List of Roman emperors explained

The Roman emperors were the rulers of the Roman Empire from the granting of the name and title Augustus to Octavian by the Roman Senate in 27 BC onward. Augustus maintained a facade of Republican rule, rejecting monarchical titles but calling himself princeps senatus (first man of the Senate) and princeps civitatis (first citizen of the state). The title of Augustus was conferred on his successors to the imperial position, and emperors gradually grew more monarchical and authoritarian.

The style of government instituted by Augustus is called the Principate and continued until the late third or early fourth century. The modern word "emperor" derives from the title imperator, that was granted by an army to a successful general; during the initial phase of the empire, the title was generally used only by the princeps. For example, Augustus's official name was Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus. The territory under command of the emperor had developed under the period of the Roman Republic as it invaded and occupied much of Europe and portions of North Africa and the Middle East. Under the republic, the Senate and People of Rome authorized provincial governors, who answered only to them, to rule regions of the empire. The chief magistrates of the republic were two consuls elected each year; consuls continued to be elected in the imperial period, but their authority was subservient to that of the emperor, who also controlled and determined their election. Often, the emperors themselves, or close family, were selected as consul.

After the Crisis of the Third Century, Diocletian increased the authority of the emperor and adopted the title "dominus noster" (our lord). The rise of powerful barbarian tribes along the borders of the empire, the challenge they posed to the defense of far-flung borders as well as an unstable imperial succession led Diocletian to divide the administration of the Empire geographically with a co-augustus in 286. In 330, Constantine the Great, the emperor who accepted Christianity, established a second capital in Byzantium, which he renamed Constantinople. Historians consider the Dominate period of the empire to have begun with either Diocletian or Constantine, depending on the author. For most of the period from 286 to 480, there was more than one recognized senior emperor, with the division usually based on geographic regions. This division became permanent after the death of Theodosius I in 395, which historians have traditionally dated as the division between the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. However, formally the Empire remained a single polity, with separate co-emperors in the separate courts.

The fall of the Western Roman Empire is dated either from the de facto date of 476, when Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the Germanic Herulians led by Odoacer, or the de jure date of 480, on the death of Julius Nepos, when Eastern emperor Zeno ended recognition of a separate Western court.^[1] Historians typically refer to the empire in the centuries that followed as the "Byzantine Empire", oriented toward Hellenic culture and governed by the Byzantine emperors. Given that "Byzantine" is a later historiographical designation and the inhabitants and emperors of the empire continually maintained Roman identity, this designation is not used universally and continues to be a subject of specialist debate. Under Justinian I, in the sixth century, a large portion of the western empire was retaken, including Italy, Africa, and part of Spain. Over the course of the centuries thereafter, most of the imperial territories were lost, which eventually restricted the empire to Anatolia and the Balkans. The line of emperors continued until the death of Constantine XI Palaiologos at the fall of Constantinople in 1453, when the remaining territories were conquered by the Ottoman Turks led by Sultan Mehmed II. In the aftermath of the conquest, Mehmed II proclaimed himself kayser-i Rûm ("Caesar of the Romans"), thus claiming to be the new emperor, a claim maintained by succeeding sultans. Competing claims of succession to the Roman Empire have also been forwarded by various other states and empires, and by numerous later pretenders.

Legitimacy

See also: Roman emperor and Roman usurper. While the imperial government of the Roman Empire was rarely called into question during its five centuries in the west and fifteen centuries in the east, individual emperors often faced unending challenges in the form of usurpation and perpetual civil wars. From the rise of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, in 27 BC to the sack of Rome in AD 455, there were over a hundred usurpations or attempted usurpations (an average of one usurpation or attempt about every four years). From the murder of Commodus in 192 until the fifth century, there was scarcely a single decade without succession conflicts and civil war. Very few emperors died of natural causes, with regicide in practical terms having become the expected end of a Roman emperor by late antiquity. The distinction between a usurper and a legitimate emperor is a blurry one, given that a large number of emperors commonly considered legitimate began their rule as usurpers, revolting against the previous legitimate emperor.

True legitimizing structures and theories were weak, or wholly absent, in the Roman Empire, and there were no true objective legal criteria for being acclaimed emperor beyond acceptance by the Roman army. Dynastic succession was not legally formalized, but also not uncommon, with powerful rulers sometimes succeeding in passing power on to their children or other relatives. While dynastic ties could bring someone to the throne, they were not a guarantee that their rule would not be challenged. With the exception of Titus (79–81; son of Vespasian), no son of an emperor who ruled after the death of his father died a natural death until Constantine I in 337. Control of Rome itself and approval of the Roman Senate held some importance as legitimising factors, but were mostly symbolic. Emperors who began their careers as usurpers had often been deemed public enemies by the senate before they managed to take the city. Emperors did not need to be acclaimed or crowned in Rome itself, as demonstrated in the Year of the Four Emperors (69), when claimants were crowned by armies in the Roman provinces, and the senate's role in legitimising emperors had almost faded into insignificance by the Crisis of the Third Century (235–285). By the end of the third century, Rome's importance was mainly ideological, with several emperors and usurpers even beginning to place their court in other cities in the empire, closer to the imperial frontier.

Common methods used by emperors to assert claims of legitimacy, such as proclamation by the army, blood connections (sometimes fictitious) to past emperors, wearing imperial regalia, distributing one's own coins or statues and claims to pre-eminent virtue through propaganda, were pursued just as well by many usurpers as they were by legitimate emperors. There were no constitutional or legal distinctions that differentiated legitimate emperors and usurpers. In ancient Roman texts, the differences between emperors and "tyrants" (the term typically used for usurpers) is often a moral one (with the tyrants ascribed wicked behaviour) rather than a legal one. Typically, the actual distinction was whether the claimant had been victorious or not. In the Historia Augusta, an ancient Roman collection of imperial biographies, the usurper Pescennius Niger (193–194) is expressly noted to only be a tyrant because he was defeated by Septimius Severus (193–211). This is also followed in modern historiography, where, in the absence of constitutional criteria separating them, the main factor that distinguishes usurpers from legitimate Roman emperors is their degree of success. What makes a figure who began as a usurper into a legitimate emperor is typically either that they managed to gain the recognition from a more senior, legitimate emperor, or that they managed to defeat a more senior, legitimate emperor and seize power from them by force.

List inclusion criteria

Given that a concept of constitutional legitimacy was irrelevant in the Roman Empire, and emperors were only 'legitimate' in so far as they were able to be accepted in the wider empire, this list of emperors operates on a collection of inclusion criteria:

Imperial claimants whose power across the empire became, or from the beginning was, absolute and who ruled undisputed are treated as legitimate emperors. From 286 onward, when imperial power was usually divided among two colleagues in the east and west, control over the respective half is sufficient even if a claimant was not recognized in the other half, such as was the case for several of the last few emperors in the west.
Imperial claimants who were proclaimed emperors by another, legitimate, senior emperor, or who were recognized by a legitimate senior emperor, are treated as legitimate emperors.^[2] Many emperors ruled alongside one or various joint-emperors. However, and specially from the 4th century onwards, most of these were children who never ruled in their own right. Scholars of the later Empire always omit these rulers,^[3] but the same is not always applied during the early Empire. For the purposes of consistency, later senior emperors' tenures as co-emperors are not counted as part of their reign. The list also gives all co-emperors their own entry only up to the 4th century.
Imperial claimants who achieved the recognition of the Roman Senate, especially in times of uncertainty and civil war, are, due to the senate's nominal role as an elective body, treated as legitimate emperors. In later times, especially when emperors ruled from other cities, this criterion defaults to the possession and control of Rome itself. In the later eastern empire, possession of the capital of Constantinople was an essential element of imperial legitimacy.

In the case of non-dynastic emperors after or in the middle of the rule of a dynasty, it is customary among historians to group them together with the rulers of said dynasty, an approach that is followed in this list. Dynastic breaks with non-dynastic rulers are indicated with thickened horizontal lines.

Principate (27 BC – AD 284)

See main article: Principate.

Julio-Claudian dynasty (27 BC – AD 68)

See main article: Julio-Claudian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Augustus	16 January 27 BC – 19 August AD 14	Grandnephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. Gradually acquired further power through grants from, and constitutional settlements with, the Roman Senate.	23 September 63 BC – 19 August 14 Born as Gaius Octavius; first elected Roman consul on 19 August 43 BC. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Tiberius	17 September 14 – 16 March 37	Stepson, former son-in-law and adopted son of Augustus	16 November 42 BC – 16 March 37 Died probably of natural causes, allegedly murdered at the instigation of Caligula
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Caligula	18 March 37 – 24 January 41	Grandnephew and adopted heir of Tiberius, great-grandson of Augustus	31 August 12 – 24 January 41 Murdered in a conspiracy involving the Praetorian Guard and senators
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Claudius	24 January 41 – 13 October 54	Uncle of Caligula, grandnephew of Augustus, proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard and accepted by the Senate	1 August 10 BC – 13 October 54 Began the Roman conquest of Britain. Probably poisoned by his wife Agrippina, in favor of her son Nero
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Nero	13 October 54 – 9 June 68	Grandnephew, stepson, son-in-law and adopted son of Claudius, great-great-grandson of Augustus	15 December 37 – 9 June 68 Committed suicide after being deserted by the Praetorian Guard and sentenced to death by the Senate

Year of the Four Emperors (68–69)

See main article: Year of the Four Emperors.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Galba	8 June 68 – 15 January 69	Governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, revolted against Nero and seized power after his suicide, with support of the Senate and Praetorian Guard	24 December 3 BC – 15 January 69 Murdered by soldiers of the Praetorian Guard in a coup led by Otho
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Otho	15 January – 16 April 69	Seized power through a coup against Galba	28 April 32 – 16 April 69 Committed suicide after losing the Battle of Bedriacum to Vitellius
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Vitellius	19 April – 20 December 69	Governor of Germania Inferior, proclaimed emperor by the Rhine legions on 2 January in opposition to Galba and Otho, later recognized by the Senate	24 September 15 – 20/22 December 69 Murdered by Vespasian's troops

Flavian dynasty (69–96)

See main article: Flavian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Vespasian	1 July 69 – 23 June 79	Proclaimed by the eastern legions in opposition to Vitellius, later recognized by the Senate	17 November 9 – 23 June 79 Began construction of the Colosseum. Died of dysentery
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Titus	24 June 79 – 13 September 81	Son of Vespasian	30 December 39 – 13 September 81 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Domitian	14 September 81 – 18 September 96	Brother of Titus and son of Vespasian	24 October 51 – 18 September 96 Assassinated in a conspiracy of court officials, possibly involving Nerva

Nerva–Antonine dynasty (96–192)

See main article: Nerva–Antonine dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Nerva	18 September 96 – 27 January 98	Proclaimed emperor by the Senate after the murder of Domitian	8 November 30 – 27/28 January 98 First of the "Five Good Emperors". Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Trajan	28 January 98 – 9 August (?) 117	Adopted son of Nerva	18 September 53 – 9 August (?) 117 First non-Italian emperor. His reign marked the geographical peak of the empire. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Hadrian	11 August 117 – 10 July 138	Cousin of Trajan, allegedly adopted on his deathbed	24 January 76 – 10 July 138 Ended Roman expansionism. Destroyed Judea after a massive revolt. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Antoninus Pius	10 July 138 – 7 March 161	Adopted son of Hadrian	19 September 86 – 7 March 161 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Marcus Aurelius	7 March 161 – 17 March 180	Son-in-law and adopted son of Antoninus Pius. Until 169 reigned jointly with his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, the first time multiple emperors shared power. Since 177 reigned jointly with his son Commodus	26 April 121 – 17 March 180 Last of the "Five Good Emperors"; also one of the most representative Stoic philosophers. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Lucius Verus	7 March 161 – January/February 169	Adopted son of Antoninus Pius, named joint emperor by his adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius	15 December 130 – early 169 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Commodus	17 March 180 – 31 December 192	Son of Marcus Aurelius. Proclaimed co-emperor in 177, at age 16, becoming the first emperor to be elevated during predecessor's lifetime	31 August 161 – 31 December 192 Strangled to death in a conspiracy involving his praetorian prefect, Laetus, and mistress, Marcia

Year of the Five Emperors (193)

See main article: Year of the Five Emperors.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Pertinax	1 January – 28 March 193	City prefect of Rome at Commodus's death, set up as emperor by the praetorian prefect, Laetus, with consent of the Senate	1 August 126 – 28 March 193 Murdered by mutinous soldiers of the Praetorian Guard
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Didius Julianus	28 March – 1 June 193	Won auction held by the Praetorian Guard for the position of emperor	30 January 133 – 1/2 June 193 Killed on order of the Senate, at the behest of Septimius Severus

Severan dynasty (193–235)

See main article: Severan dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Septimius Severus	9 April 193 – 4 February 211	Governor of Upper Pannonia, acclaimed emperor by the Pannonian legions following the murder of Pertinax	11 April 145 – 4 February 211 First non-European emperor. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Caracalla	4 February 211 – 8 April 217	Son of Septimius Severus, proclaimed co-emperor on 28 January 198, at age 10. Succeeded jointly with his brother, Geta, in 211	4 April 188 – 8 April 217 First child emperor. Granted Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire. Murdered by a soldier at the instigation of Macrinus
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Geta	4 February 211 – 26 December 211	Son of Septimius Severus, proclaimed co-emperor in October 209, succeeded jointly with his older brother, Caracalla	7 March 189 – 26 December 211 Murdered on order of his brother, Caracalla
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Macrinus	11 April 217 – 8 June 218	Praetorian prefect of Caracalla, accepted as emperor by the army and Senate after having arranged his predecessor's death in fear of his own life	c. 165 – June 218 First non-senator to become emperor, and first emperor not to visit Rome after acceding. Executed during a revolt of the troops in favor of Elagabalus.
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF"	Diadumenian (§)	Late May – June 218	Son of Macrinus, named co-emperor by his father after the eruption of a rebellion in favor of Elagabalus	14 September 208 – June 218 Caught in flight and executed in favor of Elagabalus

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Elagabalus	16 May 218 – 13 March 222	Cousin and alleged illegitimate son of Caracalla, acclaimed as emperor by rebellious legions in opposition to Macrinus at the instigation of his grandmother, Julia Maesa	203/204 – 13 March 222 Murdered by the Praetorian Guard alongside his mother, probably at the instigation of Julia Maesa
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Severus Alexander	14 March 222 – March 235	Cousin and adopted heir of Elagabalus	1 October 208 – early March 235 Lynched by mutinous troops, alongside his mother

Crisis of the Third Century (235–285)

See main article: Crisis of the Third Century, Year of the Six Emperors and Gordian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Maximinus I "Thrax"	March 235 – c. June 238	Proclaimed emperor by Germanic legions after the murder of Severus Alexander, recognized at Rome on 23 March 235	c. 172–180 – c. June 238 First commoner to become emperor. Murdered by his men during the siege of Aquileia
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Gordian I	c. April – May 238	Proclaimed emperor alongside his son, Gordian II, while serving as governor of Africa, in a revolt against Maximinus, and recognized by the Senate	c. 158 (?) – c. May 238 Oldest emperor at the time of his elevation. Committed suicide upon hearing of the death of his son
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Gordian II	c. April – c. May 238	Proclaimed emperor alongside his father Gordian I, during revolt in Africa against Maximinus	c. 192 – c. May 238 The shortest-reigning emperor. Killed outside Carthage in battle against an army loyal to Maximinus I
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Pupienus	c. May – c. August 238	Proclaimed emperor jointly with Balbinus by the Senate after death of Gordian I and II, in opposition to Maximinus	c. 164 – c. August 238 Tortured and murdered by the Praetorian Guard
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Balbinus	c. May – c. August 238	Proclaimed emperor jointly with Pupienus by the Senate after death of Gordian I and II, in opposition to Maximinus	c. 178 – c. August 238 Tortured and murdered by the Praetorian Guard
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Gordian III	c. August 238 – c. February 244	Grandson of Gordian I, appointed as heir by Pupienus and Balbinus, upon whose deaths he succeeded as emperor	20 January 225 – c. February 244 Died during campaign against Persia, possibly in a murder plot instigated by Philip I
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Philip I "the Arab"	c. February 244 – September/October 249	Praetorian prefect under Gordian III, seized power after his death	c. 204 – September/October 249 Killed at the Battle of Verona, against Decius
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF"	Philip II "the Younger" (§)	July/August 247 – September/October 249	Son of Philip I, appointed co-emperor	c. 237 – September/October 249 Murdered by the Praetorian Guard
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Decius	September/October 249 – June 251	Proclaimed emperor by the troops in Moesia, then defeated and killed Philip I in battle	c. 190/200 – June 251 Killed at the Battle of Abrittus, against the Goths
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF"	Herennius Etruscus (§)	May/June – June 251	Son of Decius, appointed co-emperor	Unknown – June 251 Killed at the Battle of Abrittus alongside his father
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Trebonianus Gallus	June 251 – August 253	Senator and general, proclaimed emperor after the deaths of Decius and Herennius Etruscus	c. 206 – c. August 253 Murdered by his own troops in favor of Aemilian
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF"	Hostilian (§)	c. June – c. July 251	Younger son of Decius, named caesar by his father and proclaimed co-emperor by Trebonianus Gallus	Unknown – c. July 251 Died of plague or murdered by Trebonianus Gallus
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF"	Volusianus (§)	c. August 251 – c. August 253	Son of Gallus, appointed co-emperor	c. 230 – c. August 253 Murdered by the soldiers, alongside his father
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Aemilianus	c. July – c. September 253	Commander in Moesia, proclaimed emperor by his soldiers after defeating barbarians, in opposition to Gallus	c. 207 – c. September 253 Murdered by his own troops in favor of Valerian
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Silbannacus	c. September/October 253 (?)	Obscure figure known only from coinage, may have briefly ruled in Rome between Aemilianus and Valerian	Nothing known
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Valerian	c. September 253 – c. June 260	Army commander in Raetia and Noricum, proclaimed emperor by the legions in opposition to Aemilian	c. 200 – after 262 (?) Captured at Edessa by the Persian king Shapur I, died in captivity possibly forced to swallow molten gold
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Gallienus	c. September 253 – c. September 268	Son of Valerian, appointed joint emperor. Sole emperor after Valerian's capture in 260	218 – c. September 268 Faced multiple revolts & barbarian invasions. Murdered in a conspiracy of army officers, involving Claudius II and Aurelian
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF"	Saloninus (§)	Autumn 260	Son of Gallienus, proclaimed caesar by his father and proclaimed emperor by the praetorian prefect Silvanus while besieged by Postumus	Unknown – Late 260 Murdered by troops loyal to Postumus
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Claudius II "Gothicus"	c. September 268 – c. August 270	Army commander in Illyria, proclaimed emperor after Gallienus's death	10 May 214 – August/September (?) 270 Died of plague
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Quintillus	c. August – c. September 270	Brother of Claudius II, proclaimed emperor after his death	Unknown – 270 Committed suicide or killed at the behest of Aurelian
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Aurelian	c. August 270 – c. November 275	Commander of the Roman cavalry, proclaimed emperor by Danube legions after Claudius II's death, in opposition to Quintillus	9 September 214 – Sept./Dec. 275 Reunified the Roman Empire. Murdered by the Praetorian Guard
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Tacitus	c. December 275 – c. June 276	Alleged princeps senatus, proclaimed emperor by the Senate or, more likely, by his soldiers in Campania after Aurelian's death	c. 200 (?) – c. June 276 Died of illness or possibly murdered
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Florianus	c. June – September 276	Maternal half-brother of Tacitus, proclaimed himself emperor after the death of Tacitus	Unknown – September/October 276 Murdered by his own troops in favor of Probus
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Probus	c. June 276 – c. September 282	General; proclaimed emperor by the eastern legions, in opposition to Florianus	19 August 232 – c. September 282 Murdered by his own troops in favor of Carus
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Carus	c. September 282 – c. July/August 283	Praetorian prefect under Probus, seized power before or after Probus's murder	c. 224 (?) – c. July/August 283 Died in Persia, either of illness, assassination, or by being hit by lightning
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Carinus	Spring 283 – August/September 285	Son of Carus, appointed joint emperor shortly before his death. Succeeded jointly with Numerian	c. 250 – August/September 285 Probably died in battle against Diocletian, likely betrayed by his own soldiers
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Numerian	c. July/August 283 – November 284	Son of Carus, succeeded jointly with Carinus	c. 253 – November 284 Died while marching to Europe, probably of disease, possibly assassinated

Dominate (284–476)

See main article: Dominate.

Tetrarchy (284–324)

See main article: Tetrarchy.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Diocletian "Jovius"	20 November 284 – 1 May 305	Commander of the imperial bodyguard, acclaimed by the army after death of Numerian, and proceeded to defeat Numerian's brother, Carinus, in battle	22 December 243 – 3 December 311 Began the last great persecution of Christianity. First emperor to voluntarily abdicate. Died in unclear circumstances, possibly suicide
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Maximian "Herculius"	1 April 286 – 1 May 305 November 306 – 11 November 308	Elevated by Diocletian, ruled the western provinces	c. 250 – c. July 310 Abdicated with Diocletian, later trying to regain power with, and then from, Maxentius, before being probably killed on orders of Constantine I
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Galerius	1 May 305 – May 311	Elevated to caesar in 293 by Diocletian, succeeded as eastern augustus upon Diocletian's abdication	c. 258 – May 311 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantius I "Chlorus"	1 May 305 – 25 July 306	Maximian's relation by marriage, elevated to caesar in 293 by Diocletian, succeeded as western augustus upon Maximian's abdication	31 March 250 – 25 July 306 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Severus II	August 306 – March/April 307	Elevated to caesar in 305 by Maximian, promoted to western augustus by Galerius upon Constantius I's death	Unknown – September 307 Surrendered to Maximian and Maxentius, later murdered or forced to commit suicide
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Maxentius	28 October 306 – 28 October 312	Son of Maximian and son-in-law of Galerius, seized power in Italy with support of the Praetorian Guard and his father after being passed over in the succession. Not recognized by the other emperors	c. 283 – 28 October 312 Died at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, against Constantine I
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Licinius	11 November 308 – 19 September 324	Elevated by Galerius to replace Severus, in opposition to Maxentius. Defeated Maximinus Daza in a civil war to become sole emperor of the East in 313	c. 265 – early 325 Defeated, deposed and put to death by Constantine I
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Maximinus II "Daza"	310 – c. July 313	Nephew of Galerius, elevated to caesar by Galerius in 305, and acclaimed as augustus by his troops in 310	20 November c. 270 – c. July 313 Defeated in civil war against Licinius, died shortly afterwards
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Valerius Valens	October 316 – c. January 317	Frontier commander in Dacia, elevated by Licinius in opposition to Constantine I	Unknown – 317 Executed in the lead-up to a peace settlement between Licinius and Constantine
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Martinian	July – 19 September 324	A senior bureaucrat, elevated by Licinius in opposition to Constantine I	Unknown – 325 Deposed by Constantine and banished to Cappadocia, later executed

Constantinian dynasty (306–363)

See main article: Constantinian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="24%"	Reign	scope=col width="23%"	Succession	scope=col width="30%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine I "the Great"	25 July 306 – 22 May 337	Son of Constantius I, acclaimed by his father's troops as augustus. Accepted as caesar by Galerius, promoted to augustus in 307 by Maximian, refused demotion to caesar in 309	27 February 272/273 – 22 May 337 First Christian emperor and founder of Constantinople. Sole ruler of the Empire after defeating Maxentius in 312 and Licinius in 324. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine II	9 September 337 – April 340	Son of Constantine I	February 316 – April 340 Ruled the praetorian prefecture of Gaul. Killed in an ambush during a war against his brother, Constans I
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constans I	9 September 337 – January 350	Son of Constantine I	322/323 – January/February 350 Ruled Italy, Illyricum and Africa initially, then the western empire after Constantine II's death. Overthrown and killed by Magnentius
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantius II	9 September 337 – 3 November 361	Son of Constantine I	7 August 317 – 3 November 361 Ruled the east initially, then the whole empire after the death of Magnentius. Died of a fever shortly after planning to fight a war against Julian
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Magnentius	18 January 350 – 10 August 353	Proclaimed emperor by the troops, in opposition to Constans I	c. 303 – 10 August 353 Committed suicide after losing the Battle of Mons Seleucus

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Vetranio	1 March – 25 December 350	General of Constans in Illyricum, acclaimed by the Illyrian legions at the expense of Magnentius	Unknown – c. 356 Abdicated in Constantius II's favor, retired, and died 6 years later

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Nepotianus	3 June – 30 June 350	Son of Eutropia, a daughter of Constantius I. Proclaimed emperor in Rome in opposition to Magnentius	Unknown – 30 June 350 Captured and executed by supporters of Magnentius

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Julian "the Apostate"	3 November 361 – 26 June 363	Cousin and heir of Constantius II, acclaimed by the Gallic army around February 360; entered Constantinople on 11 December 361	331 – 26 June 363 Last non-Christian emperor. Mortally wounded during a campaign against Persia

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Jovian	27 June 363 – 17 February 364	Commander of imperial household guard; acclaimed by the army after Julian's death	330/331 – 17 February 364 Died before reaching the capital, possibly due to inhaling toxic fumes or indigestion. Last emperor to rule the whole Empire during their entire reign

Valentinianic dynasty (364–392)

See main article: Valentinianic dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Valentinian I "the Great"	25/26 February 364 – 17 November 375	General; proclaimed emperor by the army after Jovian's death	321 – 17 November 375 Last emperor to cross the Rhine into Germania. Died of a stroke while yelling at envoys
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Valens	28 March 364 – 9 August 378	Brother of Valentinian I, made eastern emperor by his brother (Valentinian retaining the west)	328 – 9 August 378 Killed at the Battle of Adrianople
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Procopius	28 September 365 – 27 May 366	Maternal cousin of Julian; revolted against Valens and captured Constantinople, where the people proclaimed him emperor	326 – 27/28 May 366 Deposed, captured and executed by Valens

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Gratian	17 November 375 – 25 August 383	Son of Valentinian I; proclaimed western co-emperor on 24 August 367, at age 8. Emperor in his own right after Valentinian's death	18 April 359 – 25 August 383 Killed by Andragathius, an officer of Magnus Maximus

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Magnus Maximus	25 August 383 – 28 August 388	General, related to Theodosius I; proclaimed emperor by the troops in Britain. Briefly recognized by Theodosius I and Valentinian II	Unknown – 28 August 388 Defeated by Theodosius I at the Battle of Save, executed after surrendering

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Valentinian II	28 August 388 – 15 May 392	Son of Valentinian I, proclaimed co-emperor on 22 November 375, at age 4. Sole western ruler after the defeat of Magnus Maximus in 388	371 – 15 May 392 Dominated by regents and co-emperors his entire reign. Probably suicide, possibly killed by Arbogast

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Eugenius	22 August 392 – 6 September 394	Teacher of Latin grammar and rhetoric, secretary of Valentinian II. Proclaimed emperor by Arbogast	Unknown – 6 September 394 Defeated by Theodosius I at the Battle of the Frigidus and executed

Theodosian dynasty (379–457)

See main article: Theodosian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="24%"	Reign	scope=col width="24%"	Succession	scope=col width="30%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Theodosius I "the Great"	19 January 379 – 17 January 395	Retired general; proclaimed eastern emperor by Gratian. Ruler of the entire empire after Valentinian II's death	11 January 346/347 – 17 January 395 Last emperor to briefly rule over the two halves of the Empire after the Battle of the Frigidus. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Arcadius	17 January 395 – 1 May 408	Son of Theodosius I; co-emperor since 16 January 383. Emperor in the east	377 – 1 May 408 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Honorius	17 January 395 – 15 August 423	Son of Theodosius I; co-emperor since 23 January 393. Emperor in the west	9 September 384 – 15 August 423 Reigned under several successive regencies. Died of edema
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Constantine III	407 – 411	Common soldier, proclaimed emperor by the troops in Britain. Recognized by Honorius in 409. Emperor in the west	Unknown – 411 (before 18 September) Surrendered to Constantius, a general of Honorius, and abdicated. Sent to Italy but murdered on the way

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Theodosius II	1 May 408 – 28 July 450	Son of Arcadius; co-emperor since 10 January 402. Emperor in the east	10 April 401 – 28 July 450 Died of a fall from his horse

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Priscus Attalus	Late 409 – summer 410	A leading member of the Senate, proclaimed emperor by Alaric after the Sack of Rome. Emperor in the west	Unknown lifespan Deposed by Alaric after reconciling with Honorius. Tried to claim the throne again 414–415 but was defeated and forced into exile; fate unknown

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantius III	8 February – 2 September 421 ;	Prominent general under Honorius and husband of Galla Placidia, a daughter of Theodosius I. Made co-emperor by Honorius. Emperor in the west	Unknown – 2 September 421 De facto ruler since 411; helped Honorius defeat numerous usurpers & foreign enemies. Died of illness

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Johannes	20 November 423 – May 425	Senior civil servant, seized power in Rome and the west after Theodosius II delayed in nominating a successor of Honorius	Unknown – May 425 Captured by the forces of Theodosius II, brought to Constantinople and executed

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Valentinian III	23 October 425 – 16 March 455	Son of Constantius III, grandson of Theodosius I and great-grandson of Valentinian I, installed as emperor of the west by Theodosius II	2 July 419 – 16 March 455 Faced the invasion of the Huns. Murdered by Optelas and Thraustelas, retainers of Aetius
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Marcian	25 August 450 – 27 January 457	Soldier and official, proclaimed emperor after marrying Pulcheria, a daughter of Arcadius. Emperor in the east	391/392 – 27 January 457 Died after a prolonged period of illness

Last western emperors (455–476)

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Name	scope=col width="24%"	Reign	scope=col width="24%"	Succession	scope=col width="30%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Petronius Maximus	17 March – 31 May 455	General and civil official, murdered Valentinian III and married his widow, Licinia Eudoxia	Unknown – 31 May 455 Killed by a mob while fleeing during the Vandalic sack of Rome
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Avitus	9 July 455 – 17 October 456	General; proclaimed emperor by the Visigoths and Gallo-Romans after the death of Petronius Maximus	Unknown – 456/457 Defeated and deposed by the magister militum Ricimer, became a bishop. Died shortly after of either natural causes, strangulation, or being starved to death
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Majorian	28 December 457 – 2 August 461	General; proclaimed by the army, backed by Ricimer	Unknown – 7 August 461 Reconquered Gaul, Hispania and Dalmatia. Deposed and executed by Ricimer
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Libius Severus	19 November 461 – 14 November 465	Proclaimed emperor by Ricimer	Unknown – 14 November 465 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Anthemius	12 April 467 – 11 July 472	General; great-grandson of Procopius, a cousin of Julian, and husband of Marcia Euphemia, a daughter of Marcian. Proclaimed western emperor by Leo I	Unknown – 11 July 472 The last effective emperor of the West. Murdered by Gundobad after a civil war with Ricimer
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Olybrius	April – 2 November 472	Husband of Placidia, a daughter of Valentinian III. Proclaimed emperor by Ricimer	Unknown – 2 November 472 Died of dropsy
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Glycerius	3/5 March 473 – 24 June 474	General; proclaimed emperor by Gundobad	Unknown lifespan Deposed by Julius Nepos and made a bishop, subsequent fate unknown
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Julius Nepos	24 June 474 – 28 August 475 ----August 475 – 9 May 480	General; married to a relative of Verina, the wife of the eastern emperor Leo I. Installed as western emperor by Leo	Unknown – 9 May 480 Fled to Dalmatia in the face of an attack by his magister militum Orestes. Continued to claim to be emperor in exile. Murdered by his retainers
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Romulus "Augustulus"	31 October 475 – 4 September 476	Proclaimed emperor by his father, the magister militum Orestes	Roughly 465 – after 507/511? The last western emperor. Deposed by the Germanic general Odoacer and retired. Possibly alive as late as 507 or 511; fate unknown

Later Eastern emperors (457–1453)

Leonid dynasty (457–518)

See main article: Leonid dynasty and Byzantine Empire under the Leonid dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Leo I "the Butcher"	7 February 457 – 18 January 474	Low-ranking army officer; chosen by the magister militum Aspar to succeed Marcian	400/401 – 18 January 474 First emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople. Died of dysentery
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Leo II "the Younger"	18 January – November 474	Grandson of Leo I and son of Zeno; co-emperor since 17 November 473	467 – November 474 Youngest emperor at the time of his death. Died of illness
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Zeno	29 January 474 – 9 January 475	Husband of Ariadne, a daughter of Leo I, and father of Leo II. Crowned senior co-emperor with the approval of the Senate	425 – 9 April 491 Fled to Isauria in the face of a Revolt led by his mother-in-law Verina & Basiliscus.
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Basiliscus	9 January 475 – August 476	Brother of Verina, the wife of Leo I. Proclaimed emperor by his sister in opposition to Zeno and seized Constantinople	Unknown – 476/477 Deposed by Zeno upon his return to Constantinople; imprisoned in a dried-up reservoir and starved to death
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Zeno	August 476 – 9 April 491	Retook the throne with the help of general Illus
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Anastasius I "Dicorus"	11 April 491 – 9 July 518	Government official; chosen by Ariadne, whom he married, to succeed Zeno	430/431 – 9 July 518 Oldest emperor at the time of his death. Died of natural causes

Justinian dynasty (518–602)

See main article: Byzantine Empire under the Justinian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Justin I	9/10 July 518 – 1 August 527	Soldier; proclaimed emperor by the troops after the death of Anastasius I	450 – 1 August 527 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Justinian I "the Great"	1 April 527 – 14 November 565	Nephew and adoptive son of Justin I	482 – 14 November 565 Temporarily reconquered half of the Western Roman Empire, including Rome. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Justin II	14 November 565 – 5 October 578	Son of Vigilantia, sister of Justinian I	Unknown – 5 October 578 Lost most of Italy to the Lombards by 570. Suffered an attack of dementia in 574, whereafter the government was run by regents. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Tiberius II Constantine	26 September 578 – 14 August 582	Adoptive son of Justin II	Mid-6th century – 14 August 582 Died after a sudden illness, supposedly after accidentally eating bad food
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Maurice	13 August 582 – 27 November 602	Husband of Constantina, a daughter of Tiberius II	539 – 27 November 602 Captured and executed by troops loyal to Phocas
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Phocas	23 November 602 – 5 October 610	Centurion in the army; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Maurice	547 – 5 October 610 Deposed and then beheaded on the orders of Heraclius

Heraclian dynasty (610–695)

See main article: Byzantine Empire under the Heraclian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Heraclius	5 October 610 – 11 February 641	Son of Heraclius the Elder, the exarch of Carthage. Led a revolt against Phocas	574/575 – 11 February 641 Ended the Persian Wars, but suffered the loss of the Levant to the Muslims. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Heraclius Constantine	11 February – 25 May 641	Son of Heraclius; co-emperor since 22 January 613	3 May 612 – 25 May 641 Died of tuberculosis
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Heraclonas	25 May – 5 November (?) 641	Son of Heraclius; co-emperor since 4 July 638. Co-ruler with Constantine and then sole emperor under the regency of his mother Martina	626 – unknown Deposed, mutilated and exiled, subsequent fate unknown
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constans II "the Bearded"	September 641 – 15 July 668	Son of Heraclius Constantine; proclaimed co-emperor by Heraclonas at age 11	7 November 630 – 15 July 668 Lost Egypt in 641. Murdered in Sicily while bathing by supporters of Mezezius
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine IV	September 668 – 10 July (?) 685	Son of Constans II; co-emperor since 13 April 654	Roughly 650 – 10 July (?) 685 Defeated the First Arab Siege of Constantinople. Died of dysentery
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Justinian II "Rhinotmetus"	July 685 – 695	Son of Constantine IV	668/669 – 4 November 711 Deposed and mutilated (hence his nickname, "Slit-nosed") by Leontius in 695; returned to the throne in 705

Twenty Years' Anarchy (695–717)

See main article: Twenty Years' Anarchy.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Leontius	695 – 698	General; deposed Justinian II	Unknown – 15 February (?) 706 Lost Africa & Carthage to the Muslims. Deposed by Tiberius III in 698 and later executed by Justinian II in 706
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Tiberius III	698 – 21 August (?) 705	General; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Leontius	Unknown – 15 February (?) 706 Deposed and later executed by Justinian II alongside Leontius
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Justinian II "Rhinotmetus"	21 August (?) 705 – 4 November 711	Retook the throne with the aid of the Khazars	668/669 – 4 November 711 Killed by supporters of Philippicus after fleeing Constantinople
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Philippicus	4 November 711 – 3 June 713	General; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Justinian II	Unknown – 20 January 714/715 Deposed and blinded in favor of Anastasius II, later died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Anastasius II	4 June 713 – fall 715	Senior court official, proclaimed emperor after the deposition of Philippicus	Unknown – 1 June 719 Abdicated to Theodosius III after a six-month civil war, becoming a monk. Beheaded by Leo III after an attempt to retake the throne
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Theodosius III	Fall 715 – 25 March 717	Tax-collector, possibly son of Tiberius III; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Anastasius II	Unknown lifespan Deposed by Leo III, whereafter he became a monk. His subsequent fate is unknown.

Isaurian (Syrian) dynasty (717–802)

See main article: Byzantine Empire under the Isaurian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Leo III "the Isaurian"	25 March 717 – 18 June 741	General; deposed Theodosius III	685 – 18 June 741 Ended Muslim expansion in Anatolia. Died of dropsy
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine V "Copronymus"	18 June 741 – 14 September 775	Son of Leo III; co-emperor since 31 March 720	718 – 14 September 775 Last emperor to rule over Rome. Died of a fever
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB"	Artabasdos	June 741 – 2 November 743	Husband of Anna, a daughter of Leo III. Revolted against Constantine V and briefly ruled at Constantinople	Unknown lifespan Deposed and blinded by Constantine V, relegated to a monastery where he died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Leo IV "the Khazar"	14 September 775 – 8 September 780	Son of Constantine V; co-emperor since 6 June 751	25 January 750 – 8 September 780 Died of a fever
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine VI	8 September 780 – 19 August 797	Son of Leo IV; co-emperor since 14 April 776	14 January 771 – before 805 Last emperor to be recognized in the West. Deposed, blinded and exiled by Irene
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Irene	19 August 797 – 31 October 802	Widow of Leo IV and former regent of Constantine VI. Became co-ruler in 792. Dethroned and blinded her son Constantine in 797, becoming the first female ruler of the empire	c. 752 – 9 August 803 Deposed by Nikephoros I and exiled to Lesbos, where she died of natural causes

Nikephorian dynasty (802–813)

See main article: Byzantine Empire under the Nikephorian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Nikephoros I "the Logothete"	31 October 802 – 26 July 811	Court official; proclaimed emperor in opposition to Irene	760 – 26 July 811 Killed at the Battle of Pliska
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Staurakios	28 July – 2 October 811	Son of Nikephoros I; co-emperor since 25 December 803. Proclaimed emperor after the death of his father	790s – 11 January 812 Wounded at Pliska; abdicated in favor of Michael I and became a monk
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Michael I Rangabe	2 October 811 – 11 July 813	Husband of Prokopia, a daughter of Nikephoros I	c. 770 – 11 January 844 Abdicated in 813 in favor of Leo V after suffering a defeat at the Battle of Versinikia and retired as a monk
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Leo V "the Armenian"	11 July 813 – 25 December 820	General; proclaimed emperor after the Battle of Versinikia	c. 775 – 25 December 820 Murdered while in church by supporters of Michael II

Amorian dynasty (820–867)

See main article: Byzantine Empire under the Amorian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Michael II "the Amorian"	25 December 820 – 2 October 829	General sentenced to execution by Leo V; proclaimed emperor by Leo V's assassins and crowned by Patriarch Theodotus I on the same day	770 – 2 October 829 Saw the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Sicily. Died of kidney failure
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Theophilos	2 October 829 – 20 January 842	Son of Michael II; co-emperor since 12 May 821	812/813 – 20 January 842 Died of dysentery
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF"	Theodora (§)	20 January 842 – 15 March 856	Widow of Theophilos; ruler in her own right during the minority of their son Michael III	c. 815 – c. 867 Deposed by Michael III in 856, later died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Michael III "the Drunkard"	20 January 842 – 24 September 867	Son of Theophilos; co-emperor since 16 May 840. Ruled under his mother's regency until 15 March 856	19 January 840 – 24 September 867 The youngest emperor. Murdered by Basil I and his supporters

Macedonian dynasty (867–1056)

See main article: Macedonian dynasty, Lekapenos and Byzantine Empire under the Macedonian dynasty.

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Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Basil I "the Macedonian"	24 September 867 – 29 August 886	General; proclaimed co-emperor by Michael III on 26 May 866 and became senior emperor after Michael's murder	811, 830 or 836 – 29 August 886 Captured Bari in 876 & Taranto in 880. Died after a hunting accident
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Leo VI "the Wise"	29 August 886 – 11 May 912	Son of Basil I or illegitimate son of Michael III; crowned co-emperor on 6 January 870	19 September 866 – 11 May 912 Conquered Southern Italy but lost the remnants of Sicily in 902. Died of an intestinal disease
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Alexander	11 May 912 – 6 June 913	Son of Basil I; co-emperor since September or October 879	23 November 870 – 6 June 913 Died of illness, possibly testicular cancer
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus	6 June 913 – 9 November 959	Son of Leo VI; co-emperor since 15 May 908. Successively dominated by regents and co-emperors until 27 January 945, when he deposed Romanos I's sons	17/18 May 905 – 9 November 959 Saw the beginning of renewed expansion in the East against the Arabs. Remembered for his numerous writings. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Romanos I Lekapenos	17 December 920 – 20 December 944	Overthrew Constantine VII's regency, married him to his daughter Helena and was made senior co-emperor. Made several sons co-emperors to curb Constantine VII's authority	870 – 15 June 948 Deposed by his sons Stephen and Constantine. Died of natural causes in exile as a monk

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Romanos II	9 November 959 – 15 March 963	Son of Constantine VII and grandson of Romanos I; co-emperor since 6 April 945	938 – 15 March 963 Reconquered Crete in 961. Died of exhaustion on a hunting trip
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Nikephoros II Phokas	16 August 963 – 11 December 969	General; proclaimed emperor on 2 July 963 against the unpopular Joseph Bringas (regent for the young sons of Romanos II), entered Constantinople on 16 August 963. Married Theophano, the widow of Romanos II	c. 912 – 11 December 969 Reconquered Cilicia & Antioch. Murdered in a conspiracy involving his former supporters (including John I Tzimiskes) and Theophano
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	John I Tzimiskes	11 December 969 – 10 January 976	Nephew of Nikephoros II, took his place as senior co-emperor	c. 925 – 10 January 976 Reconquered Eastern Thrace from the First Bulgarian Empire. Possibly poisoned by Basil Lekapenos
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Basil II "the Bulgar-Slayer"	10 January 976 – 15 December 1025	Son of Romanos II; co-emperor since 22 April 960, briefly reigned as senior emperor in March–August 963. Succeeded as senior emperor upon the death of John I	958 – 15 December 1025 The longest-reigning emperor; best known for his reconquest of Bulgaria. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine VIII	15 December 1025 – 12 November 1028	Son of Romanos II and brother of Basil II; co-emperor since 30 March 962	960 – 12 November 1028 De jure longest-reigning emperor. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Romanos III Argyros	12 November 1028 – 11 April 1034	Husband of Zoë, a daughter of Constantine VIII	c. 968 – 11 April 1034 Temporarily reconquered Edessa in 1031. Possibly drowned on Zoë's orders
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Michael IV "the Paphlagonian"	12 April 1034 – 10 December 1041	Lover of Zoë, made emperor after their marriage following Romanos III's death	c. 1010 – 10 December 1041 Died of epilepsy
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Michael V "Kalaphates"	13 December 1041 – 21 April 1042	Nephew and designated heir of Michael IV, proclaimed emperor by Zoë three days after Michael IV's death	c. 1015 – unknown Deposed in a popular uprising after attempting to sideline Zoë, blinded and forced to become a monk
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Zoë Porphyrogenita	21 April – 11 June 1042	Daughter of Constantine VIII and widow of Romanos III and Michael IV. Ruled in her own right from Michael V's deposition until her marriage to Constantine IX.	c. 978 – 1050 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Theodora Porphyrogenita	21 April – 11 June 1042	Daughter of Constantine VIII and sister of Zoë, proclaimed co-empress during the revolt that deposed Michael V	c. 980 – 31 August 1056 Sidelined after Zoë's marriage to Constantine IX, returned to the throne in 1055
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine IX Monomachos	11 June 1042 – 11 January 1055	Husband of Zoë, crowned the day after their marriage	c. 1006 – 11 January 1055 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Theodora Porphyrogenita	11 January 1055 – 31 August 1056	Claimed the throne again after Constantine IX's death as the last living member of the Macedonian dynasty	c. 980 – 31 August 1056 Died of natural causes

	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Michael VI Bringas "Stratiotikos"	22 August 1056 – 30 August 1057	Proclaimed emperor by Theodora on her deathbed	980s/990s – c. 1057 Deposed in a revolt, retired to a monastery and died soon afterwards
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Isaac I Komnenos	1 September 1057 – 22 November 1059	General, proclaimed emperor on 8 June 1057 in opposition to Michael VI	c. 1007 – 31 May/1 June 1060 Abdicated to Constantine X due to illness and hostile courtiers, became a monk

Doukas dynasty (1059–1078)

See main article: Doukas and Byzantine Empire under the Doukas dynasty.

Portrait! scope=col width="17%"

Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine X Doukas	23 November 1059 – 23 May 1067	Designated as emperor by Isaac I Komnenos during his abdication	1006 – 23 May 1067 Lost nearly all Italian territories to the Normans. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF"	Eudokia Makrembolitissa (§)	23 May – 31 December 1067	Widow of Constantine X; ruler in her own right on behalf of their sons until her marriage to Romanos IV. Briefly resumed her regency in September 1071	c. 1030 – after 1078 Became a nun in November 1071 and later died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Romanos IV Diogenes	1 January 1068 – 26 August 1071	Husband of Eudokia. Regent and senior co-emperor together with Constantine X's and Eudokia's children	c. 1032 – 4 August 1072 Captured at Manzikert by the Seljuk Turks. After his release blinded on 29 June 1072 by John Doukas, later dying of his wounds
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Michael VII Doukas "Parapinakes"	1 October 1071 – 24/31 March 1078	Son of Constantine X; made co-emperor in 1060 with Eudokia and Romanos IV. Proclaimed sole emperor after Romanos' defeat at the Battle of Manzikert	c. 1050 – c. 1090 Lost nearly all of Anatolia to the Turks. Forced to become a monk after a popular uprising. Died of natural causes several years later
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Nikephoros III Botaneiates	3 April 1078 – 1 April 1081	General; revolted against Michael VII on 2 July or 2 October 1077 and entered Constantinople on 27 March or 3 April. Married Maria of Alania, the former wife of Michael VII	1001/1002 – c. 1081 Abdicated after Alexios I captured Constantinople, became a monk and died of natural causes, probably later in the same year

Komnenos dynasty (1081–1185)

See main article: Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty.

Portrait! scope=col width="17%"
Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Alexios I Komnenos	1 April 1081 – 15 August 1118	Nephew of Isaac I, also husband of Irene Doukaina, a grand-niece of Constantine X. General; revolted against Nikephoros III on 14 February 1081. Seized Constantinople on 1 April; crowned on 4 April	1057 – 15 August 1118 Started the Crusades & the reconquest of Anatolia. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	John II Komnenos "the Good"	15 August 1118 – 8 April 1143	Son of Alexios I, co-emperor since about September 1092	13 September 1087 – 8 April 1143 Reconquered most of Anatolia by the time of his death. Died of injuries sustained in a hunting accident, possibly assassinated (perhaps involving Raymond of Poitiers or supporters of Manuel I)
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Manuel I Komnenos "the Great"	8 April 1143 – 24 September 1180	Youngest son and allegedly designated heir of John II on his deathbed, crowned in November 1143 after a few months of having to establish his rights	28 November 1118 – 24 September 1180 Last emperor to attempt reconquests in the west. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Alexios II Komnenos	24 September 1180 – c. September 1183	Son of Manuel I; co-emperor since 1171	14 September 1169 – c. September 1183 Strangled on the orders of Andronikos I, body thrown in the sea
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Andronikos I Komnenos "Misophaes"	c. September 1183 – 12 September 1185	Son of Isaac Komnenos, a son of Alexios I. Overthrew the regency of Alexios II in April 1182, crowned co-emperor in 1183 and shortly thereafter had Alexios II murdered	c. 1118/1120 – 12 September 1185 Overthrown by Isaac II, tortured and mutilated in the imperial palace, then slowly dismembered alive by a mob in the Hippodrome

Angelos dynasty (1185–1204)

See main article: Angelos and Byzantine Empire under the Angelos dynasty.

Portrait! scope=col width="17%"

Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Isaac II Angelos	12 September 1185 – 8 April 1195	Great-grandson of Alexios I. Resisted an order of arrest issued by Andronikos I, after which he was proclaimed emperor by the people of Constantinople. Captured and killed Andronikos I	1156 – January 1204 Suffered the loss of Bulgaria. Overthrown and blinded by Alexios III in 1195, reinstalled in 1203
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Alexios III Angelos	8 April 1195 – 17/18 July 1203	Elder brother of Isaac II, overthrew and blinded his brother	c. 1156 – 1211/1212 Fled after brief resistance against the Fourth Crusade. Died a natural death after being captured and forced to become a monk by Theodore I
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Alexios IV Angelos	19 July 1203 – 27 January 1204	Son of Isaac II, overthrew Alexios III with the help of the crusaders as part of the Fourth Crusade, then named co-emperor alongside his blinded father	c. 1182/1183 – c. 8 February 1204 Deposed and imprisoned by Alexios V, then strangled in prison
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Isaac II Angelos	19 July 1203 – 27 January 1204	Freed from imprisonment during the Fourth Crusade by courtiers and reinstated as ruler after Alexios III abandoned the defense of Constantinople	c. 1156 – January 1204 Became senile or demented and died of natural causes shortly before Alexios V's coup
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Alexios V Doukas "Mourtzouphlos"	27/28 January – 12 April 1204	Seized power through a palace coup, son-in-law of Alexios III.	c. 1139 – c. late November 1204 Fled during the sack of Constantinople. Blinded by Alexios III, later captured by crusader Thierry de Loos and thrown from the Column of Theodosius

Laskaris dynasty (1205–1261)

See main article: Laskaris and Empire of Nicaea.

Portrait! scope=col width="17%"
Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Theodore I Laskaris	May 1205 – November 1221	Husband of Anna Komnene Angelina, a daughter of Alexios III. Organized resistance against the Latin Empire in Nicaea and proclaimed emperor in 1205 after the Battle of Adrianople; crowned by Patriarch Michael IV on 6 April 1208.	c. 1174 – November 1221 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	John III Vatatzes	c. December 1221 – 3 November 1254	Husband of Irene Laskarina, a daughter of Theodore I	c. 1192 – 3 November 1254 Started Nicaean expansionism. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Theodore II Laskaris	3 November 1254 – 16 August 1258	Son of John III and grandson of Theodore I, co-emperor since about 1235	November 1221 – 16 August 1258 Died of epilepsy
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	John IV Laskaris	16 August 1258 – 25 December 1261	Son and co-emperor of Theodore II	25 December 1250 – c. 1305 Blinded, deposed and imprisoned by Michael VIII Palaiologos in 1261, died in captivity several decades later

Palaiologos dynasty (1259–1453)

See main article: Palaiologos and Byzantine Empire under the Palaiologos dynasty.

Portrait! scope=col width="17%"
Name	scope=col width="26%"	Reign	scope=col width="25%"	Succession	scope=col width="25%"	Life details
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Michael VIII Palaiologos	1 January 1259 – 11 December 1282	Great-grandson of Alexios III; became regent for John IV in 1258 and crowned co-emperor in 1259. Regained Constantinople on 25 July 1261, entered the city on 15 August. Became sole ruler after deposing John IV on 25 December	1224/1225 – 11 December 1282 Died of dysentery
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Andronikos II Palaiologos	11 December 1282 – 24 May 1328	Son of Michael VIII; named co-emperor shortly after 1261, crowned on 8 November 1272	25 March 1259 – 13 February 1332 Deposed by his grandson Andronikos III in 1328 and became a monk, dying of natural causes four years later
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF"	Michael IX Palaiologos (§)	21 May 1294 – 12 October 1320	Son and co-ruler of Andronikos II, named co-emperor in 1281, crowned on 21 May 1294	17 April 1277/1278 – 12 October 1320 Allegedly died of grief due to the accidental murder of his second son, probably died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Andronikos III Palaiologos	24 May 1328 – 15 June 1341	Son of Michael IX, named co-emperor between 1308 and 1313. Fought with his grandfather Andronikos II for power from April 1321 onwards. Crowned emperor on 2 February 1325, became sole emperor after deposing Andronikos II	25 March 1297 – 15 June 1341 Last Emperor to effectively control Greece. Died of sudden illness, possibly malaria
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	John V Palaiologos	15 June 1341 – 16 February 1391	Son of Andronikos III, not formally crowned until 19 November 1341. Dominated by regents until 1354, faced numerous usurpations and civil wars throughout his long reign	18 June 1332 – 16 February 1391 Reigned almost 50 years, but only held effective power for 33. Lost almost all territories outside Constantinople. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	John VI Kantakouzenos	8 February 1347 – 10 December 1354	Related to the Palaiologoi through his mother. Proclaimed by the army on 26 October 1341, became regent and senior co-emperor after a lengthy civil war with John V's mother, Anna of Savoy. Entered Constantinople on 8 February, crowned on 21 May 1347	1295 – 15 June 1383 Deposed by John V in another civil war and retired, becoming a monk. Died of natural causes several decades later
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Andronikos IV Palaiologos	12 August 1376 – 1 July 1379 May 1381 – June 1385	Son of John V and grandson of John VI; named co-emperor and heir in 1352, but imprisoned and partially blinded after a failed rebellion in May 1373. Rebelled again and successfully deposed his father in 1376; not formally crowned until 18 October 1377	11 April 1348 – 25/28 June 1385 Deposed by John V in 1379; fled to Galata in exile but was restored as co-emperor and heir in May 1381, ruling over Selymbria and the coast of Marmara. Rebelled again in June 1385 but died shortly thereafter
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	John VII Palaiologos	14 April – 17 September 1390 late 1403 – 22 September 1408	Son of Andronikos IV, co-emperor since 1377; usurped the throne from John V in 1390. Deposed shortly thereafter but granted Thessalonica by Manuel II in 1403, from where he once more ruled as emperor until his death	1370 – 22 September 1408 Ruled Constantinople as regent in 1399–1403 during Manuel II's absence. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Manuel II Palaiologos	16 February 1391 – 21 July 1425	Son of John V and grandson of John VI; co-emperor since 25 September 1373	27 June 1350 – 21 July 1425 Suffered a stroke in 1422, whereafter the government was run by his son, John VIII. Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	John VIII Palaiologos	21 July 1425 – 31 October 1448	Son of Manuel II; co-emperor by 1407 and full emperor since 19 January 1421	18 December 1392 – 31 October 1448 Died of natural causes
	scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA"	Constantine XI Palaiologos	6 January 1449 – 29 May 1453	Son of Manuel II and favored successor of his brother John VIII. Crowned emperor in Mystras on 6 January 1449, entered Constantinople on 12 March.	8 February 1405 – 29 May 1453 The last Roman emperor. Died in battle at the fall of Constantinople.

Other claims to the Roman imperial title

Other claims to the Roman imperial title! Subject! Description
Roman usurpers (list)	Roman usurpers were individuals or groups of individuals who obtained or tried to obtain power by force and without legitimate legal authority. Usurpation was endemic during the Roman imperial era, especially from the crisis of the third century onwards, when political instability became the rule.A number of individuals proclaimed themselves emperor (or were proclaimed or appointed as emperor), but are not considered as legitimate emperors because they did not oust the ruling emperor, or did not establish control of the whole empire, or were not accepted by the senate or other imperial colleagues.
Byzantine usurpers (list)
Holy Roman Emperors (list)	The Holy Roman Emperor was the ruler and head of state of the Holy Roman Empire.Charlemagne was crowned imperator romanorum ("Emperor of the Romans") by Pope Leo III in AD 800. In so doing, the Pope rejected the legitimacy of Empress Irene. The Byzantines never recognized the Holy Roman emperors as "Roman emperors" and called them the 'emperor (or king) of the Franks', to them only the Byzantine Senate (successor to the Roman Senate) and/or the Byzantine military (successor to the Roman military) had the right to appoint a new Roman Emperor. Likewise, Western Europeans didn't recognize the legitimacy of the Byzantine emperors and called them the 'emperor of the Greeks' or the 'emperor of Constantinople'. See also: Problem of two emperors
Latin Emperors (list)	The Latin Emperor was the ruler of the Latin Empire, the historiographical convention for the Crusader realm, established in Constantinople after the Fourth Crusade (1204) and lasting until the city was recovered by the Byzantine Greeks in 1261. Its name derives from its Catholic and Western European ("Latin") nature. The empire, whose official name was Imperium Romaniae (Latin: "Empire of Romania"), claimed the direct heritage of the Eastern Roman Empire, which had most of its lands taken and partitioned by the crusaders. This claim however was disputed by the Byzantine Greek successor states, the Empire of Nicaea, the Empire of Trebizond and the Despotate of Epirus. Out of these three, the Nicaeans succeeded in displacing the Latin emperors in 1261 and restored the Byzantine Empire.
Trapezuntine emperors (list)	The Trapezuntine emperors were the rulers of the Empire of Trebizond, one of the successor states of the Byzantine Empire founded after the Fourth Crusade in 1204, until its fall to the Ottoman Empire in 1461. The rulers of Trebizond called themselves Megas Komnenos and – like their counterparts in the other two Byzantine successor states, the Empire of Nicaea and the Despotate of Epirus – initially claimed supremacy as "Emperor and Autocrat of the Romans". However, after Michael VIII Palaiologos of Nicaea recaptured Constantinople in 1261, the Komnenian use of the style "Emperor" became a sore point. In September 1282, at Constantinople, John II of Trebizond relinquished his claim and accepted the title despot. His successors used a variant of the imperial title, "Emperor and Autocrat of all the East, the Iberians, and the Transmarine Provinces" until the Empire's end in 1461.^[4]
Emperors of Thessalonica (list)	The emperors of Thessalonica were the rulers of the Empire of Thessalonica, a historiographic term to refer to the short-lived state centred on the city of Thessalonica between 1224 and 1246 (sensu stricto until 1242) and ruled by the Komnenodoukas of Epirus.
Despots of Epirus (list)	The despot of Epirus was the ruler of the Despotate of Epirus, one of the successor states of the Byzantine Empire in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade. The name "Despotate of Epirus" is a modern historiographical name and was not used at the time.Some rulers used the version "despot of Romania" (Romania essentially referring to the territories of the Roman Empire, i.e. Byzantium) or "despot of the Romans" (claiming rulership over the Romans, i.e. the Byzantines/Greeks).
Ottoman sultans (list)	Based on the concept of right of conquest, the sultans of the Ottoman Empire claimed to be the legitimate Roman Emperors, in succession to the Byzantine emperors who had previously ruled from Constantinople. This claim was recognized by the Islamic world, but was never recognized by the Western Europeans. See Ottoman claim to Roman succession

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Cited links

External links

"The Rulers of the Roman Empire". De Imperatoribus Romanis
Chronology of Roman emperors by Ian Mladjov