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Sextus Pompeii
Consul in 70s BCE, procunsul thereafter. Toured through, Near East reorganizing provinces there. Was in First Triumvirate with Caesar, before the they broke ranks and became chief antagonists until 46 BCE, when Caesar triumphed at Munda.
Julius Caesar
Consul, then proconsul in 60s-50s BCE. When denied power by the Senate, crossed the Rubicon with his loyal forces and wrested power in Rome. Established the Triumvirate with Sextus Pompeii, then the two split and became bitter rivalsfor power. Built a faction around himself and soon defeated Pompeii, after which he took power in Rome and enacted major reforms of the Senate, settlement, and elsewhere. Assassinated by the Senate, which feared he was destroying the Republic, on March 15, 44 BCE.
Mark Antony
A lieutenant of Julius Caesar, saw self as his heir. After Second Triumvirate of 43-33 BCE, in which he shared power with Octavian, the two came into open conflict. Allied with Cleopatra, but was finally defeated in 30 BCE.
Lepidus
Second Triumvirate member. Retired soon after troops defected to Octavian.
Octavian
Nephew of Caesar, adopted by him before Caesar's death, and listed as heir in will. Fought Mark Antony, eventually establishing undisputed, unchallenged rule over Rome and inaugurating the Principate. Ruled 30 BCE to 14 CE. (Also see Augustus below.)
Agrippa
Comrade-in-arms, friend, and adviser to Octavian. His generalship assured Octavian's victories, helped in the urban infrastructure of Rome, and assured the success of the Rhine campaigns. Died before he could become Emperor.
Augustus
Meaning "Bringer of Increase," an epithet of the gods given to Octavian (see above) by the Senate in the 20s BCE.
Tiberius
Ruled 14-38 BCE. Strong general under Augustus, passed over as heir several times. Disliked by Senate for detached, reclusive, at times vicious behavior.
Marcomanni
Germanic tribe in the Rhine area, active from the 1st century CE.
Varrus
Roman legate sent to quiet the Marcomanni in 7 CE. Was defeated in Teutoburgian forest in what became a massacre.
Sejanus
Companion to Tiberius, he engineered excessive treason trials and nepotism in Rome while the Emperor was living on Capri. May have conspired against Emperor. Tiberius had him murdered in 31 CE.
Caligula
Gaius, "little boots," son of Augustus's adopted heir Germanicus. Became Emperor in 38 CE, soon descended into insanity and Hellenistic addictions. Murdered in 41 by Praetorian Guard.
Claudius
Grandson of Livia, who was the wife of Augustus. Passed over several times, disliked for physical infirmities. Became Emperor upon Caligula's death and ruled from 40–54 CE. Was administratively and military successful—conquered Britain—but disliked by Rome elite. Died 54 CE.
Nero
Adopted son of Claudius, and was son of Agrippina the Younger. Early years of his rule (55-61 CE) went well, then quickly descended into a vicious insanity reminiscent of Caligula; became uninterested in army or administration, obsessed only with Greek Hellenism. Killed several generals and wives, committed suicide in 69 CE.
Vespasianus
Equestrian background general in Judaea who rose in 69 CE, eventually fought off other military claimants to the throne, and became emperor from 69-79 CE, establishing the Flavian dynasty, of which Trajan was a member.
Plautinus
General from Claudius's era, conquered Britain for Empire in 44 CE.
Paulinus
General of Claudius who conquered Mauretenia and annexed it for Rome.
Burrus
One of Nero's early tutors during the good years.
Seneca
Roman scholar and early tutor of Nero. Killed by him in terrors.
Corbulo
Sucessfull Roman general in East. Summoned by Nero to Rome and ordered to commit suicide, which he did, in 66 CE.
Gessius Florus
Roman procurator in Judaea when Jewish Revolt began in 68 CE. Eventually became the imperial legate after the war.
Galba
Spanish governor revolting in 68-69 CE, during Year of Four Emperors. From ancient senatorial family, he was accepted in Rome, but had insufficient forces to beat off other claimants. Was killed in 69.
Otho
One-time close friend of Nero who bribed the Praetorian Guard to raise him as Emperor in 69 CE. Was defeated by Vitellus in 69 CE.
Vitellus
One of four claimants to the throne in 69 CE. Defeated Otho, though ultimately defeated by Vespasian.
Titus
Vespasian's son and successor, both in command of Palestine and, ultimately, the Principate. Ruled 79-81 CE.
Quadi
Germanic tribe in Rhine-Danube area.
Domitian
Second son of Vespasian. Unpopular ruler, but not ineffective. Murdered 96 CE.
Dacians
People of Transylvania, possessing organized, fortified kingdom. Harassed sub-Danubian Roman lands beginning in Domitian's time. Trajan finally burst through into their lands and annexed the region, leading to its Latinization.
Nerva
Place-holder Emperor after Domitian. Known for Alimenta and adoption of Trajan as heir.
Chosroes
Parthian king excessively friendly with Armenia, thus encouraging Trajan to invade Parthian lands from 113 CE.
Trajan
Roman Emperor, 98-117 CE. Most popular emperor after Augustus. Expanded Roman lands into Danube area and east. Under his rule, Rome had good government and finances. He treated the Senate well.
Hadrian
Ruled 117-138. Not popular, in that was not an agressive emperor externally, and seemed to hint at demotion of Italy's status domestically. Faced and put down another Jewish revolt in Palestine.
Antoninus Pius
Ruled 138-161. His reign was extremely uneventful internally, with external peace and wealth. Germans start to become restive. His reign marks Rome's peak of power.
