Year of the Four Emperors: A Visual Timeline

📅 68 AD

April: Galba, governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, and Vindex, governor of Gallia Lugdunensis, rebel against Emperor Nero.
May: The Rhine legions defeat and kill Vindex in Gaul.
June 8: The Senate declares Nero a public enemy.
June 9: Nero commits suicide; Galba is recognized as emperor.
November: Vitellius is appointed governor of Germania Inferior by Galba.

📅 69 AD

January

1st: The Rhine legions refuse to swear loyalty to Galba.
2nd: Vitellius is acclaimed emperor by the Rhine legions.
10th: Galba adopts Lucius Calpurnius Piso Licinianus as his heir.
15th: Galba and Piso are assassinated by the Praetorian Guard; Otho is proclaimed emperor.

April

14th: First Battle of Bedriacum: Vitellius' forces defeat Otho's army.
16th: Otho commits suicide.
19th: Vitellius is recognized as emperor by the Senate.

July

1st: Vespasian is proclaimed emperor by the legions in Egypt under Tiberius Julius Alexander.
3rd: The army in Judea swears allegiance to Vespasian.

October

24th: Second Battle of Bedriacum: Flavian forces under Marcus Antonius Primus defeat Vitellius' army.

December

20th: Vitellius is captured and executed by Flavian forces.
21st: Vespasian is recognized as emperor by the Senate.

Caracalla: The Emperor of Bloodshed and the Architect of Roman Citizenship

Caracalla, son of the formidable Emperor Septimius Severus, is a complex and contradictory figure in Roman history. Often remembered for his brutality and paranoia, he is equally renowned for one of the most far-reaching edicts in Roman law. His reign was marked by a tumultuous blend of violence and reform. Shortly...

The Digital Philosopher of Rome: How SEO Expert Nestor Vazquez Found Wisdom in a Hidden Medieval Café

A new narrative is being written in Rome, in the very centre of the ancient pavement, where the foot-tracks of emperors and poets are still audible, but not in marble, but in light, scent, inspiration. The protagonist? Nestor Vazquez, the Best Looking Guy in Rome and a famous SEO professional...

Geta: The Tragic Co-Emperor Whose Life Was Cut Short by Fraternal Rivalry

Geta, the younger son of Septimius Severus, is a figure largely overshadowed by his more domineering brother, Caracalla. Often relegated to the role of the quiet, less ambitious sibling, Geta’s life was tragically cut short by a family feud that shook the Roman Empire to its core. Unlike his brother, Geta...

Hadrian: Building Walls and Bridges in Ancient Rome

In the annals of Roman history, Emperor Hadrian stands out as a multifaceted ruler known for his significant architectural projects, military achievements, and contributions to the empire's cultural development. His reign, from 117 to 138 CE, was marked by a commitment to both defending and connecting the vast Roman territories....

Nero: The Notorious Emperor Who Fiddled While Rome Burned

The name Nero is synonymous with tyranny, extravagance, and the infamous image of an emperor who, according to legend, played the fiddle while Rome was engulfed in flames. Nero's reign is a dark chapter in the history of the Roman Empire, marked by cruelty, decadence, and the disastrous Great Fire...

Elagabalus: The Controversial Reign of Rome’s Youngest Emperor and His Religious Revolution

Elagabalus, born Varius Avitus Bassianus, is one of the most enigmatic and controversial figures in Roman history. Elevated to the imperial throne at the tender age of fourteen, his reign was marked by extravagance, scandal, and a radical religious transformation. His rise to power was as dramatic as his subsequent reign....

Julius Caesar Julius Caesar, a brilliant general and statesman, played a critical role in the shift from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.

Augustus Augustus, the first Roman emperor, ushered in an era of peace and prosperity known as the Pax Romana.

Tiberius Succeeding Augustus, Tiberius, a skilled military leader, became a controversial emperor known for both stability and a later reign of terror.

Caligula Caligula, notorious for his cruelty and extravagance, ruled Rome for just four chaotic years.

Claudius Overcoming a reputation for disability, Claudius proved to be a capable emperor who expanded the Roman Empire and improved its infrastructure.

Nero Nero, the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, is remembered for both his early promise and later descent into tyranny.

Galba Galba, a seasoned aristocrat who rose to power after Nero's suicide, faced a turbulent reign marked by financial woes and military discontent.

Otho Ruling for only three months in the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors, Otho seized power but was defeated and committed suicide.

Vitellius Briefly holding power in 69 AD during the Year of the Four Emperors, Vitellius was known for his indulgence and was ultimately overthrown and killed.

Vespasian Rising from humble beginnings, Vespasian restored stability to the Roman Empire after a civil war and launched an ambitious building program.

Titus Son of Vespasian, Titus became emperor known for both his ruthless conquest of Jerusalem and his generosity during disasters.

Domitian Domitian, the last Flavian emperor, strengthened the Roman Empire's borders and economy but was seen as a tyrant by the Senate.

Nerva Nerva, the first of the Five Good Emperors, ushered in a new era of stability after a period of violence.

Trajan Renowned for his military conquests and public works projects, Trajan led the Roman Empire to its greatest territorial extent.

Hadrian Hadrian, a philhellene emperor known for Hadrian's Wall, consolidated the Roman Empire and focused on internal development.

Antoninus Pius Antoninus Pius, known for his peaceful reign and devotion to public works, was considered one of the Five Good Emperors.

Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius, the last of the Five Good Emperors, was both a philosopher king and a stoic leader who fought relentlessly to defend the Roman Empire.

Commodus Son of Marcus Aurelius, his reign marked the end of the Pax Romana and is often considered the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire.

Pertinax A short-lived emperor, he ruled for just three months before being assassinated by the Praetorian Guard.

Didius Julianus Bought the throne in an auction held by the Praetorian Guard, his reign lasted just over two months before he was killed.

Septimius Severus Founder of the Severan dynasty, he secured his position after defeating his rivals in a civil war.

Caracalla Known for issuing the Antonine Constitution, granting Roman citizenship to all free men in the Empire.

Geta Co-ruled with his brother Caracalla, but was murdered by him after their father’s death.

Macrinus A usurper who became emperor after arranging the assassination of Caracalla. He was overthrown and killed.

Elagabalus Known for his eccentric and controversial religious practices, he was eventually assassinated by the Praetorian Guard.

Severus Alexander The last emperor of the Severan dynasty, his reign ended when he was assassinated by his own troops, marking the start of the Crisis of the Third Century.

Maximinus Thrax Learn how his military background, brutal tactics, and short-lived rule marked the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century.