setstats

Ancient Rome — Characters

Kingdom of Rome   Early Republic   Punic Wars   Decline of the Republic   Early Empire   Height of Empire   Fall of the West   Byzantine Empire  

Kingdom

753 B.C. to 510 B.C.

Founding of Rome to Exile of Tarquins


Character Dates Short Biography
771-716 BC Legendary founder of the City of Rome, with brother Remus.
died 674 BC Second king of Rome, instituted calendar, holidays, worship practices.
died 642 BC Third king, conquered Alba; made Rome the greatest city of the Latins.
died 617 BC Fourth king, conquered Latins, built Sublican Bridge across the Tiber.
died 559 BC Fifth king, built great sewer, circus, temple of Jupiter, and forum.
died 535 BC Sixth king, built Servian Wall; helped plebians, murdered by daughter
died 510 BC Virtuous Maiden, killed herself after assault by son of Tarquin Superbus.
fl.    535 BC Killed Servius and usurped throne; eventually overthrown; tried to regain throne by force.


Early Republic

510 B.C. to 275 B.C.

Establishment of Republic to Conquest of Italy


Character Dates Short Biography
fl.    508 BC Etruscan king, and supporter of the Tarquins who raised an army to march against Rome.
died 509 BC First Consul of Rome; executed sons for plotting against the republic.
died 508 BC Consul of Rome during the wars with Porsena.
535-509 BC Hero who held the Sublican Bridge against Porsena's entire army.
535-509 BC Hero who burned his right hand to defy Porsena.
fl.    503 BC Roman noble who negotiated with the plebeians after their walk-out during a war.
500-450 BC Hero, provoked to turn traitor. Convinced by his mother to spare Rome from destruction.
519-439 BC Called to be dictator when Roman army was trapped. Saved them, and then returned to his farm.
died 452 BC Evil law giver who usurped power, then attempted to enslave Virginia.
died 451 BC Heroine slain by her father to rescue her from slavery and dishonor.
446-365 BC Great military leader; conquered Veii, saved Rome from Gauls, organized legions.
died 384 BC Defended the capitol from the Gauls.
died 390 BC Leader of the Gauls who sacked Rome in 390 B.C.
died 362 BC Rode horse into a large chasm in Roman market-place.
370-270 BC Defeated a gigantic Gaul in one-on-one combat; lived to be 100.
died 340 BC Sacrificed self in war agains the Latins.
died 384 BC Consul who slew his son for a minor disobedience.
died 291 BC Hero of the Battle of Sentinum, against the Gauls and Samnites.
fl.    321 BC Samnite general who captured the Romans at Caudium Pass.
340-273 BC Built first auqeduct, public buildings, and "Appian Way", the great Roman road to Capua.
318-272 BC Renowned General, won victories in Macedon, Italy, and Greece, but failed to follow up wins.


Punic Wars

274 B.C. to 146 B.C.

First Punic War to Destruction of Carthage


Character Dates Short Biography
300-250 BC Captured by Carthage in First Punic War; urged Rome to fight on at cost of own life.
fl.    255 BC Spartan mercenary general in First Punic War; captured Regulus, led Carthage to victories.
died 229 BC Carthage's most able General in First Punic War; father of Hannibal.
247-182 BC Carthaginian general, invaded and laid waste to Italy for sixteen years.
250-203 BC Elected dictator to resist Hannibal; counseled delay, not direct assault.
died 211 BC Tried to intercept Hannibal in Gaul, but was defeated at Ticino River and Trebbia.
died 216 BC Consul at the Battle of Cannae; opposed the confrontation, but died on battlefield.
fl.    216 BC Led Rome to disastrous defeat at Cannae. Survived and tried to rally the troops.
268-208 BC Besieged Syracuse during the Second Punic War, but the ingenius war weapons of Archimedes frustrated the Romans.
died 207 BC Fought against Scipios in Spain; killed after he crossed the Alps to aid Hannibal.
238-148 BC King of Numidia, allied with Rome against Carthage; fought at Zama.
234-149 BC Roman hero of Second Punic War. Led Armies in Spain and Africa. Defeated Hannibal at Zama.
234-149 BC Roman Censor, urged destruction of Carthage before Third Punic War.
185-129 BC Led the siege of Carthage during the third Punic War.
230-175 BC Led Rome against Philip V. in Second Macedonian War.
203-120 BC Taken as Greek hostage during Macedonian wars; historian of Punic Wars.
229-160 BC Led Rome against Macedonia at the Battle of Pydna. Received a Great triumph.


Decline of Republic

146 B.C. to 44 B.C.

Age of Gracchi to Death of Julius Caesar


Character Dates Short Biography
185-100 BC Mother of the Gracchi. Highly revered Roman Matron.
163-132 BC Promoted Land Reform and fought for people's rights. Murdered by Senators.
154-121 BC Continued reforms of his brother, but was undermined by the senate.
156-104 BC Numedian king, flagrantly bribed senate to maintain power. Enemy of Rome.
died 91 BC Commanded troops in Numidia against Jugurtha. Enemy of Marius.
155-86 BC Renowned General. Modernized legions. Waged a bloody feud with party of Sulla.
died 84 BC With Marius, raised an army, and took possession of Rome for populist Party.
122-72 BC Led rebellion against Rome in Spain; held out for 8 years.
138-78 BC Defeated Mithradates in Greece. Marched on Rome, defeated the party of his enemy Marius.
160-104 BC King of Pontus, enemy of Rome, raised rebellions in Greece and Asia Minor.
120-70 BC Led Rome against Mithradates in Third War. Known for extravagant lifestyle.
111-71 BC Gladiator who led a slave revolt. Held out for two years.
110-53 BC Very wealthy general. Fought Spartacus. Formed triumvirate with Pompey and Caesar.
106-48 BC Very renowned general. Defeated pirates. Led Opposition to Caesar in Civil War.
106-43 BC Orator. Leader of Aristocratic party. Put down Catiline Conspiracy. Well known writer.
120-43 BC Extremely corrupt governor of Sicily; was prosecuted by Cicero.
93-52 BC Violent enemy of Cicero. Populist rabble-rouser and demagogue.
108-62 BC Led conspiracy to overthrow Senate; discovered and put down by Cicero.
109-32 BC Wealthy Private citizen. Recipient of hundreds of letters from Cicero.
95-46 BC Highly principled republican who opposed Caesar, killed self after defeat of Pompey.
100-44 BC Conquered Gaul, prevailed in Civil war. Mastermind of Roman Empire. Killed by senators.


Early Empire

44 B.C. to 69 A.D.

Second Triumvirate to Year of Three Emperors


Character Dates Short Biography
-63-14 First Emperor. Reigned for over fifty years. Established the Imperial system.
died 42 BC Mastermind of conspiracy to assassinate Caesar. Committed suicide at Philippi.
-84-42 Leader of conspirators to assassinate Caesar. Committed suicide at Philippi.
70-20 BC Queen of Egypt. Lover of both Caesar and Mark Antony.
83-30 BC With Octavius, led the Empire after Caesar's death. Liaison with Cleopatra caused downfall.
70-8 BC Advisor and ambassador of Augustus. Patron of the Arts and Literature.
70-19 BC Great Epic Poet of the Augustan Age. Wrote The Aeneid.
65-8 BC Great Lyric Poet and satirist of the Augustan Age.
63-12 BC Most trusted general and advisor of Augustus Caesar. Married his daughter Julia.
-58-29 Wife of Augustus Caesar. Empress of Rome for over fifty years.
-59-17 Roman Historian. Wrote History of Rome from its Founding.
-39-14 Profligate daughter of Augustus Caesar. Fell from grace, and was banished from Rome.
-16-21 Hero of Germany. Annihilated three Roman legions at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest.
died 31 Leader of Praetorians. Conspired to seize the throne from Tiberius.
-15-19 Roman military hero, and heir to the throne. Probably murdered.
-14-33 Granddaughter of Augustus Caesar; Accused Tiberius of killing her husband Germanicus.
-42-37 Second Emperor. Stepson of Augustus. Retired to Capri.
12-41 Third Emporer. Sadistic and probably insane.
-10-54 Fourth Emperor. Manipulated by wicked wives, Messalina and Agrippina.
17-48 Wicked, profligate, and promiscuous wife of Claudius.
16-59 Mother of Nero. Murdered Claudius to make way for his rise to the throne.
37-68 Fifth Emperor. Murdered mother, wife, and brother. Fiddled while Rome burned.
-3-65 Tutor and minister to Nero. Forced to commit suicide after falling from Grace.
died 65 Wicked mistress of Nero. Urged him to kill his mother and first wife.
died 61 Queen of the Iceni. Led the largest revolt of Celtic Britons against the Romans.
-3-69 Declared Emperor after Nero was deposed. Served less than a year.
32-69 Emperor for 3 months in 69 A.D. Committed suicide rather than continue civil war.
died 69 Emperor for 9 months in 69 A.D. Known as an incompetent glutton.
38-9 BC Son of Livia, Father of Germanicus. Died on campaign in Germany.


Height of Empire

70 A.D. to 180 A.D.

Flavian Emperors to Death of Marcus Aurelius


Character Dates Short Biography
9-79 First Emperor of humble origins. Founder of Flavian Dynasty.
23-79 Scholar, author of encyclopedias, naturalist. Wrote Natural Histories. Died at the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
37-100 Jewish Historian. Captured by Romans at Jotapata. Wrote the Jewish War.
40-81 Second Flavian Emperor. Conquered Jerusalem. Reigned with father Vespasian.
40-93 Roman General and Statesman. Governor of Britain. Pacified Wales.
40-102 Poet and satirist. Wrote twelve books of Epigrams.
51-96 Third Flavian Emperor. Known for purges and persecutions near end of reign.
46-122 Most outstanding moralist and biographer of ancient times. Wrote Lives of Greeks and Romans.
30-98 First of the "Five Good Emperors". Ruled briefly between Domitian and Trajan.
53-117 2nd of "Five Good Emperors." Ruled with justice and integrity. Conquered Dacia.
63-113 Roman statesman and and orator. His letters are important historical sources.
76-138 3rd of "Five Good Emperors". Talented artist and architect, good administrator.
86-161 4th of "Five Good Emperors". Continued policy of consolidation. Ruled justly.
121-180 5th of "Five Good Emperors". Stoic philosopher. Improved condition of poor.
died 127 Satirical Poet; ridiculed the vices of Imperial Roman Society.
55-120 Historian. Related to Agricola. Wrote Germania, Histories and Annals.


Decline and Fall of Western Empire

180 A.D. to 476 A.D.

Reign of Commodus to Fall of Western Empire


Character Dates Short Biography
161-192 Corrupt son of Aurelius, misruled for twelve years, and was murdered.
146-211 Seized Imperial throne after the death of Commodus. Put down many rebellions.
188-217 Brutal and iron-fisted emperor. Murdered brother Geta. Built "Baths of Caracalla."
205-222 Third Severan Emperor; assumed throne at 14; effeminate and profligate; deposed by army.
208-235 Fourth Severan Emperor; ruled well under the regency of his mother; overthrown by Maximinus.
died 238 Thracian Giant. Rose to head of army, seized imperial throne, and reigned as a barbarian.
fl.    267 Queen of Palmyra. Attempted to control the eastern empire, only to be crushed by Rome.
245-313 Restored order to the empire after fifty years of chaos. Broke empire into four regions.
272-337 First Christain Emperor. Unified Empire. Moved Capital to Constantinople near Black Sea.
298-373 Bishop of Alexandria. Opposed the Arian Heresy.
331-363 Last emperor of the Constantinian dynasty. Tried to restore paganism.
346-395 Emperor excommunicated by Ambrose for massacre of civilians at Thessalonia.
340-397 Bishop of Milan. Resisted Arian heresy, advised emperors, advocated for Church interests.
359-408 Roman General who fought off the Visigoths before they over-ran Rome. Murdered by Emperor Honorius.
370-410 Chieftain who led the Visogoths into northern Italy, and then besieged and sacked Rome.
406-453 Barbarian Chieftain who over-ran and terrorized much of Europe. Defeated at the Battle of Chalons.
390-477 Leader of Vandals. Conquered Northern Africa and Sicily. Invaded and Ransacked Rome.
354-430 Greatest Christian theologian of the Middle Ages. Wrote Confessions and City of God.
340-420 Translated the Bible into the Latin Vulgate.


Eastern Roman and Byzantine Empires

476 A.D. to 1453 A.D.

Fall of the Western Empire to the Fall of Constantinople


Character Dates Short Biography
401-474 Byzantine Emperor during the fall of the Western Empire. Led expedition against Vandals.
425-491 Isaurian (Armenian) Emperor who ruled Byzantium after the fall of the Western Empire.
435-493 Deposed last Roman Emperor and became King of Italy. Later overthrown by Theodoric the Ostrogoth.
454-526 Ostrogoth King who invaded Italy, and successfully formed a Gothic-Roman Kingdom.
480-547 Established the Benedictine order of Monks. Founded the monastic movement in Europe.
500-548 Born in humble circumstances, she married the Emperor and became his trusted advisor.
505-565 General associated with Julian the Great, reconquered much of lost Roman territory.
483-565 Ruled Byzantine Empire for 40 years. Well known for legal reforms known as Code of Justinian.
died 573 King of the Lombards who crossed the Alps and invaded Northern Italy. Made Pavia capital of Lombards.
521-597 Hermit who lived for many years on the top of a pillar, practicing penance.
539-602 Byzantine Emperor who made an alliance with Persia. Eventually deposed and murdered.
575-641 Eastern Emperor during a critical period. Fought Goths in the West, Persian and Moslems in the East.
752-803 Empress of the Byzantines during the era of Charlemagne and Harun Al-Rashid, who tried to restore the use of images and ikons in the eastern church.
685-741 Byzantine Emperor who stabilized the Byzantine Empire after the Moslem Conquests and destroyed statues and idols in the Christian Churches.
827-869 Missionary to the Slavs. Created the Cyrillic Alphabet for written Slavic Languages.
826-885 Missionary to the Slavs. Translated the Bible into the Slavic language using the Cyrillic Alphabet.
1388-1456 Defended the Hungarians against the Ottoman Turks. Defended Belgrade from Muhammed II.
died 1468 Albanian patriot who rebelled against the Ottomans and tried to free his people from Turkish domination.
1432-1481 Sultan of the early Ottoman Empire who conquered Constantinople, and much of the Balkans.
1404-1453 Emperor during the siege and fall of Constantinople. Died defending the city from the Turks.


top
Top
Copyright © 2007-2009 Heritage-History. All rights reserved.
 Home
Home