“The Five Good Emperors”

“The Five Good Emperors” By : Malea Moss and Raya Berkley Bell: 3B

Era of the Five Good Emperors • The “Five Good Emperors” is the time period of the reigns from Nerva to Marcus Aurelis. • The five good emperors were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. • The period of the “Five Good Emperors” provided the greatest amount of power and prosperity for the Romans.

The Reign of Nerva(A.D. 96-98) • Nerva was born into power on November 8, in Narnia • He came in power in 96 AD • He became emperor at age 65 • He was declared emperor by the Roman Senate after the assassination of Domitian • He was the only emperor that can say that hs has done nothing as emperor that will prevent laying down the imperial office and returning to private life and safety • He earned the title of father of the country (pater patria) at the starting of his reign

The Reign of Nerva Continued . . . . • Nerva’s main goal during his reign was to help the poor • He died after 16 months of reign • Nerva’s main goal during his reign was to help the poor

The Greatness of Trajan • Trajan was born on September 18, AD 53 in Spain. • He became emperor on January 28, AD 98 • He was adopted by Nerva and accepted by the senate , because he became popular with the people and the army of Rome • He was known by most people as the greatest of the Roman sovereigns • he restored elective power to citizens and to the senate, and he restored liberty of speech and of action to the magistrates • Died on August 7 AD 117

The Statesmanship of Hadrian(A.D. 117-138) • After the death of Trajan, his adopted son Hadrian then took the throne • He was alike Trajan in many ways, he cared deeply about the welfare of the people and he also wished to add to the architectural splendor of Rome. • He did not believe that Rome existed just to conquer the world, but to civilize her own subjects. • He is said to have been a man of wider acquirements and greater general capacity than any previous ruler since Julius Caesar. • He lived by the policy of Augustus, which was to improve the empire rather than to enlarge it.

The Virtues of AntoninusPius • Antoninus reigned for twenty-three years, but his reign was known as an uneventful reign • Throughout his reign there were no conquest, no wars, and no cruelty • He maintained a peaceful empire that resulted in prosperity • He was kind to all and did his best to prevent persecution of Christians • During the period of the Antoninus reign was when the imperial government reached its highest development.

Marcus Aurelius (The Philosopher)(Ad 161-180) • He was born April 26, Ad 121 • Marcus Aurelius was the first philosopher to become Roman Emperor • He was a wise brave, just, and temperate leader • While he was in power he defeated the Parthian Empire • He wrote meditations, which was a series of personal writings about Stoic Philosophies • He was the last of the “Five Good Emperors”

Works Cited • http://www.unrv.com/early-empire/five-good-emperors.php • http://www.forumromanum.org/history/morey26.html • http://www.romanempire.net/highpoint/highpoint.html • http://www.the-romans.co.uk/goodemperors.htm • http://www.roman-colosseum.info/roman-empire/good-roman-emperors.htm

“The Five Good Emperors”