Biblical Profile: Roman Emperors

Roman Emperors (27 BC–AD 96)

Augustus (Octavian) (27 BC–AD 14) Became the first Roman emperor after defeating Marc Antony at the battle of Actium (31 BC); ruled with wisdom and good administration; given the title “Augustus” (27 BC), initiating emperor worship. See Luke 2:1.

Tiberius (AD 14–37) Augustus’s adopted son and chosen successor; a wise and humble ruler; appointed Pontius Pilate as governor of Judea. See Luke 3:1; John 19:12.

(Gaius) Caligula (AD 37–41) Son of Augustus’s general Germanicus, nicknamed Caligula (“Little Boot”) for his military attire; went insane, squandered the treasury, ruled as a despot, and was assassinated.

Claudius (AD 41–54) Tiberius’s nephew, proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard after Caligula’s death; friend of Herod Agrippa I; ended the persecution of Jews in Alexandria; later expelled Jews from Rome (around AD 49); married Nero’s mother Agrippina, who poisoned him. See Acts 18:2.

Nero (AD 54–68) Adopted by Claudius and succeeded him; spent time on pleasure; appealed to by Paul (who instructed the Roman Christians to submit to Nero); later murdered his wife and mother; first persecutor of Christians. See Acts 25:11; Rom 13:1-7.

Vespasian (AD 69–79) Successful legate (general) and son of a tax collector; began the Jewish War by invading Galilee (AD 67); as emperor reformed Rome’s finances, reorganized the armies, and ruled with a reputation for justice; began the construction of the Colosseum; died of illness.

Titus (AD 79–81) Son of Vespasian; finished the Jewish War with the destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70); as emperor completed the Colosseum, gave disaster relief after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius (AD 79) and a fire in Rome (AD 80); died of a fever.

Domitian (AD 81–96) Younger son of Vespasian who grew up in Titus’s shadow and coveted power; as emperor was a capable administrator, rebuilt damaged parts of Rome, proclaimed himself divine, and extorted new taxes; relentlessly persecuted Christians in later years; was assassinated.

Passages for Further Study

Rev 17:9-11