Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus(AD 9 – 79) Titus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus was born in AD 9 at Reate, north of Rome. His father Flavius Sabinus was a tax-collector and held equestrian rank. His mother, Vespasia Polla, belonged to an equestrian family, and her brother managed to become senator. Vespasian and his brother Sabinus both also …
Aulus Vitellius(AD 15 – AD 69) Vitellius was born in AD 15. Vittelius’ father, Lucius Vitellius, three times held the office of consul as well as once being the emperor’s fellow censor.Vitellius himself became consul in AD 48 and later became proconsul of Africa in about AD 61-2. Vitellius was a man of some learning …
Marcus Salvius Otho(AD 32 – AD 69) Marcus Salvius Otho was born at Ferentium in southern Etruria on 28 April AD 32. His family did not belong to the old aristocracy, but had achieved political prominence under the emperors. His grandfather had been promoted from equestrian rank to senator by Augustus and even came to …
The history of Rome is replete with tales of glory and downfall, of emperors beloved and despised. Among the latter stands Servius Sulpicius Galba, whose brief reign as Emperor of Rome is remembered more for its unpopularity and tumultuous end than for any achievements or reforms. Emperor Galba’s Early Life Emperor Galba’s ascent through the …
Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus(AD 15 – AD 68) Nero was born at Antium (Anzio) on 15 December AD 37 and was first named Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. He was the son of Cnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, who was descended from a distinguished noble family of the Roman republic (a Domitius Ahenobarbus is known to have been consul …
Tiberius Claudius DrususNero Germanicus(10 BC – AD 54) Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus was born in Lugdunum (Lyon) in 10 BC, as the youngest son of Nero Drusus (Tiberius’ brother) and of Antonia the younger (who was the daughter of Marc Antony and Octavia). Suffering from ill-health and an alarming lack of social skills, for …