine III r.407–411 | Priscus Attalus r.409 | Honorius 384–423 r.395–423 | Arcadius 377–408 r.395–408 | Galla Placidia 392–450 | Constantius III r.421 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Constans II r.409–411 | Marcian 396–457 r.450–457 | Pulcheria 399–453 | Theodosius II 401–450 r.408–450 | Joannes r.423–424 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
unknown brother | Leo I 401–474 r.457–474 | Verina d.484 | Basiliscus r.475–476 | Euphemia | Anthemius 420–472 r.467–472 | Pet. Maximus 397–455 r.455 | Licinia Eudoxia 422–462 | Valentinian III 419–455 r.425–455 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marcus r.475–476 | Avitus 385–456 r.455–456 | Majorian 420–461 r.457–461 | Severus III r.461–465 | Olybrius r.472 | Placidia | Glycerius r.473–474 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
niece of Leo I | Julius Nepos r.474–475 | Zeno r.474–475 r.476–491 | Ariadne 450–515 | Anastasius I 430–518 r.491–518 | Leontia | Marcianus | Orestes c. 420–476 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Leo II 467–474 r.474 | Romulus c. 465–520? r.475–476 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Caesar Augustus, also known as Octavian, was the founder of the Roman Empire; he reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. The reign of Augustus initiated an imperial cult as well as an era associated with imperial peace, the Pax Romana or Pax Augusta, in which the Roman world was largely free of armed conflict aside from expansionary wars and the Year of the Four Emperors. The Principate system of imperial rule established by Augustus lasted until the Crisis of the Third Century.
Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander, also known as Alexander Severus, was a Roman emperor, who reigned from 222 until 235. He was the last emperor from the Severan dynasty. He succeeded his slain cousin Elagabalus in 222. Alexander himself was eventually assassinated, and his death marked the beginning of the events of the Crisis of the Third Century, which included nearly fifty years of civil war, foreign invasion, and the collapse of the monetary economy.
Around the start of the Common Era, the family trees of the gens Julia and the gens Claudia became intertwined into the Julio-Claudian family tree as a result of marriages and adoptions.
The Severan dynasty was an Ancient Roman imperial dynasty that ruled the Roman Empire between 193 and 235, during the Roman imperial period. The dynasty was founded by the emperor Septimius Severus, who rose to power after the Year of the Five Emperors as the victor of the civil war of 193–197, and his wife, Julia Domna. After the short reigns and assassinations of their two sons, Caracalla and Geta, who succeeded their father in the government of the empire, Julia Domna's relatives themselves assumed power by raising Elagabalus and then Severus Alexander to the imperial office.
The Tetrarchy was the system instituted by Roman emperor Diocletian in 293 AD to govern the ancient Roman Empire by dividing it between two emperors, the augusti, and their junior colleagues and designated successors, the caesares. This marked the end of the Crisis of the Third Century.
The Crisis of the Third Century, also known as the Military Anarchy or the Imperial Crisis (235–284), was a period in which the Roman Empire nearly collapsed. The crisis ended due to the military victories of Aurelian and with the ascension of Diocletian and his implementation of reforms in 284.
The Holy Roman Emperor, originally and officially the Emperor of the Romans during the Middle Ages, and also known as the Roman-German Emperor since the early modern period, was the ruler and head of state of the Holy Roman Empire. The title was held in conjunction with the title of king of Italy from the 8th to the 16th century, and, almost without interruption, with the title of king of Germany throughout the 12th to 18th centuries.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to ancient Rome:
The Roman emperor was the ruler and monarchial head of state of the Roman Empire during the imperial period, starting with the granting of the title augustus to Octavian in 27 BC. The emperors used a variety of different titles throughout history. Often when a given Roman is described as becoming emperor in English, it reflects his taking of the title augustus and later basileus. Another title often used was caesar, used for heirs-apparent, and imperator, originally a military honorific. Early emperors also used the title princeps civitatis. Emperors frequently amassed Republican titles, notably princeps senatus, consul, and pontifex maximus.
A regnal name, or regnant name or reign name, is the name used by monarchs and popes during their reigns and, subsequently, historically. Since ancient times, some monarchs have chosen to use a different name from their original name when they accede to the monarchy.
The term Western Roman Empire is used in modern historiography to refer to the western provinces of the Roman Empire, collectively, during any period in which they were administered separately from the eastern provinces by a separate, independent Imperial court—and particularly during the period from 395 to 476, in which there were separate, coequal courts dividing the governance of the empire in the Western provinces from that of the Eastern provinces, with a distinct imperial succession in the separate courts. The terms Western Roman Empire and Eastern Roman Empire were coined in modern times to describe political entities that were de facto independent; contemporary Romans did not consider the Empire to have been split into two empires but viewed it as a single polity governed by two imperial courts as an administrative expediency. The Western Roman Empire collapsed in 476, and the Western imperial court in Ravenna was formally dissolved by Justinian I in 554. The Eastern imperial court lasted until 1453.
In modern historiography, ancient Rome refers to Roman civilisation from the founding of the Italian city of Rome in the 8th century BC to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD. It encompasses the Roman Kingdom, Roman Republic, and Roman Empire until the fall of the western empire.
The Flavian dynasty ruled the Roman Empire between AD 69 and 96, encompassing the reigns of Vespasian (69–79), and his two sons Titus (79–81) and Domitian (81–96). The Flavians rose to power during the civil war of 69, known as the Year of the Four Emperors. After Galba and Otho died in quick succession, Vitellius became emperor in mid 69. His claim to the throne was quickly challenged by legions stationed in the Eastern provinces, who declared their commander Vespasian emperor in his place. The Second Battle of Bedriacum tilted the balance decisively in favour of the Flavian forces, who entered Rome on 20 December. The following day, the Roman Senate officially declared Vespasian emperor of the Roman Empire, thus commencing the Flavian dynasty. Although the dynasty proved to be short-lived, several significant historic, economic and military events took place during their reign.
The Principate is the form of imperial government of the Roman Empire from the beginning of the reign of Augustus in 27 BC to the end of the Crisis of the Third Century in AD 284, after which it evolved into the Dominate.
The Leonid dynasty produced five Roman emperors during Late Antiquity, reigning over the Roman Empire from 457 to 518. The dynasty's patriarch was Leo I, who was made Roman emperor in 457. Leo's daughter Ariadne became empress and mother to an emperor, and her two husbands were themselves each made emperor in turn. Another relative whose name does not survive of Leo I or his wife Verina married the future augustus Julius Nepos, the last emperor in the western Roman Empire. The dynasty of Leo succeeded the preceding Valentinianic dynasty and Theodosian dynasty whose family trees were conjoined and ruled concurrently. Besides Julius Nepos, who administered no more than a rump state the Roman province of Dalmatia in the western empire during the fall of the west, the dynasty's emperors governed the eastern empire.
Archelaus was a Roman client prince and the last king of Cappadocia. He was also husband of Pythodorida, Queen regnant of Pontus.
The history of the Roman Empire covers the history of ancient Rome from the fall of the Roman Republic in 27 BC until the abdication of Romulus Augustulus in AD 476 in the West, and the Fall of Constantinople in the East in AD 1453. Ancient Rome became a territorial empire while still a republic, but was then ruled by Roman emperors beginning with Augustus, becoming the Roman Empire following the death of the last republican dictator, the first emperor's adoptive father Julius Caesar.
Nerva was Roman emperor from 96 to 98. Nerva became emperor when aged almost 66, after a lifetime of imperial service under Nero and the succeeding rulers of the Flavian dynasty. Under Nero, he was a member of the imperial entourage and played a vital part in exposing the Pisonian conspiracy of 65. Later, as a loyalist to the Flavians, he attained consulships in 71 and 90 during the reigns of Vespasian and Domitian, respectively. On 18 September 96, Domitian was assassinated in a palace conspiracy involving members of the Praetorian Guard and several of his freedmen. On the same day, Nerva was declared emperor by the Roman Senate. As the new ruler of the Roman Empire, he vowed to restore liberties which had been curtailed during the autocratic government of Domitian.
The Eastern Roman Empire was ruled by the Theodosian dynasty from 379, the accession of Theodosius I, to 457, the death of Marcian. The rule of the Theodosian dynasty saw the final East-West division of the Roman Empire, between Arcadius and Honorius in 395. Whilst divisions of the Roman Empire had occurred before, the Empire would never again be fully reunited. The reign of the sons of Theodosius I contributed heavily to the crisis that under the fifth century eventually resulted in the complete collapse of western Roman court.