The Five Good Emperors

1. The Five Good Emperors Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antonius Pius, and Marcus Aurelius

2. Nerva (96-98 CE) • Appointed emperor by Domitian’s assassins • Swore to never execute a Roman senator and to deal with senate as a legitmate political body • Spent lavish amounts of money to secure public goodwill, such as tax breaks for the poorest Roman families • Completed many public projects begun by Domitian while actively seeking to destroy his predecessor’s good name • Survived a rebellious abduction by the Praetorian Guard by handing over Domitian’s assassins and adopting Trajan as his heir.

3. Trajan (98-117 CE) • Took the name Optimus Maximus for his contributions to the Empire through his victories on the frontier and his respectful treatment of the senate • Increase the amount free food stuffs distributed to the poor • Completed many magnificent and beneficial public works, such a new forum, baths, and a large market • Undertook an overly ambitious war against Parthia with an eye to conquering the entire Mesopotamian region • During his war with the Parthians, his health failed and he died of natural causes while trying to return to Rome.

4. Hadrian (117-138 CE) • Backed off from Trajan’s overly ambitious expansion policies and sought to explore and understand the existing provinces of the empire • As an author and philosopher, Hadrian supported the arts and the city of Athens as a cultural center of the empire • Completed Hadrian’s Wall, which spanned northern Britain from coast to coast • Traveled the entire empire during his reign • Spent his last several years resisting coup attempts and fighting illness, eventually dying of natural causes after adopting Antoninus Pius as his heir

5. Antoninus Pius (138-161 CE) • Earned his nickname “Pius” with his refusal to put to death those awaiting execution under Hadrian’s rule • Improved the bureaucratic functions of the empire bringing about a prosperous period for the empire • Did not make major changes to Hadrian’s government programs • Ruled from Rome and dealt with rebellions and international crises by delegating responsibility to local governors • Threw a celebration of Rome’s 900th anniversary that were so lavish and expensive he had to debase the currency to pay the costs of the games • Died of natural causes never having left Italy during his reign

6. Marcus Aurelius (161-180 CE) • Ruled over very troubled times for the empire • Incessant wars in the provinces • Plague in the east • Eminent philosopher and writer, a true intellectual, he wrote the famous Meditations • Very skilled and interested in law, he earned a reputation as devoted to justice • Devoted to defending the empire, he died from illness contracted on the German frontiers