Concise list of Roman emperors

This article provides a complete but concise list of those individuals who claimed the title of 'Emperor' between the inception of the imperial period (27 BC) and the end of the Western Roman Empire in c.480 AD; a nominal end point used to delineate the 'Roman' Empire from the "Hellenized Roman Empire", presently called the "Byzantine Empire".

Those individuals who have historically been accepted as the 'official' emperors are in bold; usurpers or other claimants generally excluded from regnal lists are in italics. Unless otherwise stated, the succession to the title was from an emperor to his nominated heir, and death was by natural causes.

Contents

The Principate

Julio-Claudian dynasty

Reign Incumbent Notes
16 January 27 BC to 19 August AD 14 Augustus
19 August 14 to 16 March 37 Tiberius
18 March 37 to 24 January 41 Caligula Murdered by Praetorian Guard
24 January 41 to 13 October 54 Claudius Poisoned by his wife Agrippina, mother of Nero
13 October 54 to 11 June 68 Nero Declared an enemy of the state by the Senate; had a slave assist him in suicide

Year of the Four Emperors (Civil War)

Reign Incumbent Notes
8 June 68 to 15 January 69 Galba Murdered in a plot created by Otho because he did not adopt Otho as his successor and son.
15 January 69 to 16 April 69 Otho Committed suicide in an attempt to end the civil war.
2 January 69 to 20 December 69 Vitellius Murdered in favour of Vespasian

Flavian dynasty

Reign Incumbent Notes
1 July 69 to 24 June 79 Vespasian
24 June 79 to 13 September 81 Titus Possibly assassinated by Domitian
14 September 81 to 18 September 96 Domitian Assassinated

Nervan-Antonian dynasty

Main article: Five Good Emperors
Reign Incumbent Notes
18 September 96 to 27 January 98 Nerva Proclaimed emperor by senate
28 January 98 to 7 August 117 Trajan
11 August 117 to 10 July 138 Hadrian
10 July 138 to 7 March 161 Antoninus Pius
7 March 161 to 17 March 180 Marcus Aurelius
7 March 161 to March 169 Lucius Verus Co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius
175 Avidius Cassius Usurper; ruled in Egypt and Syria; murdered by his own army
177 to 31 December 192 Commodus Assassinated

Year of the Five Emperors & Severan dynasty

Reign Incumbent Notes
1 January 193 to 28 March 193 Pertinax Proclaimed emperor by senate; murdered by Praetorian Guard
28 March 193 to 1 June 193 Didius Julianus Proclaimed emperor by Praetorian Guard; executed on orders of the Senate
9 April 193 to 4 February 211 Septimius Severus Proclaimed emperor by Pannonian troops; accepted by senate
193 to 194/195 Pescennius Niger Proclaimed emperor by Syrian troops, defeated in battle by Septimius Severus
193/195 to 197 Clodius Albinus Proclaimed emperor by British troops, defeated in battle by Septimius Severus
198 to 8 April 217 Caracalla Assassinated at the behest of Macrinus
209 to 4 February 211 Geta Co-emperor with Caracalla; assassinated on orders of Caracalla
11 April 217 to June 218 Macrinus Proclaimed himself emperor; executed on orders of Elagabalus
May 217 to June 218 Diadumenian Junior co-emperor under Macrinus; executed
June 218 to 222 Elagabalus Proclaimed emperor by army; murdered by his own troops
13 March 222 to ?March 235 Alexander Severus Murdered by his own troops

Rulers during the Crisis of the Third Century

Reign Incumbent Notes
February/March 235 to March/April 238 Maximinus Thrax Proclaimed emperor by the army; murdered by Praetorian Guard
earlyJanuary/March 238 to lateJanuary/April 238 Gordian I Proclaimed emperor in Africa; committed suicide after Gordian II's death
earlyJanuary March 238 to lateJanuary/April 238 Gordian II Proclaimed emperor with Gordian I, killed in battle
earlyFebruary 238 to earlyMay 238 Pupienus Proclaimed joint emperor by senate; murdered by Praetorian Guard
earlyFebruary 238 to earlyMay 238 Balbinus Proclaimed joint emperor by senate; murdered by Praetorian Guard
May 238 to February 244 Gordian III Nephew of Gordian II; death unclear, probably murdered
240 Sabinianus Usurper; proclaimed himself emperor; defeated in battle
February 244 to September/October 249 Philip the Arab Proclaimed emperor after death of Gordian III; killed in battle by Decius
248 Pacatianus Usurper; proclaimed himself emperor; murdered by his own soldiers
248 to 249 Jotapianus Usurper; proclaimed himself emperor in the east; murdered by his own soldiers
248? or 253? Silbannacus Usurper; details essentially unknown
249 to June 251 Decius Killed in battle
249 to 252 Priscus Proclaimed himself emperor in the east in opposition to Decius
250 to 250 Licinianus Usurper; proclaimed emperor in Rome; rebellion suppressed
early251 to June 251 Herennius Etruscus Junior co-emperor under Decius; killed in battle
251 Hostilian Son of Decius; died of plague
June 251 to August 253 Gallus Proclaimed emperor by his troops after Decius's death; murdered by them in favour of Aemilianus
July 251 to August 253 Volusianus Junior co-emperor under Gallus; murdered by army
August 253 to October 253 Aemilian Proclaimed emperor by his troops; murdered by them in favour of Valerian
253 to June 260 Valerian Proclaimed emperor by his troops; captured in battle by the Persians; died in captivity
253 to September 268 Gallienus Junior co-emperor under Valerian to 260; probably murdered by his generals
260 Saloninus Son of Gallienus; proclaimed emperor by army; murdered shortly after by troops of Postumus
June 260 (or 258) Ingenuus Usurper; proclaimed himself emperor after Valerian's capture; defeated in battle
260 Regalianus Usurper; proclaimed emperor after Ingenuus's defeat; fate unclear
260 to 261 Macrianus Major Usurper; proclaimed emperor by eastern army; defeated and killed in battle
260 to 261 Macrianus Minor Usurper; son of Macrianus Major; defeated and killed in battle
260 to 261 Quietus Usurper; son of Macrianus Major; defeated and killed in battle
261 to 261 or 262 Mussius Aemilianus Usurper; proclaimed himself emperor after the defeat of the Macriani; defeated and executed
268 to 268 Aureolus Usurper; proclaimed himself emperor after Gallienus's death; surrendered to Claudius II Gothicus; murdered by Praetorian Guard
268 to August 270 Claudius Gothicus Proclaimed emperor by the army
August 270 to September 270 Quintillus Proclaimed himself emperor; cause of death unclear
August 270 to 275 Aurelian Proclaimed emperor by army; murdered by the Praetorian Guard
271 to 271 Septimius Usurper; proclaimed emperor in Dalmatia; killed by his own soldiers
November/December 275 to July 276 Tacitus Appointed emperor by the Senate; possibly assassinated
July 276 to September 276 Florianus Brother of Tacitus, proclaimed emperor by the western army; murdered by his troops
July 276 to lateSeptember 282 Probus Proclaimed emperor by the eastern army; murdered by his own soldiers in favour of Carus
280 Julius Saturninus Usurper; proclaimed emperor by his troops; then killed by them
280 Proculus Usurper; proclaimed himself emperor at the request of the people of Lugdunum; executed by Probus
280 Bonosus Usurper; proclaimed himself emperor; defeated by Probus and committed suicide
September 282 to July/August 283 Carus Proclaimed emperor by Praetorian guard
spring 283 to summer 285 Carinus Son of Carus; co-emperor with Numerian; fate unclear
July/August 283 to November 284 Numerian Son of Carus; co-emperor with Carinus; probably murdered

Gallic Empire 260 to 274

Reign Incumbent Notes
260 to 268 Postumus Declared himself emperor after Valerian's death; killed by his own troops
268 to 268 Laelianus Proclaimed himself emperor in opposition to Postumus; defeated and killed by Postumus
269 to 269 Marius Proclaimed himself emperor after Postumus's death
269 to 271 Victorinus Proclaimed emperor after Marius's death
270 to 271 Domitianus II Proclaimed himself emperor of the Gallic Empire
271 to 274 Tetricus I Nominated heir to Victorinus

Britannic Empire 286 to 297

Reign Incumbent Notes
286 to 293 Carausius Declared himself emperor; assassinated by Allectus
293 to 297 Allectus Declared himself emperor after Carausius's death; defeated by Constantius Chlorus

Dominate

Tetrarchy and Constantinian dynasty

Reign Incumbent Notes
20 November 284 to 1 May 305 Diocletian Declared emperor by the army after Numerian's death; Abdicated
1 April 286 to 1 May 305 Maximian Made co-emperor ('Augustus') with Diocletian; abdicated
1 May 305 to 25 July 306 Constantius Chlorus Made junior co-emperor ('Caesar') under Maximian; became Augustus after his abdication
1 May 305 to May 311 Galerius Made junior co-emperor ('Caesar') under Diocletian; became Augustus after his abdication
August 306 to 16 September 307 Severus Made junior co-emperor ('Caesar') under Constantius Chlorus; became Augustus after his death; executed by Maxentius
28 October 306 to 28 October 312 Maxentius Son of Maximian; proclaimed Augustus by Praetorian Guard; defeated in battle by Constantine I
de jure: 307, de facto 312 to 22 May 337 Constantine I Son of Constantius Chlorus; proclaimed Augustus by army
308-309?/311? Domitius Alexander Proclaimed emperor in Africa; defeated in battle by Maxentius
11 November 308 to 18 September 324 Licinius Appointed Augustus by Galerius; deposed by Constantine I and executed
1 May 311 to July/August 313 Maximinus Daia Made junior co-emperor ('Caesar') under Galerius; became Augustus after his death; defeated in battle by Licinius and committed suicide
December 316 to 1 March 317 Valerius Valens Appointed co-Augustus by Licinius; executed by Licinius
July to 18 September 324 Sextus Martinianus Appointed co-Augustus by Licinius; deposed by Constantine I and executed
337 to 340 Constantine II Son of Constantine I; co-emperor with his brothers; killed in battle
337 to 361 Constantius II Son of Constantine I; co-emperor with his brothers
337 to 350 Constans Son of Constantine I; co-emperor with his brothers, killed by Magnentius
January 350 to 11 August 353 Magnentius Usurper; proclaimed emperor by the army; defeated by Constantius II and committed suicide
c. 350 Vetranio Proclaimed himself emperor against Magnentius; recognized by Constantius II but then deposed
c. 350 Nepotianus Proclaimed himself emperor against Magnentius, defeated and executed by Magnentius
November 361 to June 363 Julian Cousin of Constantius II; made Caesar by Constantius, then proclaimed Augustus by the army; killed in battle
363 to 17 February 364 Jovian Proclaimed emperor by the army after Julian's death

Valentinian dynasty

Reign Incumbent Notes
26 February 364 to 17 November 375 Valentinian I Proclaimed emperor by the army after Jovian's death
28 March 365 to 9 August 378 Valens Made co-emperor in the east by his brother Valentinian I; killed in battle
September 365 to 27 May 366 Procopius Usurper; Proclaimed himself emperor; defeated and executed by Valens
24 August 367 to 383 Gratian Son of Valentinian I; assassinated
375 to 392 Valentinian II Son of Valentinian I; deposed by Arbogast and died in suspicious circumstances
383 to 388 Magnus Maximus Usurper; proclaimed emperor by troops; at one time recognized by Theodosius I, but then deposed and executed
c.386 to 388 Flavius Victor Son of Magnus Maximus, executed on orders of Theodosius I
392 to 394 Eugenius Usurper; proclaimed emperor by army under Arbogast; defeated in battle by Theodosius I

Theodosian dynasty

Reign Incumbent Notes
379 to 17 January 395 Theodosius I Made co-emperor for the east by Gratian
383 to 408
EAST		 Arcadius Appointed co-emperor with his father Theodosius I; sole emperor for the east from January 395
23 January 393 to 15 August 423
WEST		 Honorius Appointed Augustus for the west by his father Theodosius I
407 to 411
WEST		 Constantine III Usurper; proclaimed emperor in Britain; defeated by Constantius III
409 to 411
WEST		 Constans II Usurper; made emperor by his father Constantine III; killed in battle
409 and 414 to 415
WEST		 Priscus Attalus Usurper; twice proclaimed emperor by Visigoths under Alaric and twice deposed by Honorius
409 to 411
WEST		 Maximus Usurper; proclaimed emperor in Spain; abdicated
411 to 413
WEST		 Jovinus Usurper; proclaimed emperor after Constantine III's death, executed by Honorius
412 to 413
WEST		 Sebastianus Usurper; appointed co-emperor by Jovinus, executed by Honorius
408 to 450
EAST		 Theodosius II Son of Arcadius
421 to 421
WEST		 Constantius III Son-in-law of Theodosius I; appointed co-emperor by Honorius
423 to 425
WEST		 Joannes Proclaimed western emperor, initially undisputed; defeated and executed by Theodosius II in favour of Valentinian III
425 to 16 March 455
WEST		 Valentinian III Son of Constantius III; appointed emperor by Theodosius II; assassinated

Western Roman Empire

Reign Incumbent Notes
17 March 455 to 31 May 455 Petronius Maximus Proclaimed himself emperor after Valentinian III's death; murdered
June 455 to 17 October 456 Avitus Proclaimed emperor by the Visigoth king Theoderic II; deposed by Ricimer
457 to 2 August 461 Majorian Appointed by Ricimer; deposed and executed by Ricimer
461 to 465 Libius Severus Appointed by Ricimer; deposed and executed by Ricimer
12 April 467 to 11 July 472 Anthemius Appointed by Ricimer; deposed and executed by Ricimer
July 472 to 2 November 472 Olybrius Appointed by Ricimer
5 March 473 to June 474 Glycerius Appointed by Gundobad; deposed by Julius Nepos
June 474 to 25 April 480 Julius Nepos Appointed by eastern emperor Leo I; deposed in Italy by Orestes in 475; continued to be recognised as lawful emperor in Gaul and Dalmatia until his murder in 480
31 October 475 to 4 September 476 Romulus Augustus
(Romulus Augustulus)		 Son of Orestes; deposed by Odoacer; fate unknown
Further information: Barbarian kings of Italy

Eastern Roman Empire

See also

External links