69 AD was the most tumultuous year in the history of the Roman Empire.

In one year, four different men held the title of Emperor. When it started, Rome was in chaos. When it ended, Rome returned to stability.

Let's explore Rome's Year of the 4 Emperors 🏛️🧵 The reason why it was called The Year of the Four Emperors is quite clear.

In 69 BC, for different men held the title of Roman Emperor:

Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian.

Never in the Roman Empire had power shifted hands so quickly.

When he was born, his name was Octavian.

When he died, his name was Augustus.

The story of how a distant relative of Julius Caesar beat the odds to become the first Emperor of Rome. /🏛️🧵 Gaius Octavius Thurinus was born on September 23rd 63 BC in the city of Rome, on the Palentine Hill, very close to the Roman Forum.

Even though we know him as "Octavian", technically his name was Octavius.

Caligula is at the top of every "Rome's Worst Emperors" list.

Surprisingly, his reign started off well, but then it took a turn for the worse.

What happened?

Let's do a deep dive into the reign of the mad Emperor; Caligula. / 🏛️🧵 Who was Caligula?

Caligula was the 3rd Roman Emperor in the Julio-Claudian dynasty (succeeding Tiberius and preceding Claudius) and his reign only lasted four short years from 16 March 37 AD - 24 January 41 AD. He was born Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus on August 31, 12 AD.

He came from an excellent bloodline. His father was Germanicus, a famous Roman general and grandson of Mark Antony. His mother was Agrippina the Elder, the granddaughter on Augustus.

The name we know him by, Caligula, was actually a nickname that stood for "little boots." This nickname was given to him by the soldiers of his father's army, due to the miniature military boots he wore as a child. The name stuck, but he reportedly disliked it as an adult.

Caligula was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard on January 24th 41 AD. Why was he assassinated by the soldiers whose job was to protect him? More on that later...

From whispers of power to cries of despair.

The famous last words of Roman Emperors. /🧵 Augustus

Rome's first Emperor Augustus died on August 19th 14 AD. Ancient historians hint that he was poisoned by his wife Livia. His last words refer to the role he played as Rome's first Emperor.

The movie Gladiator II introduces the characters of Caracalla, Geta, and Macrinus to the Gladiator franchise.

The movie got the names right, but it is full of historical inaccuracies.

Here's the actual story of these three figures from Roman History. /🧵 Caracalla and Geta were the sons of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, who founded the Severan dynasty.

The Roman Empire it's share of bad Emperors.

But nine of them were particularly vile.

Tyranny, debauchery, madness, murder: it's all on display with these worst of the worst Emperors of Rome. /🧵


Tiberius

Dynasty: Julio-Claudian

Reign: 17 September 14 – 16 March 37 (22 years, 5 months and 27 days)

Bio:

Tiberius Claudius Nero, was the second Roman Emperor. Adopted by Augustus, he was a skilled military commander and administrator. Tiberius initially maintained the stability of the empire but became increasingly reclusive, ruling from Capri in his later years. His reign is marred by the notorious maiestas (treason) trials, driven by paranoia and political intrigue. Tiberius’ governance set important precedents for Roman imperial administration, but his legacy is overshadowed by his perceived tyranny and the brutal suppression of perceived threats to his authority.

Why he's on the list:
• Didn't want to be Emperor in the first place
• Abandoned Rome and self-exiled himself to Capri
• Did unspeakably bad things on that island
• Extremely paranoid
• Unjustly killed several people through his "Treason Trials"

Nobody knew how to celebrate a victory quite like ancient Rome knew how to celebrate a victory.

When a military commander returned from a victorious campaign, the entire city of Rome was treated to a spectacle.

Let's relive ancient Rome's most glorious victory celebration. /🧵 Ancient Rome observed military victories with ceremonies designed to honor the victorious military leader, inspire loyalty among Roman citizens, and celebrate the might of Rome.

Of all the ceremonies, one stood out as the most magnificent...

Some people think that Marcus Aurelius was a doomer.

Not even close.

Need proof?

Here are 10 beautifully uplifting passages from Meditations / 🧵 1/ "To be like the rock that waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved and the raging of the sea falls still around it."

Ancient Rome was a brutal period in history, fraught with violence, conflict, and warfare.

But there was a 200 year period of Roman History where chaos took a back seat to order.

Let's explore the most glorious time in Roman History. 🧵 The period in Roman History I am speaking of is the Pax Romana.

This phrase is Latin for "Roman Peace" and refers to a long period of peace and stability across the Roman Empire.

Throughout Roman History, pirates ruled the seas, wreaking havoc and terrorizing Roman citizens.

But in 75 BC, they picked the wrong Roman to mess with, and things turned out bad for them. Very bad.

Who did they kidnap and what grisly fate did they meet? 💀🧵 When we think of pirates, ancient Rome may not come to mind.

But pirates were a significant problem throughout Roman history.

Piracy ran rampant due to lack of a centralized naval force to combat them.

"Only one in ten will get this."

If you're one of the other nine, this thread is for you.

Let's explore the dark side of Roman History and do a deep dive into ancient Rome's most brutal form of discipline. 💀🧵 The practice I am referring to is Decimation.

It was extreme, it was viscous, it was savage. What was Decimation? When was it performed? Under what circumstances?

Read on, if you have the stomach for it.

Ancient Rome is beloved and revered by many.

But it had one shameful practice that left an indelible black mark on its reputation.

Let's explore the most vile and reprehensible act from ancient Rome. 💀🧵 The despicable act I am referring to is Proscription.

A brutal method of political purging used during the late Roman Republic to suppress political opposition while redistributing wealth and power to the ruling factions.

And when I say brutal, I mean brutal.

Cicero was one of ancient Rome's most complex figures.

Equally beloved and despised. At the height of his power he was considered the Father of Rome. But yet he met a grisly end.

Let's do a deep dive into one of ancient Rome's most revered and complex figures; Cicero 🧵 Who was Cicero?

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, orator, philosopher, and writer. He is one of ancient Rome's most well known people.

His rise to political prominence was a steep one as he started from the bottom and climbed his way up the political ladder.

The Battle of Actium was one of the most impactful battles in Roman History.

It drove the final nail into the coffin of the Roman Republic and gave birth to the Roman Empire.

Let's do a deep dive into the people and events that lead to this historical battle. 🧵 Before we dive into the events that lead to the Battle of Actium, let's introduce the major players.

There were four key players in the events we will discuss in this thread:

• Octavian
• Agrippa
• Mark Antony
• Cleopatra

The Battle of Actium was the final battle in a string of bloody Civil Wars that ravaged the late Roman Republic.

The final nail in the coffin of the Roman Republic, it gave birth to the Roman Empire.

Let's explore the events that culminated in the Battle of Actium.

/Thread 🧵 Before we dive into the events that lead to the Battle of Actium, let's introduce the major players.

There were four key players in the events we will discuss in this thread:

• Octavian
• Agrippa
• Mark Antony
• Cleopatra

For 482 years Rome was a Republic.

But in 27 BC it all came toppling down.

What happened? Why did such a long-standing from of government come to an end?

Let's take a deep dive into the Fall of the Roman Republic. /🧵 Rome was originally established as a Kingdom, ruled by a single King who held supreme power.

But Roman citizens grew tired of the of the Kings and the Republic was established in 509 BC, bringing the Kingdom, and Kings, to an end.

No one man should ever rule Rome again.

New to Roman History?

Want to completely transform yourself from a Roman History newbie to a true Romanophile?

That is an admirable goal my friend 🫡 I got you covered.

Here are the 10 books you must read to become an expert in Roman History 🧵 I recommend a mix of contemporary authors and ancient historians.

The ancient historians write from closer historical proximity, but can be dense.

Contemporary authors can be easier to read; but can write more to entertain that educate.

A mix of contemporary and ancient authors provides a great blend of education and entertainment to keep you going on your Roman History reading journey.

Famous last words of Roman Emperors 🏛️🧵

Augustus

Rome's first Emperor Augustus died on August 19th 14 AD. Ancient historians hint that he was poisoned by his wife Livia. His last words refer to the role he played as Rome's first Emperor. Nero

Nero, one of Rome's most megalomaniac Emperors, died on June 9th 68 AD. Declared an enemy of the state, he was forced to take his own life. Nero was more interested in being a performer than Emperor, as his final words reflect.

Julius Caesar is one of the most powerful, admired, and artistically depicted figures from Roman History.

Caesar and the renowned events of his life were a favorite topic for majestic works of art over the centuries.

These are the best. 🧵

Julius Caesar - Peter Paul Rubens Vercingetorix throws down his arms at the feet of Julius Caesar - Lionel Royer - 1899

The painting depicts the surrender of the Gallic chieftain Vercingetorix after the Battle of Alesia (52 BC).

G.K. Chesterton said:

"Men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her."

The love of the Roman Empire continued long after it fell, and it inspired breathtaking works of art portraying it's Emperors.

Here are 10 of the greatest.

/Thread🧵 "Augustus At The Tomb Of Alexander The Great" (1878) by Lionel-Noël Royer

This painting depicts a meeting between two storied figures from history, Octavian—soon to be named Augustus—visiting the grave of the long-dead Alexander the Great.

The Roman Empire's Most Horrible Emperors

The Roman Empire had more than it's fair share of dreadful Emperors.

But some of them were particularly vile and/or incompetent.

Let's examine the worst of the worst Emperors of Rome.

/Thread 🧵 Tiberius

Dynasty: Julio-Claudian

Reign: 17 September 14 – 16 March 37 (22 years, 5 months and 27 days)

Bio:

Tiberius Claudius Nero, was the second Roman Emperor. Adopted by Augustus, he was a skilled military commander and administrator. Tiberius initially maintained the stability of the empire but became increasingly reclusive, ruling from Capri in his later years. His reign is marred by the notorious
treason trials, driven by paranoia. His legacy is overshadowed by his perceived tyranny and the brutal suppression of perceived threats to his authority.

Why he's on the list:
• Didn't want to be Emperor in the first place
• Abandoned Rome and self-exiled himself to Capri
• Did unspeakable things on that island
• Extremely paranoid
• Unjustly killed several people through his "Treason Trials"