West European Studies

Hadrian (A.D. 117-138)
Hadrian is considered as one of the Five Good Emperors of the Roman Empire, and among these leaders, he can be regarded as the one with the most commendable rating.  What made him a very distinguished rule was that Hadrian focused on the welfare of the people.  Although his background was mostly military, and that his succession was mainly based on a distant relationship to his predecessor, Trajan, the maternal cousin of his father, Hadrians rule gave the empire a significant moment of prosperity and progress.  He was effective as a ruler because he was hands-on, and his ambitions were in  the consolidation of the empire and not its expansion.  Because of this, Hadrian managed to define the man-made boundaries of the empire.  Among his accomplishments were codification of the praetorian and aedilician edicts, an achievement in legal science as executed by Salvius Julianus, the rebuilding of Agrippas Pantheon and the completion of Trajans Forum, and other artistic and architectural pursuits.  (Benario)
    Born to a well-established family, Hadrian already gained the favor of his uncle, the emperor, and his wife, Plotina.  Trajan and Plotina did not have any children, and they served as Hadrians surrogate parents.  Hadrian did not fail them in demonstrating his ability to lead his military career included serving as military tribune for three different legions, and eventually, he was appointed consulate at the age of 32.  Trajan was confident in Hadrians skills, and prior to his death, he named him as his successor. (Benario)
2) Augustus Caesar
    Many may consider Augustus Caesar as the most important emperor because he managed to define the empire from the decay that it was experiencing.  He successfully did this through the implementation of a system of government called the Principate in which different areas of the empire had their respective appointed leaders.  This can be considered as his very important accomplishment.  However, as a leader, he was considered ambitious Augustus Caesar has been represented as a multifaceted individual, from tolerant to ruthless (Fagan).
    Augustus Caesar was born Gaius Octavius Thurinus.  His rise to imperial politics was due to his mother second marriage after his father died to the governor of Syria, Lucius Marcius Philippus.  This adoption would lead to young Octavius being raised by Julius Caesars sister, Julius Ceasaris.   Because Julius Caesar had no children, he would eventually adopt Octavius thus making him heir to the throne.  However, after Caesars death, the empire was in a shambles, leading to a power struggle with the like of Antony, Decimus Brutus and Lepidus as to who would lead the empire.  Eventually, Octavius would gain power as Augustus after the battle the battle in Actium. (Shotter)
3) Marcus Aurelius
    Marcus Aurelius was also among the Five Good Emperors.  His reign was the period in which the empire would experience its last phase of progress and prosperity.  Marcus Aurelius can be regarded as a reluctant leader as a Stoic, he wanted to live a simple, philosophical life, but he would eventually put his call to duty as his priority.  During his reign he maintained the empires standing albeit the internal challenges it faced from earthquakes to famines to an internal revolt at the end of his reign.  Although it was during his leadership that Pax Romana would eventually crumble, Marcus Aurelius was regarded as a fair and just leader, with his leadership philosophy mostly driven by Stoicism (Birley).
     Marcus Aurelius, born in Rome, descended from an aristocratic family from Spain.  At an early age he already illustrated an interest in philosophy, and this captured Hadrians attention who would supervise his education.  Hadrians successor, Antoninus Pius, would adopt Marcus Aurelius, thus naming him as his successor after his death. (Birley)
4) Caligula
    Caligulas notoriety can be attributed to his perversions and extravagance which would eventually lead to his own downfall.  He also mismanaged the empires treasury in which he continued his extravagance despite the financial crisis.  His relationship with the Roman Senate was also poor, thus, the leadership and legislation during his time would lead to an internal crisis.  On one hand, Caligula would also introduce public and political reform in Rome, and he restored democratic elections in the country. (Barrett)
    Caligula was born Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus to Germanicus, one of the most notable and loved generals of the Roman Empire.  He was adopted by Emperor Tiberius, thus, making him an heir to the throne.
5) Nero
    Nero was the most controversial emperor that rose during the Roman Empire.  He became emperor at the age of sixteen, through Claudius, his uncle Claudius succeeded Caligula However, after his and his familys murder.  As a young emperor, Nero was assigned with certain powers, but eventually, as he got older, he started to become abusive.  A significant amount of executions took place during his reign, including that of his mother and stepbrother.  He also persecuted Christians, and it was during his leadership that the First Roman-Jewish War began. However, albeit his tyranny and extravagance, he was also believed to be popular to the Eastern populations of the empire.  (Shotter)
    Born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, Nero was the only son of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus he was Caligulas nephew and great-great grandson of Ceasar Augustus through his mother, Agrippina the Younger.