In the history of ancient Rome, appeared many famous figures. Many of them have been remembered as cruel tyrants, eg. Caligula, Nero or Caracalla. Others, on the other hand, became famous as great reformers: Augustus, Claudius, Marcus Aurelius, Diocletian, and Constantine the Great. Also, do not forget about the Roman commanders, who often rescued the Roman state from extermination.
The great creators of Roman culture who also significantly influenced the further development of the world were also remembered. I will present people who have become famous for their great deeds.
HINT: You can find a certain figure through the search engine: CTRL + F. You need to put name or surname. People are ranged by their birth dates. Beneath I present categories in which I have put the chosen figures:
- Roman rulers and emperors – kings, emperors, usurpers;
- Politicians and Roman leaders – senators, consuls, dictators etc.;
- Representatives of culture – all writers, architects, creators of works of art;
- Women – Roman women who have distinguished themselves in history;
- Other figures – other people, sometimes not directly related to Rome.
Roman rulers and emperors | |
Romulus | The first legendary king of Rome and its founder. He probably lived in the middle of the eighth century BCE. According to Romans, Romulus was the son of the god Mars and killed his brother Remus. |
Numa Pompilius | Second legendary king of Rome. Sabine, a religious legislator, creator of priest and craft colleges; he moderated the customs in Rome and passed numerous laws. |
Tullus Hostilius | The third king of Rome. He enjoyed the fame of a great warrior, the winner of Alba Longa; he won the Albanians and joined the Cellian Hill. He built many places of gatherings for the senate, including the curia of Hostilius. |
Ancus Marcius | The fourth king of Rome. Builder of the first bridge on the Tiber, founder of the port of Ostia; he joined the hills of Aventine and Janiculum to Rome. |
Lucius Tarquinius Priscus | The fifth king of Rome who was of Etruscan origin. During his reign, the construction of Circus Maximus and sewers – Cloaca Maxima – began. According to scientists, he was considered the real ruler of the Roman monarchy. |
Servius Tulius | The sixth king of Rome. Builder so-called the city walls surrounding the city. He was the first to administer the general census of Rome and to divide the society according to the property classes. In this way, he increased the size of the army and reduced the domination of patricians. |
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus | The seventh and last Roman king of Etruscan origin. Finally, overthrown by the aristocracy. According to scientists, he was considered the real ruler of the Roman monarchy. |
Augustus | The creator of the new system – the principate. Founder of the first imperial dynasty – Julio-Claudian dynasty. He reigned as an emperor from 30 BCE to 14 CE. In general, however, the years of Octavian’s reign were a period of internal peace and economic prosperity, and wars were fought only on the outskirts of Rome. |
Tiberius | He reigned in the years 14 BCE – 37 CE, Thanks to the adoption by Octavian, he entered the Julio-Claudian dynasty and became the second emperor of Rome. |
Claudius | He reigned in the years 41-54 CE, He was one of the best-educated and enlightened rulers of Rome who, despite his reluctance, gained power by force. |
Galba | He tried to introduce strict discipline and economy in the army. Initially supported by his backer – Otho, he eventually died at his command. He ruled from June 68 CE until January 69. |
Vespasian | He reigned in 69-79 CE. The first ruler from the Flavian dynasty. He distinguished himself as a reformer and reogranizer of Roman statehood, he strengthened the borders of the empire. |
Caligula | He reigned in the years 37-41 CE. Caligula initially ruled along with the Senate and gained great popularity. A few months after taking over the power, he suffered a serious illness. After returning to health, he changed his attitude. He became cruel and unpredictable. He resumed the trials for else majesty, disposed of the Senate, demanded that he and his close family be worshiped. |
Vitelius | After the suicide, Otho proclaimed himself the ruler of Rome. Defeated by Vespasian in the battle of Cremona, he was drowned in the Tiber. |
Nerva | Emperor in the years 96-98 CE. The ancestor of the Antonine dynasty. He was a much gentler emperor than his predecessor, Domitian. He freed prison |