Worst Roman Emperors

Some Roman emperors reputation for cruelty, excess, and debauchery, enabled by unbridled power at the head of a decadent society serves as a warning of absolute power today. Roman emperors had short life expectancy after ascending to the throne. Of the 69 emperors from the accession of Augustus to the reign of Theodosius, 43 suffered a violent death.

Tiberius ruled AD 14–37. He sank into morbid suspicion of everyone around him. He retreated to the island of Capri and revived the ancient accusation of maiestas (treason) and used it to sentence to death anyone he desired. Tiberius living on Capri is recorded as a depraved sexual predator. Tiberius Gold Aureus. Lugdunum. AU Strike 5/5 - Surface 3/5. US$11,150

Caligula ruled from 37–41 CE. He became infamous for his extreme feats of carnage. Nero was his nephew. Caligula was cruel, depraved, and insane. In January 41 CE officers of the Praetorian Guard, led by Cassius Chaerea, killed him. Caligula, formally Gaius, Gold Aureus. Rome, A.D. 40. Laureate head of Gaius facing right, Germanicus, Caligula's father who died in A.D. 19, facing right. Au strike 5/5, surface 2/5. US$45,000.

Nero (AD 54 to 68) debased currency mercilessly and confiscated senators' property and severely taxed to fund his palace, the Domus Aurea. Rome burned for nine days in the Great Fire. Its said Nero used the fire to clear space for his palace. Nero blamed the Christians, executing thousands. Nero Gold Aureus. Lugdunum, A.D. 56-8. Nero facing right, VF, Strike 4/5, Surface 2/5. US$10,800.

Domitian (81–96) was fearful and paranoid. Conspiracy theories consumed him, and some were true. He curtailed the Senate and expelled those he deemed unworthy. He executed officials who opposed his policies and confiscated their property. Domitian was assassinated in 96 CE, ending the Flavian dynasty. Domitian Gold Aureus. Rome. Struck AD 90-91. Superb EF. US$29,500.

Commodus (177–192) was cruel, debauched, and a corrupt megalomaniac who viewed himself as reincarnated Greek gods. He too devalued Roman currency, instituting the largest drop in value since Nero. Commodus Gold Aureus. Rome mint. Struck AD 183. Superb EF US$24,500

Elagabalus (218 to 222). Elagabalus's sin was not bloody, but acting unlike any Emperor. Writers told of his sexual perversion, feminity, bisexuality, and transvestism. Elagabalus Gold Aureus. Slow quadriga moving right, on which is set the conical stone of Emesa. Very rare. Graded NGC Ch VF Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5. Graffito. Marks. Bent. US$20,000

Caracalla (AD 211–217) dealt brutally with opponents: he exterminated all of them. Caracalla quickly turned the surplus he inherited from his father into a deficit. He was assassinated by a group of army officers, including Praetorian prefect Opellius Macrinus. Caracalla Gold Aureus. Rome mint. Struck AD 213. Near EF. Extremely rare and important. Caracalla renovated the  Circus Maximus in AD 213, and rare aurei and sestertii were issued to celebrate. This aerial view depicts the Circus as it would be seen from the Palatine Hill. US$140,000

Diocletian (AD 284–305) conducted a ruthless persecution of Christians. Diocletian set about it's total eradication. Churches were destroyed, scriptures burnt, and Christians who refused to give up their faith were tortured and executed. Diocletian Gold Aureus. Grade NGC Ch AU Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5, edge marks. US$20,000

Bronze battering rams from First Punic War

Another Egadi ram sees the sunlight again for the first time in 2,263 years – the 26th ancient bronze warship ram raised from the seabed near the Egadi islands. The Battle of the Aegates was fought in March 241 BC between the fleets of Carthage and Rome. pic.twitter.com/eT9UGOWKS2 — Gareth Harney (@OptimoPrincipi) August 26, 2023

In 2021 bronze battering rams — each weighing 450 pounds — were recovered from Roman wrecks that sunk off the coast of Sicily in 241 BC. Originally attached to the bows of warships, the rams were used against the Carthaginian fleet during the Battle of the Aegates that ended the First Punic War. Roman consul Gaius Lutatius Catullus led a newly formed fleet to confront a Carthaginian squadron commanded by Hanno. Fought in the waters around Sicily and North Africa, conflict between the Phoenicians and the Romans lasted 23 years. The First Punic War was the first of three wars fought between the Phoenicians of Carthage and Rome in the early third century BC.The Battle of the Aegates was fought off the western coast of the island of Sicily on 10 March 241 BC. It was the final naval battle between the fleets of Carthage and the Roman Republic during the First Punic War. The 23-year-long First Punic War ended with a major victory for the Roman Republic over Carthage.

Romans sunk 50 Carthaginian vessels and captured 70 more at the cost of 30 of their own ships and damage to 50 more. It's thought the fleets of both sides originally numbered some 200 vessels. Carthaginian rams had inscriptions to the god Baal on them were less well made than the Roman rams. Roman rams have an inscription by an inspector to verify that they met standards.

A unique bronze helmet discovered by marine archaeologists off the Sicilian coast are dated to the sea battle. The helmet is a Montefortino, a Celtic style-helmet that was worn across Europe, also  known as a "Roman helmet".

Diving to 120m, archaeologists examined an area of about 5 sq km, littered with the relics of the decisive battle. Bronze helmets, amphora, weapons and ancient battle rams cast in bronze, were salvaged from the seabed.

The first Punic War, with the largest naval battles of antiquity, would drag on for more than 20 years. The battle of Egadi, in 241 BC was a turning point: the Carthaginians were defeated and forced to abandon Sicily. Rome also won Corsica and Sardinia.

Reconstruction of a Hellenic trireme

Artifacts continue to be pulled from the seafloor, offering clues to the battle. 11 of 19 rams found are Roman, but this can be explained by the fact the Carthaginians captured Roman ships in a previous battle.

The many Montefortino helmets may have belonged to mercenaries from Gaul and Iberia, who fought for Carthage and were known to sometimes wear them. Near Levanzo Island, coins from the Mediterranean seafloor have been recovered. The Carthaginian fleet under Hanno had an urgent need of supply convoys carrying money, provisions, and mercenaries to reinforce Hamilcar Barca. Huge amounts of currency meant to pay mercinaries went down with the ships. Struck in bronze, silver, and debased silver or billon, coins were large and heavy, weighing roughly 17 to 19 grams.

Ancient Roman gold

Claudius. With Agrippina. Very fine to extremely fine. Estimate: 8,500 euros. Claudius ruled from 41 to 54 CE and married his niece Agrippina the Younger in 49 CE, a union that heavily shaped the final years of his reign. Agrippina was a powerful, ambitious figure. Her marriage to Claudius cemented her status, and she convinced him to grant her the title of Augusta. Agrippina persuaded Claudius to adopt her son, Nero, bypassing Claudius's own biological son, Britannicus.

Vespasian, 69-79. Aureus. Probably from the find of Bosco Reale hoard. Extremely fine. Estimate: 5,000 euros. Vespasian rose from the Year of 4 emperors to found the Flavian dynasty. He ruled from AD 69 to 79. Many coins from the Bosco Reale hoard show distinctive toning. Volcanic heat and sulfur reacted with the copper and silver alloy inside the gold, leaving a fiery auburn or violet-red surface tint. This doesn't detract from the coin's value to collectors.

Nerva aureus. Extremely fine. Estimate: 10,000 euros. Marcus Cocceius Nerva ruled as Roman Emperor from AD 96 to 98, marking the start of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty and the era of the Five Good Emperors. The Senate proclaimed Nerva emperor on September 18, AD 96, immediately following the assassination of Domitian. Facing a mutiny by the Praetorian Guard, Nerva adopted popular military commander Trajan as his heir in AD 97, continuing Rome's golden age.

Antoninus Pius, 138-161. Aureus. About mint state. Estimate: 5,000 euros. Antoninus Pius was a benevolent Roman emperor who ruled from 138 to 161 AD as the fourth of the Five Good Emperors. His 23-year reign provided very rare stability and prosperity across the empire.

Illyrian Helmet from the British Museum

Este yelmo es el famoso Casco ilirio del Museo Británico, adquirido por la institución en 1914 tras ser descubierto en el cauce del río Alfeos en Olimpia, Grecia. Además de su fina decoración, el casco cuenta con una importante inscripción grabada en alfabeto arcadio/beocio que… pic.twitter.com/Qr5RfYfjDP — El Club del Arte 🎨📷📚🖼🕍🎼 (@Arteymas_) September 23, 2026

This Illyrian Helmet from the British Museum was acquired in 1914 after being discovered in the bed of the Alfeos River in Olympia, Greece. It was crafted around 500 BC in Greece from a single hammered bronze sheet. The inscription reads that the helmet was captured and offered to the god Zeus Olympian by the inhabitants of the city of Coronea after a military victory. The lions on the brow and the figures of the riders on the cheekpieces were created as repoussé silver appliqués that were subsequently attached to the bronze with small rivets. It was likely used for religious purposes, to be displayed on panhellenic sacred altars. The Illyrians were divided among different tribes and kingdoms and were gradually conquered by the Romans in a series of wars that occurred between 229 and 168 B.C.

Mosaics of Pompeii

Pompeii has provided valuable insight to the Roman world and most agree it is the richest archaeological site in the world. Fine mosaics were a common feature in the villas of the town and depicted scenes from mythology, the owner’s business interests or animal scenes. They are of the highest artistic merit.

Plato's Academy Circle

Detail of Musician with tympanon, Villa del Cicerone

House of Neptune

Detail Alexander the Great at the Battle of Issus

Head of Medusa

Detail Satyr and nymph

As rich as Croesus

The phrase "rich as Croesus" is a famous idiom that describes someone who is extremely wealthy. It refers to the legendary King Croesus of Lydia, who was known for his immense wealth and extravagant lifestyle. His wealth came from the River Pactolus in which the King Midas washed his hands to rid himself of the 'Midas Touch'. Croesus is credited with issuing the first true gold and silver coins with a standardized purity for general circulation.

Lydia was a hugely rich and powerful state when Kroisos became king about 561 BCE. According to Herodotus, Kroisos donated 4.5 tons of gold for construction of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. The Latin form of Kroisos’ name is used today. Kroisos inherited a coinage system based upon the use of electrum. The most common examples of early Lydian coins are electrum trites (one-third staters) that weigh about 4.7 grams. The coins were first struck during the reign of Kroisos’ father, Alyattes (c. 618 – 561 BCE). Kroisos continued to strike them during the early years of his own reign.

Kroisos launched his own coinage about 550 BCE by minting nearly pure gold staters and nearly pure silver staters, each weighing around 10.7 grams. The Prototype stater is extremely rare, with about a dozen known. The example shown sold for $150k against a $50k estimate in January 2012.

Kroisos struck gold coins under two different weight standards after the Prototype issue. His first series were “Heavy Standard” weighing about 10.7 g. Kroisos replaced the Heavy Standard gold coins with a series of Light Standard gold coins, based upon a weight of 8.05 g. Silver equivalents are known for each denomination of Kroisos’ gold coinage.

Scholars argue that the gold standard of Croesus was introduced in stages, designed to recall the circulating electrum staters. Once a sufficient number had been recalled, the new light stater appeared. Though the light stater was produced for a longer period than the heavy stater, the light stater is actually the rarer coin. This NGC Gem MS light stater sold in April 2018 for $180k.

Hadrian

Hadrian was declared Emperor of Rome on this date September 22, 117. Publius Aelius Hadrianus (AD 76–138) was born in Rome on 24 January AD 76. His family – the Aelii – were from ltalica in the Roman province of Hispania Baetica (Seville in modern-day Spain). Hadrian’s father died when he was ten years old and he became the ward of his father’s cousin, the future emperor Trajan. Hadrian was the third of the Five Good Emperors and reigned during the apex of Roman power. Hadrian married, through arrangement, Vibia Sabina, grandniece of the ruling emperor, Trajan, and his second cousin once removed. His marriage was unhappy and childless. Hadrian's ascension was controversial as Trajan hadn't chosen a successor until he was on his deathbed. Trajan’s respected wife Plotina sent a letter to the Senate declaring Hadrian as the new heir. It was only after the appointment that the Senate was informed Trajan had died. With the army recognizing Hadrian as emperor, the Roman senate accepted his rule. Four senators who opposed his appointment were executed.

Hadrian had a successful reign. He completed many building projects, including the Vallum Aelium. (Hadrian’s Wall) Hadrian gained extensive military experience as a legatus during the conquests of Dacia and later Parthia. Among Trajan’s closest allies he also held the important offices of the Roman state, culminating in serving as consul. Hadrian was a military expert, but his reign saw little conflict. Hadrian's last years were marred by chronic illness. Hadrian died of heart disease at Baiae on 10 July AD 138.

Hadrian's Wall is one of Britain's major tourist attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Hadrian selected Lucius Aelius Caesar to succeed him, but Aelius died suddenly. As an alternative Hadrian appointed Antoninus Pius with the provision that he would then choose Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as his successors. Pius agreed, and the Golden Age of Rome continued. Hadrian kept a beard, and all his coins show him bearded. Some accounts suggest it hid his facial battle scars.

Archaeologists at the ancient city of Kibyra in southwestern Türkiye uncovered the remains of monumental marble statues depicting Roman Emperor Hadrian and his wife, Empress Sabina. Hadrian’s statue rose to a height of 2.14 meters (7 feet). The large marble figures once stood impressively above Kibyra’s Monumental City Entrance Gate. The rare sculptures date to around AD 130.