Biographies of Romans

This page is also available in: Polish (polski)

The history of ancient Rome saw the emergence of many outstanding figures who left a lasting mark on the history of the world. Some of them are remembered by posterity as cruel tyrants, such as Caligula, Nero, and Caracalla. Others became renowned as reformers and builders of the Roman state’s power, including Augustus, Claudius, Marcus Aurelius, Diocletian, and Constantine the Great. It is also impossible to ignore the Roman generals, who often saved the state from collapse.

History also includes outstanding figures of Roman culture – writers, philosophers, and artists whose work had a profound impact on the development of European civilization. In this section, I present profiles of individuals who achieved great deeds or whose actions left a lasting mark on the pages of history.

Gnaeus Julius Agricola

(13 June 40 - 23 August 93 CE)

Statue of Julius Agricola in Bath (England). Tacitus, as a son-in-law, speaks in a positive way about Agricola, whom he considers a great man. Tacitus was the husband of Agricola’s only daughter – Julia Agricola.…Więcej

Martial

(c. 40 - c. 102-104 CE)

Martial Martial (Marcus Valerius Martialis) was a Roman poet born in Augusta Blbilis in Spain around 40 CE. We don’t know much about the first 40 years of his life. He came to Rome in…Więcej

Britannicus

(12 February 41 - 11 February 55 CE)

Detail of the statue showing Britannicus in the arms of his mother – Messalina. Author: Gautier Poupeau | Na licencji Creative Commons Uznanie autorstwa - Na tych samych warunkach 2.0. Britannicus was born as Tiberius…Więcej

Domitian

(24 October 51 - 18 September 96 CE)

Domitian Name Titus Flavius Domitianus Ruled as Imperator Caesar Domitianus Germanicus Augustus Reign 14 September 81 – 18 September 96 CE Born 24 October 51 CE Died 18 September 96 CE Coin of Domitian Domitian…Więcej

Trajan

(18 September 53 - 9 August 117 CE)

Trajan Name Marcus Ulpius Traianus Ruled as Imperator Caesar Divi Nervae Filius Nerva Traianus Germanicus Augustus Reign 28 January 98 – 9 August 117 CE Born 18 September 53 CE Died 9 August 117 CE…Więcej

Publius Cornelius Tacitus

(55 - 120 CE)

Publius Cornelius Tacitus Publius Cornelius Tacitus, also called Tacitus, was born in 55 CE, most likely in Gaul. His other name may have been Gaius. Tacitus is called a king of Roman historians. He was…Więcej

Pliny the Younger

(61 - c. 113 CE)

Pliny the Younger Pliny the Younger (Plinius Minor) was born as Gaius Caecilius Cilo in 61 CE in Comum Novum (now Como in Lombardy, in northern Italy). Pliny was a lawyer, writer, and Roman official.…Więcej

Suetonius

(c. 69 - after 122 CE)

Suetonius in the illustration from the Nuremberg Chronicle. Suetonius (Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus) was probably born around 69 CE in Italy. Roman writer and historian, creator of the biography of Roman emperors. He wrote in both…Więcej

Hadrian

(24 January 76 - 10 July 138 CE)

Hadrian Name Publius Aelius Hadrianus Ruled as Imperator Caesar Divi Traiani filius Traianus Hadrianus Augustus Reign 11 August 117 – 10 July 138 CE Born 24 January 76 CE Died 10 July 138 CE Coin…Więcej

Pliny the Elder

(23 - 25 August 79 CE)

Pliny the Elder on the nineteenth-century image. Interestingly, in a letter from Pliny the Younger to Tacitus about the eruption of Vesuvius, Pliny the Elder is presented as a very fat person, so the artist’s…Więcej
Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

IMPERIUM ROMANUM needs your support!

If you like the content I collect on the website and share it on social media channels, I will be grateful for your support. Even the smallest amounts will allow me to pay for further corrections and improvements on the site and pay for the server.

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!
Subscribe to newsletter

Discover secrets of ancient Rome!

If you want to be up to date with the newest articles on the website and discoveries from ancient Rome, subscribe to the newsletter, which is sent each Saturday.

Subscribe to newsletter!