Believing he had extraordinary powers, he likened himself to a god, rampaging across Rome committing murder, adultery and other acts of barbarism.

He only reigned for four years, from 37 – 41 AD, before he was brutally assassinated, but by then he had left behind enough stories to fill a history book. Caligula: The Tyrant Roman Emperor Caligula photographed by Fernando Barozza, Fine Art America.Ī tyrannical Emperor, Caligula will be forever remembered for his life of indulgence and excess. Retreating to the island of Capri for semi-retirement, some say he lived a strange, reclusive life of sexual debauchery, although others believe this was rumor-mongering spread by enemies. But in later years he became a harsh dictator, mistreating and murdering many of his Senators. Early in his reign he became known for his talents as a military commander and diligent administrator. Miserable and paranoid, he was pushed into the role of Emperor reluctantly, along with an unhappy marriage. Notorious Emperor Tiberius was the successor to Augustus, leading Rome from 14 – 37 AD. Tiberius: The Reluctant Leader Roman Emperor Tiberius, courtesy of Smithsonian Magazine. He even named a month after himself – changing Sextilis, the sixth month, to August! As well as claiming land in Europe and Asia Minor, Augustus expanded roads, built aqueducts and commissioned architecture and sculpture. After winning a deadly battle against Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Augustus became a benevolent leader, ushering in a period of stability known as the Pax Romana, which he maintained through strict, military control. Julius Caesar’s adopted son, Augustus Caesar, was the first Emperor to rule Ancient Rome, from 27 BC – 14 AD.

Augustus: The First Roman Emperor Portrait of Emperor Augustus, Marble Bust, The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

Roman rulers