Latin 1BMagistra Kelleher
Roman Emperors #4: The Five Good Emperors
Following the assassination of Domitian, the Roman state was surprisingly stable. There were no revolting legions, no civil war, and the Empire was not bankrupt. The Senate, having gotten rid of Domitian, once again had power and decided to compromise the old Republican government with the new rule by emperors. They decided that rather than allowing one family to rule that emperors would appoint their heirs based on the man’s merit, not based on heredity. This process started a new era known as the time of the Good Emperors.
The first emperor to follow Domitian was Nerva. Nerva was appointed by the senate in 96AD because he was an older respected senator without an heir. Although Nerva was respected by the senate, the soldiers who had supported Domitian wanted to avenge his death by killing the assassins. Although Nerva tried to quell the tension, revolt eventually broke out as the soldiers wanted justice. Rather than try to fight the soldiers, Nerva decided to adopt Marcus Tranjanus, the highly respected military governor of Upper Germany, as his heir. This decision satisfied the soldiers. Nerva died of natural causes a few months later in 98AD.
Following Nerva’s death, Trajan became the new emperor. Trajan was the first emperor born outside of Italy. He was originally from Spain. Trajan is remembered as one of the best emperors in Rome’s history and his rule was marked by stable government and military conquest. After coming to power, Trajan spent two years in the northern parts of the empire ensuring boarder security. Upon returning to Rome, Trajan began a building campaign to demonstrate the prosperity and power of the empire. He constructed a new forum marketplace and built a column as a monument to his military conquest in Dacia. Trajan is also known for extending the empire to its largest stable size. After conquering Dacia he also moved eastward and fought in Mesopotamia, but was unable to hold the area. In his 20th year of rule, Trajan fell ill and appointed PubliusAeliusHadrianus as his heir. Days after this appointment Trajan died of natural causes just like his predecessor Nerva.
In 117 AD Hadrian became the new emperor. He had been a great friend of Trajan and his family, but he did not share many of Trajan politics. While Trajan was concerned with expanding the empire, Hadrian believed that constant expansion weakened the Roman state. He was more concerned with ensuring the stability of Rome and its borders. Hadrian gave up some of the outer lying territories of the empire, in favor of creating a stronger empire. One famous example of this plan is that Hadrian ceased military expeditions into Scotland. Instead he built Hadrian’s Wall (parts of which still stand today) to mark the boarder of the Roman conquest in Britain and create a fortified defense against Celtic aggression from the north. In Rome, Hadrian commenced many building projects including his mausoleum, now known as the Castel San Angelo which has served as a Vatican fortress and prison and now functions a museum. He also built an expansive “villa” in Tivoli (the countryside near Rome). This home is made of 30 buildings and covers a 250 acre space. As Hadrian grew old he was plagued with bad health and retired to his villa. He finally died of natural causes in 138 after appointing Antoninus Pius as his successor.
Antoninus became emperor after Hadrian’s death in138 and ruled until his own death in 161 AD. His 23 year rule was the longest of the “Good Emperors”, but it is also the one historians know the least about. Antoninus was most likely appointed to keep things stable until Hadrian’s nephew (and Antoninus’ son-in-law) Marcus Aurelius was old enough to rule. During his reign Antoninus made many judicial reforms including ensuring a presumption of innocence. However for all his good reforms, Antoninus never left Italy during his reign. When he died in 161 AD Rome’s borders were in near revolt and its military defenses were worn thin.
In 161 AD Marcus Aurelius, one of the most well-known emperors, came to power. Marcus Aurelius is remembered as a strong emperor, but one who was fighting a losing battle against a period of decline. When Marcus came to power revolts were occurring on multiple fronts of the Roman empire. Upon his ascension Marcus insisted that his colleague LuciusVarus join him as co-emperor. The two ruled jointly until Varus’ death in 169 AD. Throughout Marcus’ reign he was constantly fighting off revolts in Parthia, Syria, and Germania. Marcus is also known as a stoic philosopher and he published many of his musings on how to live a good life. He was also a stickler for law and order and ran a very efficient imperial court. Throughout his life Marcus suffered from a debilitating illness. Although Marcus did his best to hold the empire together he was fighting a losing battle and when he died in 180 AD a period of decline began.
Marcus Aurelius’ successor and son Comodus is often credited as start of the decline in Rome. Many attribute it to the fact that he is the first emperor in almost 100 years who was appointed based on heredity instead of merit. Marcus Aurelius had groomed his son from birth to be emperor and he surrounded him with a group of trusted advisors, however, this did not stop Commodus from becoming notorious. Commodus put the advisors in charge of running the empire, but then he rapidly began murdering them when they displeased him. Commodus was also a great enthusiast of gladiatorial games and women. He spent most of his time chasing women and appearing in the arena. He insisted on being called Hercules and renamed Rome “Colonia Commodiana” in his name. The last straw was when demanded that the Senate deify him. Soon after this the assassination attempts began. Finally, the Senate succeeded in poisoning Commodus in 192 AD. The time of the “Good Emperors” was clearly over.