Roman Emperors
Trajan
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Background Information :Trajan was born in 53 B.C.E. The current Emperor, Nerva, was growing old, so asked Trajan if he would be his successor, which Trajan accepted. Nerva died in 98 B.C.E, thus Trajan became Emperor.
The Good: Trajan reduced taxes, increased free giving of food, and took steps to maintain a supply of grain. He also created special funds for the poor children.
THE UGLY: Trajan liked bloodsport. He supported the Gladiators, were prisoners who fought to the death with each other. There was also the chariot races where drivers were either dragged to their death or went out of control causing a spectacular chain-reaction crash with several other chariots.
The Good: Trajan reduced taxes, increased free giving of food, and took steps to maintain a supply of grain. He also created special funds for the poor children.
THE UGLY: Trajan liked bloodsport. He supported the Gladiators, were prisoners who fought to the death with each other. There was also the chariot races where drivers were either dragged to their death or went out of control causing a spectacular chain-reaction crash with several other chariots.
Hadrian
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Background information:Hadrian was born in 76 BCE. During Trajan's 19 year reign, Hadrian served in important military leader, he had close ties to the throne. There is some debate whether Trajan actually named Hadrian his successor. With help from Empress Plotina, Hadrian became Emperor. During Hadrian's rule,he was successful in keeping peace in every providence.
The Bad: Hadrian could not keep peace in Judea. A Jewish revolt broke out, because of Hadrian. He had decided to build a new Greco-Roman city on top of Jerusalem. Hadrian put a temple to Jupiter on mound of the destroyed Temple of Solomon. The Jews rose up in revolt and captured the city. The rebellion lasted more than two years, and, after a lot of deaths, Hadrian finally restored peace.
The Ugly: 500,000 Jews died fighting the Romans during the rebellion. Hadrian had forced his brother-in-law to commit suicide and he had Servianius's son executed. He thought they were in a plot to seize the throne.
Nero
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Background information: Nero was born in 37 CE. He came to the throne at age sixteen when his stepfather, the emperor Claudius, died. Nero's mother, Julia Agrippina, had married Claudius in 49 BCE. She persuaded Claudis to adopt Nero and make him heir to the throne. When Claudius died in 54 CE, all of Rome hailed Nero as the new emperor, despite his youth. In the beginning,Nero seemed to be a fine and worthy ruler. He reduced taxes, banned capital punishment, and forbade contests involving bloodshed. However, his later behavior have given him the reputation as one of Rome’s cruelest emperors.
The Ugly: He killed all of his family members and advisers that he felt threatened by.
Augustus (Octavian)
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Background Information: Augustus was born Gauis Octavius in 63 BCE, later changed to Octavian. His great-uncle was Julius Caesar, and had the most influence on Octavian. When Octavian was 19 years old, Caesar gave him a very important military position. Before Octavian took the job, he learned Caesar had been murdered and that plunged Rome into a bloody civil war. After 13 years of fighting he emerged as the unquestioned winner. He was pronounced Emperor and was given the name Augustus.
The Good: Augustus worked to make Rome a safer place. He made sure that the city's water system was working and built aqueducts.
The Bad: Augustus had made laws to promote marriage. Those who were married paid lower taxes. Those who weren't married paid higher taxes and lost majority of their land. Germanic troops had invaded Roman territory, so the Roman army went to drive them away, then realized that they were outnumbered. Many soldiers died, fifteen thousand to be exact. It was the worst defeat in Roman History.