The Roman Empire imposed itself on 3 continents (Europe, Asia and part of Africa). At its widest extent, the Roman World encompassed a multiracial society of 50 million people. Emperors came from Spain, Syria and Africa. Pax Romana started to crumble with Marcus Aurelius who spent 2 decades fighting 4 wars and an outbreak of the plague. Visit Roman Occupation for a brief blurb about their invasion of Britain. Below are the Roman Emperors with some brief reigns omitted and overlapping dates indicating co-rule:
Names | Dates |
Augustus | 27 BC – AD 14 |
Tiberius | AD 14 – 37 |
Caligula | AD 37 – 41 |
Claudius | 41 – 54 |
Nero | 54 – 68 |
Galba | 68 – 69 |
Otho | 69 |
Vitellius | 69 |
Vespasian | 69 – 79 |
Titus | 79 – 81 |
Domitian | 81 – 96 |
Nerva | 96 – 98 |
Trajan | AD 98 – 117 |
Hadrian | 117 – 138 |
Antonius Pius | 138 – 161 |
Marcus Aurelius | 161 -180 |
Commodus | 177 – 192 |
Pertinax | 193 |
Didius Julianus | 193 |
Septinius Sevenus | 193 -211 |
Caracalla | 198 – 217 |
Geta | 209 – 212 |
Macrinus | 217 – 218 |
Elagaballis | 218 – 222 |
Severus Alexander | 222 – 235 |
Maximinus | 235 – 238 |
Gordian I and II | 238 |
Gordian III | 238 – 244 |
Phillip | 244 – 249 |
Decius | 249 – 251 |
Trebonianus Gallus | 251 – 253 |
Valerian | 253 – 260 |
Gallienus | 253 -268 |
Claudius II | 268 – 270 |
Aurelian | 270 – 275 |
Probus | 276 – 282 |
Carinus and Numerian | 283 – 284 |
Diocletian and the Tetrarchy | 284 – 305 |
Constantine and the later Tetrarchy | 306 – 313 |
Joint Rule of Constantine and Licinus | 313 – 324 |
Constantine – sole ruler | 324 – 337 |
[+]that the Pantheon in Rome was built by the amateur architect, Hadrian (who was a later emperor)?
[+]that the great Cathedral (later Mosque) of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was built in the 6th century Ad?
[+]that the most famous fountain in Europe, the Trevi Fountain in Rome, is actually the terminus of an ancient 13-mile aqueduct called the Aqua Virgo or the virgin spring?
[+] that Constantine moved the capitol east of Byzantium which he renamed Constantinople and became the first Christian emperor?
[+] Palmyra in Syria was sacked in AD 273 and after their queen, Zenobia, challenged imperial rule. She was reportedly carted away in gold chains.
[+] the two greatest military messages are attributed to Julius Caesar after his battle of Zela (he announced to the Senate his victory over Pharnaces): “Veni, Vidi, Vici.” (I came, I saw, I conquered.) and British General Sr. Charles James Napier – “Peccavi.”
[+]Juba II, the Berber rules of Mauretania, was brought to Rome as a prisoner, became a seasoned scholar and a favorite of Emperor Augustus. He was sent home as a king.
However, who would have thought that the great Britain was actually invaded under Caesar’s rule. Well, they were. At the end of August 55BC, Julius Caesar set sail for Britain. Caesar didn’t bank on nature ruining his ships (the gales and tides on the sea), but the Brits still got beaten by the superiorly fighting Roman force just after 2 weeks. He, however, returned in the next year. A British leader, Cassivellaunus, tried to fight the Romans, but Caesar succeeded in overpowering the British forces. Following Caesar’s untimely death, there was an uneasy peace for a century. However, an third invasion was planned under Emperor Claudius. After 2 days, Britain overpowered under the tired command of Cunobelinus, the tribal chief and Plautius, the Roman force commander. This information was gotten from Battle 1066.
During the Roman Occupation, some walls were built by Antonium Pius and Hadrian. This information was gotten from Battle 1066 and his information was gotten from Battle 1066 (2).
Eboracum = York
Lindum = Lincoln
Londinum = London
Venta Belgarum = Winchester
Isca Dumnoniorum = Exeter
Verulamium = St. Albans
Venta Icenoram = Caistor (near Norwich)
Durovernum = Canterbury
Glevum = Gloucester
Aquae Sulis = Bath
Vectis = Isle of Wight
Camulodunum = Colchester
Despite the occupation, indigenous tribes were still existent. The major Celtic tribes were:
Brigantes = Northumbria
Iceni = East Anglia
Ordovices = North Wales
Silures = South Wales
Atrebates = Thames Valley
Dumnonii = Cornwall – Devon
Belgae = Dorset – Wiltshire
Regni = Sussex – Hampshire
Trinovantes = Essex
Catuvellauni = Midlands
Dobuni = Severn Valley
Parisi = YorkshireFor more, visit the National Geographic Society or write or call:
NGS,
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Washington, DC 20090-8199
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