The Five Good Emperors

Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius

The Roman Empire

Principal Roman Emperors

The Setting…

• When we last left our emperors, the overall-good Flavian Dynasty had come to an end…– Domitian lay murdered by his own court officials– Which family would rule Rome next?

The Five Good Emperors

• Sometimes called the “adoptive emperors.”• Each one picked his own successor by

adoption to ensure a smooth transition of government upon his death

• If we could time-travel, this period would be an excellent time to see the Roman Empire at its peak: AD 96-AD 180

Nerva• Ruled from AD 96-98• 65 years old when he became

emperor• First emperor chosen by

the Senate• Supporter of the Flavians• Stopped executions of

senators and treason trials• Returned property that

Domitian had confiscated

Nerva• Passed many tax reliefs for poor

Romans• Forced to choose an heir in AD 97• Chose Trajan as heir• Died of natural causes (stroke)

in AD 98 after 15 months in office

• Was deified (made a god)

Trajan

• Ruled from AD 98-117• Born in Spain• Became emperor at the age

of 44• Famous military campaign:

conquered Dacia (modern Romania) in AD 106

• The Roman Empire was at its greatest size during his reign

Trajan

• Famous for many architectural works: Trajan’s Column, Trajan’s Forum, and others

• Started a welfare program for poor children: alimenta

• Died of illness when returning to Rome from war against Parthia

Hadrian

•Ruled from AD 117-138•Born in Spain•His father was a cousin of Trajan•Hadrian loved army life•He traveled to almost every province of the Roman Empire during his reign•He loved Greece and Greek ideas

Hadrian

•He loved architecture!•Remembered for building Hadrian’s Wall in Britain; rebuilding the Pantheon in Rome; and starting construction of Hadrian’s Mausoleum (the modern Castel Sant’Angelo)•Died at Baiae, Italy, aged 62

Antoninus Pius

• Ruled from AD 138-161• Governed from Rome• “Pius”: convinced Senate to

deify Hadrian• Ruled well and justly• No major military conflicts

Antoninus Pius

• Married Anna Galeria Faustina• Very happy marriage• 4 children; one daughter

outlived the parents• Faustina did much charity

work• Puellae Faustinianae:

“Faustina’s Girls”---paid for education of poor girls

Antoninus Pius

• Faustina died in AD 141• Antoninus Pius grieved her death– Had her deified– Built a temple to her in

the Forum– After his death in 161, the

temple was rededicated to them both

Marcus Aurelius

• Ruled from AD 161-180• Co-ruled with Lucius Verus

from AD 161-169 (Verus’ death)

• Early education was overseen by Hadrian

• He and Lucius Verus were adopted by Antoninus Pius as as part of Hadrian’s adoption agreement with Pius

Marcus Aurelius

• Fought wars with Parthia and Germany• Was a Stoic philosopher– Stoics believed in moderation in everything– Be content with what you have– Popular philosophy with upper-class Romans– Marcus Aurelius wrote the “Meditations,” a book

about Stoicism

Marcus Aurelius

• He married Faustina the Younger (daughter of Antoninus Pius and Faustina)

• 30-year marriage• 13 children! Only 5 outlived him.

• Annia Aurelia Galeria Faustina (147–after 165)• Gemellus Lucillae (died around 150), twin brother of Lucilla• Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla (148/50–182), twin sister of Gemellus,

married her father's co-ruler Lucius Verus• Titus Aelius Antoninus (born after 150, died before 7 March 161)• Titus Aelius Aurelius (born after 150, died before 7 March 161)• Hadrianus (152–157)• Domitia Faustina (born after 150, died before 7 March 161)• Annia Aurelia Fadilla (159–after 211)• Annia Cornificia Faustina Minor (160–after 211)• Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus (161–165), twin brother of Commodus• Lucius Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (Commodus) (161–192), twin

brother of Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, later emperor• Marcus Annius Verus Caesar (162–169)• Vibia Aurelia Sabina (170–died before 217)

Marcus Aurelius

• Died in Vienna, Austria, March 17, AD 180

• Was succeeded by his son Commodus, who had been co-ruler since AD 177

• Was deified after his death

Quotes from “Meditations”

A man should be upright, not be kept upright.

Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.

Quotes from “Meditations”

Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.