Roman Emperors In Order: Complete List With Descriptions

The Roman Empire had 77 different emperors in the period from 27 BC to 476 AD. Here is a complete list of these Roman emperors in order, featuring brief descriptions of their legacy and the defining characteristics of their rule:

1st Century CE

Augustus, 31 BCE – 14 CE – The first Roman emperor who brought about the Pax Romana, a period of peace and prosperity in Rome.

Tiberius, 14–37 CE – Known for his reclusive and often controversial rule.

Caligula, 37–41 CE – Infamous for his extravagance, cruelty, and erratic behavior.

Claudius, 41–54 CE – A capable and often underestimated emperor, known for his administrative reforms.

Nero, 54–68 CE – One of the most infamous emperors, remembered for his cruelty and persecution of Christians.

Galba, 68–69 CE – A short-lived emperor whose rule ended in rebellion.

Otho, January–April 69 CE – Ruled briefly during the Year of the Four Emperors.

Aulus Vitellius, July–December 69 CE – Another short-lived emperor during the Year of the Four Emperors.

Vespasian, 69–79 CE – Known for stabilizing the empire and beginning the construction of the Colosseum.

Titus, 79–81 CE – Famous for his role in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and for completing the Colosseum.

Domitian, 81–96 CE – Remembered for his autocratic rule and harsh policies.

Nerva, 96–98 CE – Initiated the period of the “Five Good Emperors.”

2nd Century CE

Trajan, 98–117 CE – Celebrated for his military conquests and expansion of the empire.

Hadrian, 117–138 CE – Known for his extensive travels and the construction of Hadrian’s Wall in Britain.

Antoninus Pius, 138–161 CE – A peaceful and prosperous reign, known for his benevolence.

Marcus Aurelius, 161–180 CE – A philosopher-emperor who faced challenges during the Antonine Plague.

Lucius Verus, 161–169 CE – Co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius, faced external threats during his reign.

Commodus, 177–192 CE – Infamous for his erratic behavior and decline of the Roman Empire’s prestige.

Publius Helvius Pertinax, January–March 193 CE – A short and tumultuous reign.

Didius Julianus, March–June 193 CE – Bought the throne in a contested period known as the “Year of the Five Emperors.”

Septimius Severus, 193–211 CE – A strong ruler who expanded the empire and solidified his dynasty.

3rd Century CE

Caracalla, 198–217 CE – Known for granting Roman citizenship to all free people within the empire.

Publius Septimius Geta, 209–211 CE – Co-emperor with Caracalla, their rivalry ended in tragedy.

Macrinus, 217–218 CE – A brief reign marked by financial reforms.

Elagabalus, 218–222 CE – Infamous for his eccentric religious practices and debauchery.

Alexander Severus, 222–235 CE – A young and moderate emperor, faced external threats.

Maximinus, 235–238 CE – A soldier-emperor who ruled during a period of crisis.

Gordian I, March–April 238 CE – A brief reign as a co-emperor during the Year of the Six Emperors.

Gordian II, March–April 238 CE – Co-emperor with his father Gordian I.

Pupienus Maximus, April–July 238 CE – Shared the throne during the Year of the Six Emperors.

Balbinus, April–July 238 CE – Another co-emperor in the Year of the Six Emperors.

Gordian III, 238–244 CE – A young emperor who faced challenges from his advisors.

Philip, 244–249 CE – Ruled during a time of military conflict and external threats.

Decius, 249–251 CE – Known for his persecution of Christians.

Hostilian, 251 CE – A short-lived co-emperor.

Gallus, 251–253 CE – Ruled during a period of crisis and military setbacks.

Aemilian, 253 CE – Another brief reign during a time of turmoil.

Valerian, 253–260 CE – Captured by the Persians, he was the first emperor to be taken captive.

Gallienus, 253–268 CE – Ruled during a period of fragmentation and invasions.

Claudius II Gothicus, 268–270 CE – Known for his military victories.

Quintillus, 270 CE – A short-lived emperor following the death of Claudius II.

Aurelian, 270–275 CE – Restored unity to the empire and fortified its frontiers.

Tacitus, 275–276 CE – A brief and relatively peaceful reign.

Florian, June–September 276 CE – Another short-lived ruler.

Probus, 276–282 CE – Known for his military campaigns and efforts to restore the empire.

Carus, 282–283 CE – Ruled briefly, with his reign cut short by his death.

Numerian, 283–284 CE – Ruled jointly with his father Carus until his mysterious death.

Carinus, 283–285 CE – Ruled the western part of the empire.

Diocletian, 284–305 CE – Instituted important reforms and divided the Roman Empire into East and West.

Maximian, 286–305 CE – Co-emperor with Diocletian, known for his military campaigns.

4th Century CE

Constantius I, 305–306 CE – The father of Constantine the Great.

Severus, 306–307 CE – A short-lived ruler.

Maxentius, 306–312 CE – Ruled during the tumultuous period leading to the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

Constantine I, 306–337 CE – The first Christian emperor, known for the Edict of Milan and the Council of Nicaea.

Galerius Valerius Maximinus, 310–313 CE – Co-emperor in the tetrarchy system.

Licinius, 308–324 CE – Faced Constantine in a series of civil wars.

Constantine II, 337–340 CE – One of Constantine’s sons who ruled the western part of the empire.

Constantius II, 337–361 CE – Another son of Constantine who ruled the eastern part of the empire.

Constans I, 337–350 CE – The third son of Constantine, initially ruling in the west.

Gallus Caesar, 351–354 CE – Co-emperor with his brother Constantius II.

Julian, 361–363 CE – Known as Julian the Apostate for his brief attempt to revive paganism.

Jovian, 363–364 CE – A short reign following the death of Julian.

Valentinian I, 364–375 CE – A capable ruler who co-ruled the empire with his brother Valens and faced challenges along the Rhine and Danube frontiers.

Gratian, 367–383 CE – Ascended to the throne as a child and faced revolts and invasions during his reign.

Magnus Maximus, 383–388 CE – A usurper who briefly ruled the western part of the empire.

Valentinian II, 375–392 CE – A young emperor who struggled to assert control over his realm.

Theodosius I, 392–395 CE – Known for his efforts to restore Christianity and the last emperor to rule over a united Roman Empire before its division.

Honorius, 393–423 CE – Ruled the Western Roman Empire during a period of decline and faced the sacking of Rome by the Visigoths.

5th Century CE

Constantius III, 421 CE – Co-emperor with Honorius, known for his role in defending the Western Roman Empire against external threats.

Valentinian III, 425–455 CE – A child emperor who faced numerous challenges and invasions during his reign.

Petronius Maximus, March–May 455 CE – Briefly held the throne before his death during the sack of Rome by the Vandals.

Avitus, 455–456 CE – A short-lived emperor who faced challenges from both internal and external sources.

Majorian, 457–461 CE – Known for his reforms and efforts to restore the Western Roman Empire’s strength.

Libius Severus, 461–465 CE – An emperor during a period of decline and fragmentation in the Western Roman Empire.

Anthemius, 467–472 CE – Ruled during a turbulent time and faced the sack of Rome by the Visigoths.

Olybrius, April–November 472 CE – A short-lived ruler during a period of rapid turnover of emperors.

Glycerius, 473–474 CE – Another brief reign in a time of instability in the Western Roman Empire.

Julius Nepos, 474–475 CE – Attempted to reassert imperial authority but faced challenges from rivals.

Romulus Augustulus, 475–476 CE – The last Roman emperor in the West before the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE.