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5 Good Emperors, 96-180 Commodus, 180-192

• Nerva 96-98
• Trajan 98-117
• Hadrian 117-138
• Antoninus Pius 138-161
• Marcus Aurelius 161-180
• Commodus 180-192
• Family stemma
• Map of Roman empire mid-2nd century CE

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Images of the Emperors, 96-192
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M. Cocceius Nerva, 96-98
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M. Cocceius Nerva, 96-98

• Chosen by Senate at age 66 (b. in Italy in 30)
• Consitutional rule
• Just and humane legislation
• Largess land allotments
• Chose Trajan as co-regent, successor
• Ruled only 16 months

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M. Ulpius Traianus, 98-117
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M. Ulpius Traianus, 98-117

• Born in Spain in 53
• Military man, not an autocrat
• Tolerant, courteous, economical, strict
• Humane and progressive
• Largess alimenta (interest on loans ? fund)
  free grain public works
• Restructured provincial government, advancing
  equites
• War vs. Dacians, Parthians annexed Dacia,
  Arabia, Armenia, Mesopotamia column (1, 2, 3)
  market)

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P. Aelius Hadrianus, 117-138
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P. Aelius Hadrianus, 117-138

• Born in Spain (or Rome) in 76
• Closest to Julius Caesar in versatility of talent
• Codified laws, enhanced equites role in
  government
• Intellectual, literary enthusiast, accomplished
  artist
• Toured the provinces
• Policy of defensive imperialism
• Tivoli villa (model remains) mausoleum Pantheon

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T. Aurelius Fulvius Boionius Arrius Antoninus,
138-61
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T. Aurelius Fulvius Boionius Arrius Antoninus,
138-61

• Born in Italy in 86
• Member of Senatorial class
• Adopted by Hadrian, acquired cognomen of
  Antoninus Pius
• Possessed integrity, loyalty, gentle nature
• Unsensational leader, imitative of Hadrian
• Beneficial, deferential to Senate
• Left a healthy, prosperous, harmonius empire
• Temple of A. Pius and Faustina column with
  apotheosis

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M. Annius Aurelius, 161-80
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M. Annius Aurelius, 161-80

• Born in Spain in 121
• Deep believer in Stoicism wrote Meditations
  (lit., to himself) providence of the gods,
  mortality, morality, tolerance, the common good
• Maintained century of goodwill since Nerva,
  including political and social ease
• Fought with Parthia conquered Danube
• Following Hadrians wishes, co-emperor with
  adoptive brother L. Verus 161-9, with son
  Commodus 177-80
• Lacked foresight left stable and safe, but
  stagnant and overcentralized empire
• Ruled during inflation, devastating plague

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L. Aelius Aurelius Commodus, 180-92
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L. Aelius Aurelius Commodus, 180-92

• Born in 161 the first born in the purple
  co-ruler with M. Aurelius 177-180
• Upon accession M. Aurelius Commodus Antoninus
• Another Nero corrupt men managed his
  administration
• Hostile to Senate, indifferent to rule
• Name Hercules Romanus obsessed with performing
  as gladiator Rome Colonia Commodiana
• Oversaw outbreaks of violence, mutiny, purges
• Strangled in bath Dec. 31, 192