Famous Roman Emperors - A Timeline of Ancient Rome for Primary Schools

Here you'll find our handy timeline of the Roman Emperors that, if you're at Primary School, you simply must know about! You'll find loads of links in the text that will bring you to other blogs and videos with loads more information for your eyeballs to absorb.

Augustus using the tried and tested distraction technique of pointing and yelling "look over there!" , Image credit: Szilas

27 BC - Augustus

Why you need to know about him: Augustus was the first Roman Emperor.

Born Gaius Octavius in 63 BC, Octavius was the grandnephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. After a lot of civil wars and bloodshed, Octavius became the first Roman Emperor - Augustus - in 27 BC and ruled for just over 40 years. Unlike many of the Emperors to follow, he died of natural causes.

Although Claudius thought he was being subtle, his horse still knew he was trumping in the saddle.

41 AD - Claudius

Why you need to know about him: Claudius led the successful invasion of Roman Britain.

Claudius, none too popular as Emperor, decided to invade Britain to prove to everyone in Rome that he had what it took to be the big boss. His successful invasion of Roman Britain earned him the support of the Roman Elite (Senators, generals, etc). He ruled for 13 years but was likely killed by his wife, Agrippina. The method of murder? Poison! This allowed Agrippina's son, Nero, to become Emperor.

Nero couldn't believe his luck. He'd glued his own hands to his own face. AGAIN. Painting by John William Waterhouse

54 AD - Nero

Why you need to know about him: Nero was the Emperor of Rome when Boudica led her rebellion in Britain.

Nero is considered one of the bad Emperors of Rome. Got cold feet about Britain, when Boudica and the Celt Tribes were rampaging through Roman cities. Fortunately for Rome, the rebellion was crushed and Roman rule continued in Britain for centuries to come. Nero may or may not have played a fiddle while a mighty fire raged in Rome, burning much of the city to the ground.

Hadrian looking pretty upset about the fact that his whole body seems to have fallen off! Image credit: Carole Raddato

138 AD - Hadrian

Why you need to know about him: Built Hadrian's wall. Well, he didn't actually build it, he had people for that.

Emperor Hadrian is considered one of the good Roman Emperors. He ruled Rome for an impressively lengthy 20 years. The Roman Empire stopped getting bigger under Hadrian's rule, no more invading, instead he had walls built to mark the edge of the Empire (and protect it too). The most famous wall is, of course, the one he named after himself, Hadrian's Wall.

If we've learned anything from this blog it's that Marcus Aurelius had frankly GORGEOUS hair! Look at that mane of luscious locks! And that beard! You could snuggle up and sleep in it. Image credit: Marie-Lan Nguyen

161 AD - Marcus Aurelius

Why you need to know about him: the last of the 5 Good Roman Emperors.

Marcus Aurelius was known as the philosopher King. He wrote a diary about his thoughts and feelings (called 'Meditations') because of this, Marcus is the Emperor that historians know the most about. We know what he was thinking about, what he liked, didn't like, what scared him, and what he dreamed of - despite that fact that Marcus was alive nearly two-thousand years ago!

Constantine loved to play a nonchalant game of Pull My Finger Image credit: Son of Groucho

306 AD - Constantine I

Why you need to know about him: converted to Christianity.

Before Emperor Constantine, the Romans weren't too keen on Christians; preferring to feed them to the lions than follow their teachings. Things changed with Constantine, who put his success in battle - during some particularly nasty civil wars - as down to Christ's will. This is because he had some pretty funky visions about Jesus whilst marching to war. Over time, Constantine played a big part in converting the Roman Empire to Christianity.

Magnus loved to show off his new headband. It was the envy of all his friends.

383 AD - Magnus Maximus

Why you need to know about him: is considered the Emperor of Roman Britain.

Magnus Maximus has the BEST name. He definitely took being Magnus to the Maximus. He was a general in Britain who was proclaimed Emperor of Rome by his army. He led his Legions to Rome so he could become the actual Emperor. He had a good go of it, but was ultimately defeated and killed by Theodosius I at the Battle of Save in 388 AD. Because Maximus pulled so many troops from the Roman Army out of Britain, this led directly to Rome kicking Britain out of its Empire and abandoning it.

Whoopsie! Romulus stabbed himself in the neck with his own spear. You're gonna need a big plaster for that one Rom!

475 AD - Romulus

Why you need to know about him: Is considered the last of the Western Roman Emperors.

At this point in history, it has all gone horribly wrong for the Roman Empire. There are barbarians at the gates and Rome itself has been successfully invaded several times. Roman power has been broken. Romulus was Emperor for only ten months but was turfed out by the Germanic General Odocer. The Western Roman Empire was done for, but its culture and beliefs would live on for many hundreds of years to come in the Eastern Byzantine Empire.