The Ten Greatest Roman Emperors

Ancient Rome is one of the most fascinating periods in history. From the mythological founding of the city by Romulus and Remus to the fall of the Western Roman Empire almost 1,000 years later, the realms of classic history, philosophy, art and politics have been shaped by these men.

The people of the Roman empire regarded their emperors as kings and, in some cases, as their god. The topic of who were the best Roman emperors is hotly debated.

Let’s examine what we think are some of the greatest examples of Roman leadership.

0:00 Introduction
0:57 10. Emperor Justinian
2:04 9. Emperor Vespasian
3:14 8. Emperor Constantine
4:24 7. Emperor Aurelian
5:15 6. Emperor Tiberius
6:27 5. Emperor Hadrian
8:10 4. Emperor Claudius
9:49 3. Emperor Trajan
11:05 2. Emperor Marcus Aurelius
12:14 1. Emperor Augustus

Please subscribe

#Rome #classics

[classicmasterworks]

Do you agree with our list? Who would be your choice for the greatest Roman Emperor? Let us know and don't forget to subscribe

[LIBREPUB]

Trajan is my favorite, but this is a great list. I’m so glad I was able to go to Rome and see the remaining treasures of the empire. I was there in November and literally had Trajans market all to myself…it was goose bumps.

[AlejandroSanchez-pljw]

I wish the tv series Rome was longer than two seasons. It was beautiful and gave the blue print to GOT.

[stevenleslie]

Augustus was the first and most successful Roman emperor. It is uncertain the empire could have survived if had not had been.

[connorgolden]

My list is

10. Majorian. Dude defied the odds! Smacked barbarians around and would’ve restored the empire if not for his betrayal! We were so close!
9. Gallienus. Despite setbacks he dealt with it contained countless issues and started reforms that would change the empire from the principate to the dominate. It’s a shock that assassins got to him before the stress and depression did.
8. Domitian. Brilliant administrator. Fixed inflation and the economy. Sadly his relations with the senate, while justifiable, got him killed.
7. Trajan. Brought the empire to its greatest extent. Had great success. But his conquests proved to be too much for the empire and they needed to be abandoned.
6. Marcus Aurelius. Had success in both Parthia and germania. A very intelligent and competent ruler. Although his son was meh. His conquests were arguably unsustainable. And personal his intellect gets inflated with being a great ruler. Still a damn good emperor.
5. Diocletian. Ended the crisis of the third century and brought order back to the empire. Made massive reforms to both the army and government that did a lot to keep the crisis from continuing. Promoted competent co emperors who alongside him ruled very capably in tackling the various issues at hand. Sadly some of his reforms backfired or died with him. Or had long term bad effects.
4. Hadrian. Consolidated the empire after Trajan went a bit too far. Built lots of great works. Ruled over a mostly peaceful empire.
3. Constantine. Besides introducing Christianity he also made reforms. Had numerous military successes. Ended a period of renewed civil war. Founded Constantinople and made it the new capital.
2. Aurelian. The empire likely would’ve collapsed without him. He reunited the empire and saved the day before his early death. Defeated countless foes. Made needed fixes to deal with the economy and deal with corruption and waste. Promoted very competent men who would later on rule the empire. Sadly a bit too harsh and that would lead to his death.
1. Augustus. Come on. No brainer. Former the empire. Genius politician and administrator. Reformed the army into a professional one. Multiple tax and administrative reforms. Military success (except Germania sadly). Long stable rule. Sadly shit luck with heirs.

[vladlenin]

Good list, but I think Vespasian deserves to be higher. The guy virtually saved Rome from imploding and picked up the pieces from the mess of Nero's rule. Also restored honour to the position of Emperor.

[marcusaurelius]

My TOP 10 Greatest Roman Emperors:

10. Romulus Augustulus
9. Maximinus Thrax
8. Balbinus
7. Pupienus
6. Caracalla
5. Didius Julianus
4. Caligula
3. Elagabalus
2. Commodus
1. Honorius

[jacksonidonthaveone]

My Top 10:
10. Justinian
9. Claudius
8. Domitian
7. Marcus Aurelius
6. Hadrian
5. Diocletian
4. Constantine
3. Aurelian
2. Trajan
1. Augustus

[thomasingarra]

Antoninus Pius, the 'Eisenhower' of the Roman Empire, preserved the Pax Romana and wonderfully stabilized the government. His reign was solid and he was just and able.

[amirkhonyusupov]

Very uncontroversial list but I would say:
10:Claudius
9:Majorian
8:Marcus Aurelius
7:Domitian
6:Diocletian
5:Hadrian
4:Constantine
3:Trajan
2:Aurelian
1:Augustus

[kensingcd]

Tiberius was proof that you could be personally abhorrent, but also an exceptional government administrator

[TonyFontaine]

Marcus Aurelius has no business being at 2. What did he accomplish over Aurelian, Trajan, and Hadrian?

[Eazy-ERyder]

After further thought and research I respect more this last but I put Constantine THE GREAT at #3
5. AURELIAN
4. Marcus Aurelius
3. Constantine (THE GREAT)
2. Augustus
1. Trajan

[DiviAugusti]

God damn. Claudius ahead of Hadrian is a bold choice.

[distantlight]

Absurd to put Marcus Aurelius at number 2 when his decision to make his terrible son his heir had such an enormous negative impact on the empire.

[FeppyWeppy]

My list is

1. Augustus (obvious reasons)
2. Basil II (made the empire rich and strong)
3. Trajan (brought the empire to its height but he overextended it a tad bit)
4. Hadrian (he fixed all of trajans big problems)
5. Heraclius (restored the empires borders after succeeding phocas)
6. Constantine (meh Roman emperor great emperor for Byzantium)
7. Aurelian (restored the empire but the economy inflated even more preventing him from going up)
8. Domitian (the only emperor who controlled inflation)
9. Marcus Aurelius (came up to a challenge when he needed to)
10. John II (the best of the kommennian dynasty)
11. Antoninus pius (he had it easy but he did not fail at all)
12. Anastazius I (he helped gain the empire a massive surplus of money)
13. Justinian I (he gave the empire North Africa and made law more efficient but he was reckless)
14. Vespasian (he restabilized the empire and gave it money)
15. Diocletian (he had the empire become stable during his reign ending a massive crisis)
16. Alexios I (he started a period of restoration after a massive crisis)
17. Theodore I (he kept the empire alive after 1204)
18. Gallienus (he had to go through so much and he somehow managed to keep the empire alive while dealing with plague, countless usurpers, and countless invasions)
19. Maurice (I like home but he kinda caused the revolt that caused phocas to be emeperor)
20. Titus (Did not last enough time)
21. Claudius (he was overall pretty good)
22. Majorian (he almost had a miraculous restoration of the Western Roman Empire)
23. Probus (continued rebuilding the empire during the crisis of the third century)
24. Tiberius (he was like Domitian but worse
25. Michael VIII (he retook Constantinople from the Latin empire)
26. Gaius Julius Ceaser (lol)


11-25 are in no specific order

[parrotbird]

Honestly if I could give a list it would be this:

10: Majorian (WE WERE THIS CLOSE)
9: Valentinian I (Very capable general and strong ruler during the 4th century)
8: Domitian (Fixed inflation, amazing administration)
7: Vespasian (Great general, decent ruler, maintained stability after the year of four emperors)
6: Antoninus Pius (Played on easy mode)
5: Marcus Aurelius (Very smart, capable general, fought off the Antonine Plague, and dealt with Parthia)
4: Hadrian (Stabilized the empire after Trajan, consolidated defenses, kept the military in top shape, and public monuments galore)
3: Trajan (I mean cmon, it’s pretty obvious, with Parthia and Dacia being some of the most impressive conquests done by Rome)
2: Aurelian (Although it’s pretty well known, it’s again fairly obvious why the restutor orbis is up so high, especially after doing all of that work within 5 years.
1: Augustus (Yeah pretty much predicted, set up an empire that would last for nearly 1500 years, crafty, expanded the empire, and pretty much the best you could get)
Honorable mentions:
Diocletian, Constantine, Claudius, Claudius Gothicus, Probus, Gallienus, Basil II, Justinian, and Heraclius

[alexh]

My top 10 would be:
10: Marcus Aurelius
9:Vespasian
8: Tiberius
7: Diocletian
6: Claudius
5: Hadrian
4: Constantine
3: Augustus
2: Aurelian
1: Trajan

Now If we are talking favourites then Majorian and Aurelian all the way.

[rodneybarton-hall]

What a wonderful topic to throw into the debating hall! I have to admit that I rate Augustus as not only the greatest Roman emperor but, with his relentless diligence, vision and statesmanship, the greatest autocratic ruler in history.

[baileyfawcett]

1. Diocletian
2. Augustus
3. Heraclius
4. Constantine I
5. Hadrian
6. Justinian
7. Trajan
8. Aurelian
9. Basil II
10. Marcus Aurelius
11. Anastasius I
12. Constantius III