List of Roman Empires

LIST OF ROMAN EMPIRES

Portrait	Name	Birth	Succession	Reign	Death	Time in office
	Augustus IMPERATOR CAESAR DIVI FILIVSAVGVSTVS	September 23, 63 BC,Rome, Italia	Great-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar; became de facto emperor as a result of the 'first settlement' between himself and theRoman Senate.	January 16, 27 BC – August 19, 14 AD	August 19, 14 AD Natural causes or perhaps poisoning by his wife, Livia.	40 years, 7 months and 3 days
	Tiberius TIBERIVS IVLIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS	November 16, 42 BC,Rome	Natural son of Livia Drusilla, Augustus' third wife, by a previous marriage; stepbrother and third husband ofJulia the Elder, daughter of Augustus; adopted by Augustus as his son and heir.	September 18, 14 AD – March 16, 37 AD	March 16, 37 AD Probably natural causes, possibly assassinated by Caligula	22 years, 5 months and 27 days
	Caligula GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS	August 31, 12 AD, Antium,Italia	Great-nephew and adoptive grandson of Tiberius; natural son ofGermanicus; great-grandson of Augustus.	March 18, 37 AD – January 24, 41 AD	January 24, 41 AD Assassinated in a conspiracy involving senators and Praetorian Guards.	3 years, 10 months and 6 days
	Claudius TIBERIVS CLAVDIVSCAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS	August 1, 10 BC,Lugdunum,Gallia Lugdunensis	Uncle of Caligula; brother of Germanicus; nephew of Tiberius; great-nephew and step-grandson of Augustus; proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard.	January 25/26, 41 AD – October 13, 54 AD	October 13, 54 AD Probably poisoned by his wifeAgrippina the Younger, in favour of her son Nero, possibly natural causes.	13 years, 8 months and 18/19 days
	Nero NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS	December 15, 37 AD,Antium, Italia	Great-nephew, stepson, son-in-law and adopted son of Claudius; nephew of Caligula; great-great-nephew of Tiberius; grandson of Germanicus; great-great-grandson of Augustus	October 13, 54 AD – June 9, 68 AD	June 9, 68 AD Committed suicide after being declared a public enemy by the Senate.	13 years, 7 months and 27 days

Year of the Four Emperors and Flavian dynasty[edit]

Main articles: Year of the Four Emperors and Flavian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Birth	Succession	Reign	Death	Time in office
	Galba SERVIVS SVLPICIVSGALBA CAESAR AVGVSTVS	December 24 3 BC, NearTerracina,Italia	Seized power afterNero's suicide, with support of the Spanish legions	June 8, 68 AD – January 15, 69 AD	January 15, 69 AD Murdered byPraetorian Guard in coup led by Otho.	7 months and 7 days
	Otho MARCVS SALVIVSOTHO CAESAR AVGVSTVS	April 28, 32 AD,Ferentinum,Italia	Appointed by Praetorian Guard	January 15, 69 AD – April 16, 69 AD	April 16, 69 AD Committed suicide after losing Battle of Bedriacum toVitellius	3 months and 1 day (91 days)
	Vitellius AVLVS VITELLIVSGERMANICVS AVGVSTVS	September 24, 15 AD,Rome	Seized power with support of German Legions (in opposition toGalba/Otho)	April 17, 69 AD – December 20, 69 AD	December 20, 69 AD Murdered byVespasian's troops	8 months and 3 days
	Vespasian TITVS FLAVIVS CAESARVESPASIANVSAVGVSTVS	November 17, 9 AD,Falacrine,Italia	Seized power with the support of the eastern Legions (in opposition toVitellius)	December 21, 69 AD – June 24, 79 AD	June 24, 79 AD Natural causes	9 years, 6 months and 3 days
	Titus TITVS FLAVIVS CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVGVSTVS	December 30, 39 AD,Rome	Son of Vespasian	June 24, 79 AD – September 13, 81 AD	September 13, 81 AD Natural causes (fever)	2 years, 2 months and 20 days
	Domitian TITVS FLAVIVS CAESARDOMITIANVSAVGVSTVS	October 24, 51 AD,Rome	Son of Vespasian	September 14, 81 AD – September 18, 96 AD	September 18, 96 AD Assassinated by court officials	15 years and 4 days

Nerva–Antonine dynasty[edit]

Main article: Nerva–Antonine dynasty

Portrait	Name	Birth	Succession	Reign	Death	Time in office
	Nerva MARCVS COCCEIVSNERVA CAESAR AVGVSTVS	November 8, 30 AD,Narni, Italia	Appointed by the Senate	September 18, 96 AD – January 27, 98 AD	January 27, 98 AD Natural causes	1 year, 4 months and 9 days
	Trajan CAESAR MARCVS VLPIVS NERVATRAIANVSAVGVSTVS	September 18, 53 AD,Italica,Hispania Baetica	Adopted son and heir ofNerva	January 28, 98 AD – August 7, 117 AD	August 7, 117 AD Natural causes	19 years, 6 months and 10 days
	Hadrian CAESAR PVBLIVS AELIVS TRAIANVSHADRIANVSAVGVSTVS	January 24, 76 AD,Italica,Hispania Baetica (orRome)	Adopted son and heir ofTrajan	August 11, 117 AD – July 10, 138 AD	July 10, 138 AD Natural causes	20 years, 10 months and 30 days
	Antoninus Pius CAESAR TITVS AELIVS HADRIANVSANTONINVSAVGVSTVS PIVS	September 19, 86 AD, NearLanuvium,Italia	Adopted son and heir ofHadrian	July 10, 138 AD – March 7, 161 AD	March 7, 161 AD Natural causes	22 years, 6 months and 28 days
	Marcus Aurelius CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVSANTONINVS AVGVSTVS	April 26, 121 AD, Rome	Adopted son, son-in-law and heir of Antoninus Pius; Co-emperor withLucius Verus until 169 AD	March 7, 161 AD – March 17, 180 AD	March 17, 180 AD Natural causes	19 years and 10 days
	Lucius Verus CAESAR LVCIVSAVRELIVS VERVSAVGVSTVS	December 15, 130 AD,Rome	Adopted son and heir ofAntoninus Pius and son-in-law of Marcus Aurelius; Co-emperor with Marcus Aureliusuntil death	March 7, 161 AD – ? March 169 AD	March 169 AD Natural causes (Plague)	8 years
	Commodus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVSCOMMODVSANTONINVS AVGVSTVS	August 31, 161 AD,Lanuvium,Italia	Natural son of Marcus Aurelius; joint emperor from 177 AD	177 AD – December 31, 192 AD	December 31, 192 AD Assassinated in palace, strangled to death	3 years as joint emperor, 12 as sole emperor

Year of the Five Emperors and Severan dynasty[edit]

Main articles: Year of the Five Emperors and Severan dynasty family tree

Portrait	Name	Birth	Succession	Reign	Death	Time in office
	Pertinax CAESAR PVBLIVS HELVIVS PERTINAXAVGVSTVS	August 1, 126 AD, Alba,Italia	Proclaimed emperor byPraetorian Guard	January 1, 193 AD – March 28, 193 AD	March 28, 193 AD Murdered byPraetorian Guard	2 months and 27 days (86 days)
	Didius Julianus CAESAR MARCVSDIDIVS SEVERVSIVLIANVS AVGVSTVS	133 or 137 AD, Milan,Italia	Won auction held by thePraetorian Guard for the position of emperor	March 28, 193 AD – June 1, 193 AD	June 1, 193 AD Executed on orders of theSenate	2 months and 4 days (65 days)
	Septimius Severus CAESAR LVCIVSSEPTIMIVS SEVERVSPERTINAX AVGVSTVS	April 11, 145 AD, Leptis Magna, Libya	Seized power with support of Pannonianlegions[11]	April 9, 193 AD – February 4, 211 AD	February 4, 211 AD Natural causes	17 years, 9 months and 26 days
	Caracalla CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS SEVERVSANTONINVS PIVS AVGVSTVS	April 4, 188 AD,Lugdunum,Gallia Lugdunensis	Son of Septimius Severus; co-emperor with Severus from 198 AD; with Severus andGeta from 209 AD until February 211 AD; co-emperor with Geta until December 211 AD	198 AD – April 8, 217 AD	April 8, 217 AD Murdered by a soldier as part of a conspiracy involvingMacrinus	13 years as joint emperor 10 months with Geta 6 years as sole emperor
	Geta CAESAR PVBLIVS SEPTIMIVS GETAAVGVSTUS	March 7, 189 AD, Rome	Son of Septimius Severus; co-emperor with Severus andCaracalla from 209 AD until February 211 AD; co-emperor with Caracalla until December 211 AD	209 AD – December 26, 211 AD	December 19, 211 AD Murdered on the orders ofCaracalla	2 years as joint emperor 10 months with Caracalla
	Macrinus MARCVS OPELLIVS SEVERVS MACRINVSAVGVSTVS PIVS FELIX with Diadumenian MARCVS OPELLIVS ANTONINVSDIADUMENIANVS	c. 165 AD, Iol Caesarea,Mauretania	Praetorian Prefect toCaracalla, probably conspired to have Caracalla murdered and proclaimed himself emperor after Caracalla's death; appointed his sonDiadumenian junior emperor in May 217	April 11, 217 AD – June 8, 218 AD	June 8, 218 AD Both executed in favour ofElagabalus	1 year, 1 months and 28 days
	Elagabalus MARCVS AVRELIVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS	c. 203 AD,Emesa, Syria	Grandson-in-law ofSeptimius Severus, alleged illegitimate son of Caracalla; proclaimed emperor by Syrian legions	June 8, 218 AD – March 11, 222 AD	March 11, 222 AD Murdered byPraetorian Guard	3 years, 9 months and 3 days
	Severus Alexander CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS SEVERVS ALEXANDERAVGVSTVS	October 1, 208 AD, Arca Caesarea,Syria	Grandson-in-law ofSeptimius Severus, cousin and adoptive heir of Elagabalus	March 13, 222 AD – March 18, 235 AD	March 18, 235 AD Murdered by the army	13 years and 5 days

Crisis of the Third Century and Gordian dynasty[edit]

Main article: Crisis of the Third Century

Portrait	Name	Birth	Succession	Reign	Death	Time in office
	Maximinus I CAESAR GAIVS IVLIVS VERVSMAXIMINVSAVGVSTVS	c.173 AD,Thrace orMoesia	Proclaimed emperor by German legions after the murder ofSeverus Alexander	March 20, 235 AD – June 238 AD	June 238 AD Assassinated byPraetorian Guard	3 years, 3 months
	Gordian I CAESAR MARCVS ANTONIVSGORDIANVSSEMPRONIANVS AFRICANVS AVGVSTVS	c. 159 AD,Phrygia?	Proclaimed emperor, whilst Pro-consul in Africa, during a revolt against Maximinus. Ruled jointly with his son Gordian II, and in opposition to Maximinus. Technically a usurper, but retrospectively legitimised by the accession ofGordian III	March 22, 238 AD – April 12, 238 AD	April 238 AD Committed suicide upon hearing of the death of Gordian II.	21 days
	Gordian II CAESAR MARCVS ANTONIVSGORDIANVSSEMPRONIANVS ROMANVS AFRICANVS AVGVSTVS	c. 192 AD, ?	Proclaimed emperor, alongside father Gordian I, in opposition toMaximinus by act of the Senate.	March 22, 238 AD – April 12, 238 AD	April 238 AD Killed during theBattle of Carthage, fighting a pro-Maximinus army	21 days
	Pupienus CAESAR MARCVS CLODIVS PVPIENVS MAXIMVSAVGVSTVS	c. 178 AD, ?	Proclaimed joint emperor withBalbinus by theSenate in opposition to Maximinus; later co-emperor with Balbinus.	April 22, 238 AD – July 29, 238 AD	July 29, 238 AD Assassinated by thePraetorian Guard	3 months and 7 days
	Balbinus CAESAR DECIMVS CAELIVS CALVINVSBALBINVS PIVS AVGVSTVS	?	Proclaimed joint emperor withPupienus by theSenate after death of Gordian I and II, in opposition toMaximinus; later co-emperor with Pupienus andGordian III	April 22, 238 AD – July 29, 238 AD	July 29, 238 AD Assassinated byPraetorian Guard	3 months and 7 days
	Gordian III CAESAR MARCVS ANTONIVSGORDIANVSAVGVSTVS	January 20, 225 AD,Rome	Proclaimed emperor by supporters ofGordian I and II, then by the Senate; joint emperor withPupienus andBalbinus until July 238 AD.	April 22, 238 AD – February 11, 244 AD	February 11, 244 AD Unknown; possibly murdered on orders of Philip I	5 years, 9 months and 20 days
	Philip I CAESAR MARCVS IVLIVS PHILIPPVSAVGVSTVS with Philip II	c. 204 AD,Shahba,Syria	Praetorian Prefect toGordian III, took power after his death; made his sonPhilip II co-emperor in summer 247 AD	February 244 AD – September/October 249 AD	September/October 249 AD Killed in battle againstTrajan Decius, nearVerona	5 years
	Trajan Decius CAESAR GAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVSTRAIANVS DECIVSAVGVSTVS with Herennius Etruscus	c. 201 AD,Budalia,Pannonia Inferior	Governor underPhilip I; proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions and defeated Philip in battle; made his son Herennius Etruscus co-emperor in early 251 AD	September/ October 249 AD – June 251 AD	June 251 AD Both killed in theBattle of Abrittusfighting against theGoths	2 years
	Hostilian CAESAR CAIVS VALENSHOSTILIANVSMESSIVS QVINTVS AVGVSTVS	Sirmium	Son of Trajan Decius, accepted as heir by the Senate	June 251 AD – late 251 AD	September/October 251 AD Natural causes (plague)	4–5 months
	Trebonianus Gallus CAESAR GAIVS VIBIVSTREBONIANVS GALLVS AVGVSTVS with Volusianus	206 AD,Italia	Governor of Moesia Superior, proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions after Trajan Decius's death (and in opposition toHostilian); made his son Volusianus co-emperor in late 251 AD.	June 251 AD – August 253 AD	August 253 AD Assassinated by their own troops, in favour of Aemilian	2 years
	Aemilian CAESAR MARCVS AEMILIVSAEMILIANVSAVGVSTVS	c. 207 ADAfrica	Governor of Moesia Superior, proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions after defeating theGoths; accepted as emperor after death of Gallus	August 253 AD – October 253 AD	September/October 253 AD Assassinated by his own troops, in favour of Valerian	2 months
	Valerian CAESAR PVBLIVS LICINIVSVALERIANVSAVGVSTVS	c. 195 AD	Governor ofNoricum and Raetia, proclaimed emperor by Rhine legions after death ofGallus; accepted as emperor after death of Aemilian	October 253 AD – 260 AD	After 260 AD Captured in Battle of Edessa againstPersians, died in captivity	7 years
	Gallienus CAESAR PVBLIVS LICINIVS EGNATIVSGALLIENVSAVGVSTVS with Saloninus	218 AD	Son of Valerian, made co-emperor in 253 AD; his sonSaloninus is very briefly co-emperor in c. July 260 before assassination byPostumus.	October 253 AD – September 268 AD	September 268 AD Murdered at Aquileiaby his own commanders.	15 years
	Claudius Gothicus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVSCLAVDIVSAVGVSTVS	May 10, 213 AD/214 AD,Sirmium	Victorious general atBattle of Naissus, seized power afterGallienus's death	September 268 AD – January 270 AD	January 270 AD Natural causes (plague)	1 year, 4 months
	Quintillus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CLAVDIVSQVINTILLVSAVGVSTVS	?, Sirmium	Brother of Claudius Gothicus, seized power after his death	January 270 AD – 270 AD	270 AD Unclear; possibly suicide or murder	Unknown
	Aurelian CAESAR LVCIVS DOMITIVSAVRELIANVSAVGVSTVS	September 9, 214 AD/215 AD,Sirmium	Proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions after Claudius II's death, in opposition to Quintillus	September(?) 270 AD – September 275 AD	September 275 AD Assassinated byPraetorian Guard	5 years
	Tacitus CAESAR MARCVS CLAVDIVS TACITVSAVGVSTVS	c. 200,Interamna Nahars, Italia	Elected by theSenate to replaceAurelian, after a short interregnum	September 25, 275 AD – June 276 AD	June 276 AD Natural causes (possibly assassinated)	9 months
	Florian CAESAR MARCVS ANNIVSFLORIANVSAVGVSTVS	?	Brother of Tacitus, elected by the army in the west to replace him	June 276 AD – September? 276 AD	September? 276 AD Assassinated by his own troops, in favour of Probus	3 months
	Probus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS PROBVSAVGVSTVS	232 AD,Sirmium	Governor of the eastern provinces, proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions in opposition toFlorian	September? 276 AD – September/ October 282 AD	September/ October 282 AD Assassinated by his own troops, in favour of Carus	6 years
	Carus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CARVSAVGVSTVS	c. 230 AD,Narbo, Gallia Narbonensis	Praetorian Prefect toProbus; seized power either before or after Probus was murdered	September/ October 282 AD – late July/ early August 283 AD	Late July/early August 283 AD Natural causes? (Possibly killed by lightning)	10–11 months
	Numerian CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS NVMERIVSNVMERIANVSAVGVSTVS	?	Son of Carus, succeeded him jointly with his brother Carinus	Late July/early August 283 AD – 284 AD?	284 AD Unclear; possibly assassinated	1 year
	Carinus CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVSCARINVSAVGVSTVS	?	Son of Carus, succeeded him jointly with his brother Numerian	Late July/early August 283 AD – 285 AD	285 AD Died in battle againstDiocletian?	2 years

The Dominate[edit]

Main article: Dominate

Tetrarchy and Constantinian dynasty[edit]

Main articles: Tetrarchy and Constantinian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Birth	Succession	Reign	Death	Time in office
	Diocletian CAESAR GAIVS AVRELIVS VALERIVSDIOCLETIANVSAVGVSTVS	c. December 22, 244 AD,Salona	Proclaimed emperor by army after death ofNumerian, and in opposition to Carinus; adopted Maximian as senior co-emperor in 286 AD	November 20, 284 AD – May 1, 305 AD	3 December 311 AD Abdicated; died of natural causes inAspalatos	20 years, 5 months and 11 days
	Maximian CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS VALERIVSMAXIMIANVSAVGVSTVS	c. 250 AD, nearSirmium,Pannonia	Adopted as senior co-emperor ('Augustus') in the west by Diocletianin 286 AD	April 1, 286 AD – May 1, 305 AD	310 AD Abdicated withDiocletian; twice tried to regain throne with, and then fromMaxentius; captured byConstantine I and committed suicide at his behest	19 years and 1 month
	Constantius I CAESAR GAIVS FLAVIVS VALERIVSCONSTANTIVSAVGVSTVS	March 31 c. 250 AD,Dardania,Moesia	Adopted as junior co-emperor ('Caesar') and heir by Maximian in 293 AD	May 1, 305 AD – July 25, 306 AD	306 AD Natural causes	1 year, 2 months and 24 days
	Galerius CAESAR GALERIVSVALERIVS MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS	c. 260 AD,Felix Romuliana,Moesia Superior	Adopted as junior co-emperor ('Caesar') and heir by Diocletian in 293 AD. Also son-in-law of Diocletian.	May 1, 305 AD – May 311 AD	311 AD Natural causes	6 years
	Severus II FLAVIVS VALERIVS SEVERVS AVGVSTVS	?	Adopted as junior co-emperor ('Caesar') and heir by Constantius I Chlorus in 305 AD; succeeded as Augustus in 306; opposed by Maxentiusand Constantine I	Summer 306 AD – March/ April 307 AD	September 16, 307 AD Captured byMaxentius and forced to commit suicide (or murdered)	1 year
	Constantine I CAESAR FLAVIVS VALERIVS AVRELIVSCONSTANTINVSAVGVSTVS	February 27 c. 272 AD,Naissus,Moesia Superior	Son of Constantius I Chlorus, proclaimed emperor by his father's troops; accepted as Caesar (west) by Galerius in 306 AD; promoted to Augustus (west) in 307 AD by Maximian after death ofSeverus II; refused relegation to Caesar in 309 AD	July 25, 306 AD – May 22, 337 AD	May 22, 337 AD Natural causes	30 years, 9 months and 27 days
	Maxentius MARCVS AVRELIVS VALERIVSMAXENTIVSAVGVSTVS	c. 278 AD, ?	Son of Maximian, seized power in 306 after death ofConstantius I Chlorus, in opposition toSeverus andConstantine I; made Caesar (west) by Maximian in 307 AD after the death of Severus	October 28, 306 AD – October 28, 312 AD	October 28, 312 AD Died at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, againstConstantine I	6 years
	Maximinus II CAESAR GALERIVS VALERIVSMAXIMINVSAVGVSTVS	November 20 c. 270 AD,Dacia Aureliana	Nephew of Galerius, adopted as Caesar and his heir in 305 AD; succeeded as Augustus (shared with Licinius I) in 311 AD	May 1, 311 AD – July/August 313 AD	July/August 313 AD Defeated in civil war againstLicinius I; probably committed suicide thereafter	2 years
	Licinius I CAESAR GAIVS VALERIVS LICINIVSAVGVSTVS with Valerius Valens Martinian	c. 250 AD,Felix Romuliana,Moesia Superior	Son-in-law of Constantius Chlorus, appointed Augustus in the west by Galerius in 308 AD, in opposition to Maxentius; became Augustus in the east in 311 AD after the death of Galerius (shared withMaximinus II); defeated Maximinus in civil war to become sole eastern Augustus in 313 AD; appointed Valerius Valens in 317 AD, andMartinian in 324 AD as western Augustus, in opposition to Constantine, both being executed within weeks.	November 11, 308 AD – September 18, 324 AD	325 AD Defeated in civil war againstConstantine I in 324 AD and captured; executed on the orders of Constantine the next year	15 years, 10 months and 7 days
	Constantine II CAESAR FLAVIVS CLAVDIVSCONSTANTINVSAVGVSTVS	316 AD,Arelate, Gallia Narbonensis	Son of Constantine I; appointed Caesar in 317 AD, succeeded as joint Augustus with his brothers Constantius IIand Constans I	May 22, 337 AD – 340 AD	340 AD Died in battle against Constans I	3 years
	Constantius II CAESAR FLAVIVS IVLIVS CONSTANTIVSAVGVSTVS	August 7, 317 AD, Sirmium,Pannonia	Son of Constantine I; succeeded as joint Augustus with his brothers Constantine IIand Constans I; sole emperor from 350 AD	May 22, 337 AD – November 3, 361 AD	361 AD Natural causes	24 years, 5 months and 12 days
	Constans I CAESAR FLAVIVS IVLIVS CONSTANSAVGVSTVS	320 AD, ?	Son of Constantine I; succeeded as joint Augustus with his brothers Constantine IIand Constantius II	May 22, 337 AD – 350 AD	350 AD Assassinated on the orders of the usurperMagnentius	13 years
	Vetranio	?, Moesia	General of Constans I, proclaimed Caesar against Magnentiusand temporarily accepted as Augustus of the west byConstantius II.	March 1, 350 – December 25, 350 AD	c. 356 As a private citizen, after abdication.	9 months and 24 days
	Julian II CAESAR FLAVIVS CLAVDIVS IVLIANVSAVGVSTVS	331 AD/332 AD,Constantinople,Thracia	Cousin of Constantius II; made Caesar of the west in 355 AD; proclaimed Augustus by his troops in 360; sole emperor after the death of Constantius	February 360 AD – June 26, 363 AD	June 26, 363 AD Mortally wounded in battle	3 years
	Jovian CAESAR FLAVIVSIOVIANVS AVGVSTVS	331 AD,Singidunum,Moesia	General of Julian's army; proclaimed emperor by the troops on Julian's death	June 26, 363 AD – February 17, 364 AD	February 17, 364 AD Natural causes (suffocated on fumes)	7 months and 22 days

Valentinian dynasty[edit]

Main article: Valentinian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Birth	Succession	Reign	Death	Time in office
	Valentinian I FLAVIVSVALENTINIANVSAVGVSTVS	321 AD,Cibalae,Pannonia	Elected to replace Jovianby the army	February 26, 364 AD – November 17, 375 AD	November 17, 375 AD Natural causes	11 years, 8 months and 22 days
	Valens FLAVIVS IVLIVSVALENS AVGVSTVS	328 AD,Cibalae,Pannonia	Brother of Valentinian I, appointed co-augustus (for the east) by him	March 28, 364 AD – August 9, 378 AD	August 9, 378 AD Killed in Battle of Adrianople against the Goths	14 years, 4 months and 12 days
	Gratian FLAVIVS GRATIANVSAVGVSTVS	April 18/May 23, 359 AD,Sirmium,Pannonia	Son of Valentinian I, appointed 'junior' Augustus by him in 367, became 'senior' augustus (for the west) after Valentinian's death.	August 4, 367 AD – August 25, 383 AD	August 25, 383 AD Murdered by rebellious army faction	16 years and 21 days
	Valentinian II FLAVIVSVALENTINIANVSINVICTVS AVGVSTVS	371 AD,Milan, Italia	Son of Valentinian I, proclaimed emperor by Pannonian army after Valentinian's death; accepted as co-Augustus for the west by Gratian	November 17, 375 AD – May 15, 392 AD	May 15, 392 AD Unclear; possibly murdered or committed suicide	16 years, 5 months and 28 days

Theodosian dynasty[edit]

Main article: Theodosian dynasty

Portrait	Name	Birth	Succession	Reign	Death	Time in office
	Theodosius I FLAVIVSTHEODOSIVSAVGVSTVS	January 11, 347 AD, Cauca,Hispania	Son-in-law of Valentinian I, appointed as Augustus for the east by Gratianafter the death ofValens; became sole 'senior' Augustus after death of Valentinian II	January 1, 379 AD – January 17, 395 AD	January 17, 395 AD Natural causes	16 years and 16 days
	Arcadius FLAVIVS ARCADIVSAVGVSTVS EAST	c. 377 AD,Hispania	Son of Theodosius I; appointed as 'junior' Augustus for the east by Theodosius in 383; became 'senior' Augustus for the east after his father's death	January 383 AD – May 1, 408 AD	May 1, 408 AD Natural causes	25 years
	Magnus Maximus with Flavius Victor WEST	c. 335 AD,Hispania	Usurper in the West; legitimized along with his son Victor byTheodosius I as emperors of Britanniaand Gaul.	383/384 AD – August 28, 388 AD	August 28, 388 AD Executed byTheodosius I inAquileia after theBattle of the Save; Victor killed byArbogast	4/5 years
	Honorius FLAVIVS HONORIVSAVGVSTVS WEST	September 9, 384 AD, ?	Son of Theodosius I; appointed as 'junior' Augustus for the west by Theodosius in 393 (after the death ofValentinian II); became 'senior' Augustus for the west after his father's death	January 23, 393 AD – August 15, 423 AD	August 15, 423 AD Natural causes	30 years, 6 months and 23 days
	Theodosius II FLAVIVSTHEODOSIVSAVGVSTVS EAST	April 10, 401 AD,Constantinople?	Son of Arcadius; appointed as 'junior' Augustus for the east by Arcadius in 402; became 'senior' Augustus for the east after his father's death	January 402 AD – July 28, 450 AD	July 28, 450 AD Natural causes	48 years
	Constantine III with Constans II WEST	?	Usurper who declared himself emperor in the west in 407, recognized as co-emperor by Honorius in 409. Elevated his sonConstans II to co-emperor in 409, who was not recognized by Honorius.	407/409 AD - August or September 411 AD	August or September 411 AD Executed byConstantius III	2 years
	Constantius III FLAVIVSCONSTANTIVSAVGVSTVS WEST	?, Naissus,Moesia Superior	Married to Theodosius I's daughter Galla Placidia, elevated to co-Augustus for the west by Honorius	February 8, 421 AD – September 2, 421 AD	September 2, 421 AD Natural causes	6 months and 25 days
	Joannes WEST	?	A senior civil servant under Honorius, proclaimed emperor byCastinus; not recognized by the Eastern Empire	August 27, 423 AD – May 425 AD	June or July 425 AD Defeated in battle by Theodosius IIand Valentinian III, captured and executed	2 years
	Valentinian III FLAVIVS PLACIDIVSVALENTINIANVSAVGVSTVS WEST	July 2, 419 AD,Ravenna, Italia	Son of Constantius III, appointed Caesar for the west byTheodosius II after the death of Honorius, in opposition to theJohannes; became Augustus for the west after the defeat of Johannes	October 23, 424 AD – March 16, 455 AD	March 16, 455 AD Assassinated, possibly at the behest of Petronius Maximus	30 years, 3 months and 24 days
	Marcian FLAVIVS MARCIANVSAVGVSTVS EAST	396, Thrace orIllyria	Nominated as successor (and husband) by Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius II	Summer 450 AD – January 457 AD	January 457 AD Natural causes	7 years

The last emperors of the Western Empire[edit]

Main article: Western Roman Empire

Portrait	Name	Birth	Succession	Reign	Death	Time in office
	Petronius Maximus FLAVIVS ANICIVSPETRONIVS MAXIMVSAVGVSTVS	c. 396 AD, ?	Son-in-law of Theodosius II, proclaimed himself emperor with the support of the army, after the death of Valentinian III. Not recognized by the Eastern Empire.	March 17, 455 AD – May 31, 455 AD	May 31, 455 AD Murdered, probably stoned to death by the Roman mob	2 months and 14 days
	Avitus EPARCHIVS AVITVSAVGVSTVS	c. 385 AD, ?	Magister militum underPetronius Maximus, proclaimed emperor by the Visigoth kingTheoderic II after Petronius's death	July 9, 455 AD – October 17, 456 AD	after 17 October 456 AD Deposed by hisMagister militum,Ricimer; became bishop of Placentia; murdered at some point afterwards	1 year, 3 months and 8 days
	Majorian IVLIVS VALERIVSMAIORIANVSAVGVSTVS	November 420 AD, ?	Appointed emperor byRicimer	April 457 AD – August 2, 461 AD	August 7, 461 AD Deposed by his troops (probably at the behest ofRicimer); beheaded on the orders of Ricimer	4 years
	Libius Severus LIBIVS SEVERVS AVGVSTVS	?, Lucania,Italia	Appointed emperor byRicimer. Not recognized by the Eastern Empire.	November 461 AD – August 465 AD	August 465 AD Probably poisoned by Ricimer	4 years
	Anthemius PROCOPIVSANTHEMIVSAVGVSTVS	c. 420 AD	Son-in-law of Marcian, appointed emperor byRicimer, with the backing of the eastern emperorLeo I	April 12, 467 AD – July 11, 472 AD	July 11, 472 AD Executed by Ricimer	5 years, 2 months and 29 days
	Olybrius FLAVIVS ANICIVSOLYBRIVSAVGVSTVS	c. 420 AD	Son-in-law of Valentinian III; appointed emperor byRicimer. Not recognized by the Eastern Empire.	July 11, 472 AD – November 2, 472 AD	November 2, 472 AD Natural causes	3 months and 22 days
	Glycerius FLAVIVS GLYCERIVSAVGVSTVS	?	Appointed emperor byGundobad (Ricimer's successor). Not recognized by the Eastern Empire.	March 473 AD – June 474 AD	after 480 AD Deposed by Julius Nepos, became Bishop of Salona, time and manner of death unknown	1 year
	Julius Nepos FLAVIVS IVLIVS NEPOS AVGVSTVS	c. 430 AD	Nephew-in-law of the eastern emperor Leo I, appointed emperor in opposition to Glycerius	June 474 AD – August 28, 475 AD (in Italy); – spring 480 AD (in Gaul and Dalmatia)	480 AD Deposed in Italy byFlavius Orestes, ruled in balance of Western Empire until assassination in 480. Maintained as figurehead in Italy by Odoacer to his death in 480.	1 year/6 years
	Romulus Augustulus ROMVLVS AVGVSTVS	c. 460 AD, ?[12]	Appointed by his father,Flavius Orestes. Not recognized by the Eastern Empire.	October 31, 475 AD – September 4, 476 AD (in Italy)	Unknown. Regarded as emperor more from historical convention than accuracy, his rule never extended beyond portions of the Italian peninsula and was not recognized by Eastern Emperor Zeno. Deposed byOdoacer, who then ruled in the name ofJulius Nepos until the latter's death in 480, which formally ended the separate western empire; most likely lived out his life on a private villa in obscurity.	10 months and 4 days

Eastern emperors[edit]

Main articles: Eastern Roman Empire and List of Byzantine Emperors

Leonid dynasty (457–518)[edit]

See also: Leonid dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Leo I "the Thracian", "the Butcher", or "the Great" (Flavius Valerius Leo)	7 February 457 – 18 January 474	Born in Dacia ca. 400, and of Thracian Bessian origin, Leo became a low-ranking officer and served as an attendant of the Gothic commander-in-chief of the army, Aspar, who chose him as emperor on Marcian's death. He was the first emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople. His reign was marked by the pacification of the Danube frontier and peace with Persia, which allowed him to intervene in the affairs of the western empire, supporting candidates for the throne and dispatching an expedition to recover Carthage from the Vandalsin 468. Initially a puppet of Aspar, Leo began promoting the Isaurians as a counterweight to Aspar's Goths, marrying his daughter Ariadne to the Isaurian leader Tarasicodissa (Zeno). With their support, in 471 Aspar was murdered and Gothic power over the army was broken.[13]
	Leo II "the Little" (Flavius Leo)	18 January – 17 November 474	Born ca. 467, he was the grandson of Leo I by Leo's daughter Ariadne and her Isaurian husband, Zeno. Raised to Caesar and then co-emperor in autumn 473, soon after his accession Leo II crowned his father Zeno as co-emperor and effective regent. Died shortly after, possibly poisoned.[14]
	Zeno (Flavius Zeno)	17 November 474 – 9 April 491	Born ca. 425 in Isauria, originally named Tarasicodissa. As the leader of Leo I's Isaurian soldiers, he rose to comes domesticorum, married the emperor's daughter Ariadne and took the name Zeno, and played a crucial role in the elimination of Aspar and his Goths. He was named co-emperor by his son on 9 February 474, and became sole ruler upon the latter's death, but had to flee to his native country before Basiliscus in 475, regaining control of the capital in 476. Zeno concluded peace with the Vandals, saw off challenges against him by Illusand Verina, and secured peace in the Balkans by enticing the Ostrogoths underTheodoric the Great to migrate to Italy. Zeno's reign also saw the end of thewestern line of emperors. His pro-Monophysite stance made him unpopular and his promulgation of the Henotikon resulted in the Acacian Schism with the papacy.[15]
	Basiliscus ( Flavius Basiliscus)	9 January 475 – August 476	General and brother-in-law of Leo I, he seized power from Zeno but was again deposed by him. Died in 476/477
	Anastasius I (Flavius Anastasius)	11 April 491 – 9 July 518	Son-in-law of Leo I, born ca. 430 at Dyrrhachium and of Illyrian origin, he was a palace official (silentiarius) when he was chosen as her husband and Emperor by Empress-dowager Ariadne. He was nicknamed "Dikoros", because of hisheterochromia. Anastasius reformed the tax system and the Byzantine coinageand proved a frugal ruler, so that by the end of his reign he left a substantial surplus. His Monophysite sympathies led to wideaspread opposition, most notably the Revolt of Vitalian and the Acacian Schism. His reign was also marked by the first Bulgar raids into the Balkans and by a war with Persia over the foundation of Dara. He died childless.[16]

Justinian dynasty (518–602)[edit]

See also: Justinian dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Justin I (Flavius Iustinus)	July 518 – 1 August 527	Born c. 450 at Bederiana (Justiniana Prima), Dardania to Thraco-Illyrian parents. Officer and commander of the Excubitors bodyguard under Anastasius I, he was elected by army and people upon the death of Anastasius I.
	Justinian I "the Great" (Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus)	1 August 527 – 13/14 November 565	Born in 482/483 at Tauresium (Taor), Dardania. Nephew of Justin I, possibly raised to co-emperor on 1 April 527. Succeeded on Justin I's death.
	Justin II (Flavius Iustinus Iunior)	14 November 565 – 5 October 578	Born c. 520. Nephew of Justinian I, he seized the throne on the death of Justinian I with support of army and Senate. Became insane, hence in 573–574 under the regency of his wife Sophia, and in 574–578 under the regency of Tiberius Constantine.
	Tiberius II Constantine (Flavius Tiberius Constantinus)	5 October 578 – 14 August 582	Born c. 535, commander of the Excubitors, friend and adoptive son of Justin. Was named Caesar and regent in 574. Succeeded on Justin II's death.
	Maurice (Flavius Mauricius Tiberius)	14 August 582 – 22 November 602	Born in 539 at Arabissus, Cappadocia. Became an official and later a general. Married the daughter of Tiberius II and succeeded him upon his death. Named his son Theodosius as co-emperor in 590. Deposed by Phocas and executed on 27 November 602 at Chalcedon.

Non-dynastic (602–610)[edit]

Name		Reign	Comments
	Phocas (Φωκᾶς, Flavius Phocas)	23 November 602 – 4 October 610	Subaltern in the Balkan army, he led a rebellion that deposed Maurice. Increasingly unpopular and tyrannical, he was deposed and executed by Heraclius.

Heraclian dynasty (610–695)[edit]

See also: Heraclian dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Heraclius (Ἡράκλειος, Flavius Heraclius)	5 October 610 – 11 February 641	Born c. 575 as the eldest son of the Exarch of Africa, Heraclius the Elder. Began a revolt against Phocas in 609 and deposed him in October 610. Brought theByzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628 to successful conclusion but was unable to stop the Muslim conquest of Syria. Officially replaced Latin with Greek as the language of administration.
	Constantine III formally Heraclius New Constantine (Ἡράκλειος νέος Κωνσταντῖνος, Heraclius Novus Constantinus)	11 February – 24/26 May 641	Born on 3 May 612 as the eldest son of Heraclius by his first wife Fabia Eudokia. Named co-emperor in 613, he succeeded to throne with his younger brother Heraklonas following the death of Heraclius. Died of tuberculosis, allegedly poisoned by Empress-dowager Martina.
	Heraklonas (Ἡρακλωνᾶς,Heraclianus) formally Constantine Heraclius (Κωνσταντίνος Ἡράκλειος,Constantinus Heraclius)	11 February 641 – September 641	Born in 626 to Heraclius' second wife Martina, named co-emperor in 638. Succeeded to throne with Constantine III following the death of Heraclius. Sole emperor after the death of Constantine III, under the regency of Martina, but was forced to name Constans II co-emperor by the army, and was deposed by theSenate in September 641.
	Constans II (Κῶνστας Β',Constantus II) formally Constantine "the Bearded", (Κωνσταντίνος ὁ Πωγωνάτος)	September 641 – 15 September 668	Born on 7 November 630, the son of Constantine III. Raised to co-emperor in summer 641 after his father's death due to army pressure, he became sole emperor after the forced abdication of his uncle Heraklonas. Baptized Heraclius, he reigned as Constantine. "Constans" is his nickname. Moved his seat toSyracuse, where he was assassinated, possibly on the orders of Mezezius.
	Constantine IV "the Bearded" (Κωνσταντίνος Δ' ὁ Πωγωνάτος)	15 September 668 – September 685	Born in 652, he succeeded following the murder of his father Constans II. Erroneously called "Constantine the Bearded" by historians through confusion with his father. He repelled the First Arab Siege of Constantinople, and died of dysentery.
	Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" (Ἰουστινιανὸς Β' ὁ Ῥινότμητος)	September 685 – 695	Born in 669, he was named co-emperor in 681 and became sole emperor upon Constantine IV's death. Deposed by military revolt in 695, mutilated (hence his surname) and exiled to Cherson, whence he recovered his throne in 705.

Twenty Years' Anarchy (695–717)[edit]

Main article: Twenty Years' Anarchy

Name		Reign	Comments
	Leontios (Λεόντιος)	695–698	General from Isauria, he deposed Justinian II and was overthrown in another revolt in 698. He was executed in February 706.
	Tiberius III Apsimar (Τιβέριος Γ' Ἀψίμαρος)	698–705	Admiral of Germanic origin, originally named Apsimar. He rebelled against Leontios after a failed expedition. Reigned under the name of Tiberius until deposed by Justinian II in 705. Executed in February 706.
	Justinian II "the Slit-nosed" (Ἰουστινιανὸς Β' ὁ Ῥινότμητος)	August 705 – December 711	Returned on the throne with Bulgar support. Named son Tiberius as co-emperor in 706. Deposed and killed by military revolt.
	Philippikos Bardanes (Φιλιππικὸς Βαρδάνης)	December 711 – 3 June 713	A general of Armenian origin, he deposed Justinian II and was in turn overthrown by a revolt of the Opsician troops.
	Anastasios II (Ἀναστάσιος Β')	June 713 – November 715	Originally named Artemios. A bureaucrat and secretary under Philippikos, he was raised to the purple by the soldiers who overthrew Philippikos. Deposed by another military revolt, he led an abortive attempt to regain the throne in 718 and was killed.
	Theodosios III (Θεοδόσιος Γ')	May 715 – 25 March 717	A fiscal official, he was proclaimed emperor by the rebellious Opsician troops. Entered Constantinople in November 715. Abdicated following the revolt of Leo the Isaurian and became a monk.

Isaurian dynasty (717–802)[edit]

See also: Isaurian dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Leo III "the Isaurian" (Λέων Γ΄ ὁ Ἴσαυρος)	25 March 717 – 18 June 741	Born c. 685 in Germanikeia, Commagene, he became a general. Rose in rebellion and secured the throne in spring 717. Repelled the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople and initiated the Byzantine Iconoclasm.
	Constantine V "the Dung-named" (Κωνσταντίνος Ε΄ ὁ Κοπρώνυμος)	18 June 741 – 14 September 775	Born in July 718, the only son of Leo III. Co-emperor since 720, he succeeded upon his father's death. After overcoming the usurpation of Artabasdos, he continued his father's iconoclastic policies and won several victories against the Arabs and the Bulgars. He is given the surname "the Dung-named" by hostile later chroniclers.
	Artabasdos (Ἀρτάβασδος)	June 741/742 – 2 November 743	General and son-in-law of Leo III, Count of the Opsician Theme. Led a revolt that secured Constantinople, but was defeated and deposed by Constantine V, who blinded and tonsured him.
	Leo IV "the Khazar" (Λέων Δ΄ ὁ Χάζαρος)	14 September 775 – 8 September 780	Born on 25 January 750 as the eldest son of Constantine V. Co-emperor since 751, he succeeded upon his father's death.
	Constantine VI (Κωνσταντίνος ΣΤ΄)	8 September 780 – August 797	Born in 771, the only child of Leo IV. Co-emperor in 776, sole emperor upon Leo's death in 780, until 790 under the regency of his mother, Irene of Athens. He was overthrown on Irene's orders, blinded and imprisoned, probably dying of his wounds shortly after.
	Irene of Athens (Εἰρήνη ἡ Αθηναία)	August 797 – 31 October 802	Born c. 752 in Athens, she married Leo IV. Regent for her son Constantine VI in 780–790, she overthrew him in 797 and became empress-regnant. Deposed in a palace coup in 802, she was exiled and died on 9 August 803.

Nikephorian dynasty (802–813)[edit]

Main article: Nikephorian dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Nikephoros I "the Logothete" (Νικηφόρος Α΄ ὁ Λογοθέτης)	31 October 802 – 26 July 811	General Logothete (finance minister) under Irene, led initially successful campaigns against the Bulgars but was killed at the Battle of Pliska.
	Staurakios (Σταυράκιος)	26 July 811 – 2 October 811	Only son of Nikephoros I, crowned co-emperor in December 803. Succeeded on his father's death; however, he had been heavily wounded at Pliska and left paralyzed. He was forced to resign, and retired to a monastery where he died soon after.
	Michael I Rangabe (Μιχαὴλ Α΄ Ραγγαβὲ)	2 October 811 – 22 June 813	Son-in-law of Nikephoros I, he succeeded Staurakios on his abdication. Resigned after the revolt under Leo the Armenian and retired to a monastery, where he died on 11 January 844. Reigned with eldest son Theophylact as co-emperor.

Non-dynastic (813–820)[edit]

Name		Reign	Comments
	Leo V "the Armenian" (Λέων Ε' ὁ Ἀρμένιος)	11 July 813 – 25 December 820	General of Armenian origin, born c. 775. He rebelled against Michael I and became emperor. Appointed his son Symbatios co-emperor under the name of Constantine on Christmas 813. Revived Byzantine Iconoclasm. Murdered by a conspiracy led by Michael the Amorian.

Amorian dynasty (820–867)[edit]

See also: Byzantium under the Amorian dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Michael II "the Amorian" (Μιχαὴλ Β΄ ὁ ἐξ Ἀμορίου)	25 December 820 – 2 October 829	Born in 770 at Amorium, he became an army officer. A friend of Leo V, he was raised to high office but led the conspiracy that murdered him. Survived the rebellion of Thomas the Slav, lost Crete to the Arabs and faced the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Sicily, reinforced iconoclasm.
	Theophilos (Θεόφιλος)	2 October 829 – 20 January 842	Born in 813, as the only son of Michael II. Co-emperor since 821, he succeeded on his father's death.
	Michael III "the Drunkard" (Μιχαὴλ Γ΄ ὁ Μέθυσος)	20 January 842 – 23 September 867	Born on 19 January 840, he succeeded on Theophilos' death. Under the regency of his mother Theodora until 856, and under the effective control of his uncle Bardas in 862–866. Ended iconoclasm. Murdered by Basil the Macedonian. A pleasure-loving ruler, he was nicknamed "the Drunkard" by later, pro-Basil chroniclers .

Macedonian dynasty (867–1056)[edit]

See also: Macedonian dynasty and Byzantine Empire under the Macedonian dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Basil I "the Macedonian" (Βασίλειος Α΄ ὁ Μακεδών)	867 – 2 August 886	Born in the Theme of Macedonia ca. 811, he rose in prominence through palace service, becoming a favourite of Michael III. He overthrew Michael and established the Macedonian dynasty. He led successful wars in the East against the Arabs and the Paulicians, and recovered southern Italy for the Empire.
	Leo VI "the Wise" (Λέων ΣΤ΄ ὁ Σοφὸς)	886 – 11 May 912	Born on 19 September 866, likely either son of Basil I or Michael III, Leo was known for his erudition. His reign saw a height in Saracen (Muslim) naval raids, culminating in the Sack of Thessalonica, and was marked by unsuccessful wars against the Bulgarians under Simeon I.
	Alexander (Ἀλέξανδρος)	11 May 912 – 6 June 913	Son of Basil I, Alexander was born in 870 and raised to co-emperor in 879. Sidelined by Leo VI, Alexander dismissed his brother's principal aides on his accession. He died of exhaustion after a polo game.
	Constantine VII "the Purple-born" (Κωνσταντίνος Ζ΄ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)	6 June 913 – 9 November 959	The son of Leo VI, he was born on 17/18 May 905 and raised to co-emperor on 15 May 908. His early reign was dominated by successive regencies, first by his mother, Zoe Karbonopsina, and Patriarch Nicholas Mystikos, and from 919 by the admiral Romanos Lekapenos, who wedded his daughter to Constantine and was crowned senior emperor in 920. Constantine was sidelined during the Lekapenos regime, but asserted his control by deposing Romanos's sons in early 945. His reign was marked by struggles with Sayf al-Dawla in the East and an unsuccessful campaign against Crete, and pro-aristocratic policies that saw a partial reversal of Lekapenos' legislation against the dynatoi. He is notable for his promotion of the "Macedonian Renaissance", sponsoring encyclopaedic works and histories. He was a prolific writer himself, best remembered for the manuals on statecraft (De administrando imperio) and ceremonies (De ceremoniis) he compiled for his son, Romanos II.[17]
	Romanos I Lekapenos (Ρωμανὸς Α΄ Λεκαπηνὸς)	17 December 920 – 16 December 944	An admiral of lowly origin, Romanos rose to power as a protector of the young Constantine VII against the general Leo Phokas the Elder. After becoming the emperor's father-in-law, he successively assumed higher offices until he crowned himself senior emperor. His reign was marked by the end of warfare with Bulgaria and the great conquests of John Kourkouas in the East. Romanos promoted his sons Christopher, Stephen and Constantine as co-emperors over Constantine VII, but was himself overthrown by the latter two and confined to an island as a monk. He died there on 15 June 948.
	Romanos II "the Purple-born" (Ρωμανὸς Β΄ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)	9 November 959 – 15 March 963	The only surviving son of Constantine VII, he was born on 15 March 938 and succeeded his father on the latter's death. He ruled until his own death, although the government was led mostly by the eunuch Joseph Bringas. His reign was marked by successful warfare in the East against Sayf al-Dawla and the recovery of Crete by general Nikephoros Phokas.
	Nikephoros II Phokas (Νικηφόρος Β΄ Φωκᾶς)	16 August 963 – 11 December 969	The most successful general of his generation, Nikephoros II was born ca. 912 to the powerful Phokas clan. After the death of Romanos II, he rose to the throne with the support of the army and people as regent for the young emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII, marrying the empress-dowager Theophano. Throughout his reign he led campaigns in the East, conquering much of Syria. He was murdered by his nephew and one-time associate John Tzimiskes.
	John I Tzimiskes (Ἰωάννης Α΄ Κουρκούας ὁ Τσιμισκὴς)	11 December 969 – 10 January 976	Nephew of Nikephoros Phokas, Tzimiskes was born ca. 925. A successful general, he fell out with his uncle and led a conspiracy of disgruntled generals who murdered him. Tzimiskes succeeded Nikephoros as emperor and regent for the young sons of Romanos II. As ruler, Tzimiskes crushed the Rus' in Bulgaria and ended the Bulgarian tsardom before going on to campaign in the East, where he died.
	Basil II "the Bulgar-Slayer" (Βασίλειος Β΄ ὁ Βουλγαροκτόνος)	10 January 976 – 15 December 1025	Eldest son of Romanos II, Basil was born in 958. The first decade of his reign was marked by rivalry with the powerful Basil Lekapenos, an unsuccessful war against Bulgaria, and rebellions by generals in Asia Minor. Basil solidified his position through a marriage alliance with Vladimir I of Kiev, and after suppressing the revolts, he embarked on his conquest of Bulgaria. Bulgaria was finally subdued in 1018 after over 20 years of war, interrupted only by sporadic warfare in Syria against the Fatimids. Basil also expanded Byzantine control over most of Armenia. His reign is widely considered as the apogee of medieval Byzantium.
	Constantine VIII "the Purple-born" (Κωνσταντίνος Η΄ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)	15 December 1025 – 15 November 1028	The second son of Romanos II, Constantine was born in 960 and raised to co-emperor in March 962. During the rule of Basil II, he spent his time in idle pleasure. During his short reign he was an indifferent ruler, easily influenced by his courtiers and suspicious of plots to depose him, especially among the military aristocracy, many of whom were blinded and exiled. On his deathbed, he chose Romanos Argyros as husband for his daughter Zoe.[18]
	Zoe "the Purple-born" (Ζωὴ Πορφυρογέννητη)	15 November 1028 – June 1050	The daughter of Constantine VIII, she succeeded on her father's death, as the only surviving member of the Macedonian dynasty, along with her sister Theodora. Her three husbands, Romanos III (1028–1034), Michael IV (1034–1041) and Constantine IX (1042–1050) ruled alongside her.
	Romanos III Argyros (Ρωμανὸς Γ΄ Ἀργυρὸς)	15 November 1028 – 11 April 1034	Born in 968, the elderly aristocrat Romanos was chosen by Constantine VIII on his deathbed as Zoe's husband and succeeded on the throne after Constantine's death a few days later.
	Michael IV "the Paphlagonian" (Μιχαὴλ Δ΄ ὁ Παφλαγὼν)	11 April 1034 – 10 December 1041	Born in 1010, he became a lover of Zoe even while Romanos III was alive, and succeeded him upon his death as her husband and emperor. Aided by his older brother, the eunuch John the Orphanotrophos, his reign was moderately successful against internal rebellions, but his attempt to recover Sicily failed. He died after a long illness.
	Michael V "the Caulker" (Μιχαὴλ Ε΄ ὁ Καλαφάτης)	10 December 1041 – 20 April 1042	Born in 1015, he was the nephew and adopted son of Michael IV. During his reign he tried to sideline Zoe, but a popular revolt forced him to restore her as empress on 19 April 1042, along with her sister Theodora. He was deposed the next day, castrated and tonsured, dying on 24 August 1042.
	Theodora (Θεοδώρα)	19 April 1042 – after 31 August 1056	The younger sister of Zoe, born in 984, she was raised as co-ruler on 19 April 1042. After Zoe married her third husband, Constantine IX, in June 1042, Theodora was again sidelined. After Zoe died in 1050 and Constantine in 1055, Theodora assumed full governance of the Empire and reigned until her death. She nominated Michael VI as her successor.
	Constantine IX Monomachos (Κωνσταντίνος Θ΄ Μονομάχος)	11 June 1042 – 7/8 or 11 January 1055	Born ca. 1000 of noble origin, he had an undistinguished life but was exiled toLesbos by Michael IV, returning when he was chosen as Zoe's third husband. Constantine supported the mercantile classes and favoured the company of intellectuals, thereby alienating the military aristocracy. A pleasure-loving ruler, he lived an extravagant life with his favourite mistresses and endowed a number of monasteries, chiefly the Nea Moni of Chios and the Mangana Monastery. His reign was marked by invasions by the Pechenegs in the Balkans and the Seljuk Turks in the East, the revolts of George Maniakes and Leo Tornikios, and theGreat Schism between the patriarchates of Rome and Constantinople.[19]

Non-dynastic (1056–1057)[edit]

Name		Reign	Comments
	Michael VI Bringas, "Stratiotikos" or "the Old" (Μιχαὴλ ΣΤ΄ Βρίγγας, ὁ Στρατιωτικός, ὁ Γέρων)	September 1056 – 31 August 1057	A court bureaucrat and military logothete (hence his first sobriquet). Deposed by military revolt under Isaac Komnenos, he retired to a monastery where he died in 1059.

Komnenid dynasty (1057–1059)[edit]

See also: Komnenos and Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Isaac I Komnenos (Ἰσαάκιος Α΄ Κομνηνὸς)	5 June 1057 – 22 November 1059	Born c. 1005. A successful general, he rose in revolt leading the eastern armies and was declared Emperor; he was recognized after the abdication of Michael VI on 31 August 1057. He resigned in 1059 and died c. 1061.

Doukid dynasty (1059–1081)[edit]

See also: Doukid dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Constantine X Doukas (Κωνσταντίνος Ι΄ Δούκας)	24 November 1059 – 22 May 1067	Born in 1006, he became a general and close ally of Isaac Komnenos, and succeeded him as emperor on his abdication. Named his sons Michael, Andronikosand Konstantios as co-emperors
	Michael VII Doukas (Μιχαὴλ Ζ΄ Δούκας)	22 May 1067 – 24 March 1078	Born in 1050 as the eldest son of Constantine X. Co-emperor since 1059, he succeeded on his father's death. Due to his minority he was under the regency of his mother, Eudokia Makrembolitissa, in 1067–1068, and relegated to junior emperor under her second husband Romanos IV Diogenes in 1068–1071. Senior emperor in 1071–1078, he named his son Constantine co-emperor alongside his brothers. He abdicated before the revolt of Nikephoros Botaneiates, retired to a monastery and died c. 1090.
	Romanos IV Diogenes (Ρωμανὸς Δ΄ Διογένης)	1 January 1068 – 24 October 1071	Born in 1032, a successful general he married empress-dowager Eudokia Makrembolitissa and became senior emperor as guardian of her sons by Constantine X. Deposed by the Doukas partisans after the Battle of Manzikert, blinded in June 1072 and exiled. He died soon after.
	Nikephoros III Botaneiates (Νικηφόρος Γ΄ Βοτανειάτης)	31 March 1078 – 4 April 1081	Born in 1001, he was the strategos of the Anatolic Theme. He rebelled against Michael VII and was welcomed into the capital. He weathered several revolts, but was overthrown by the Komnenos clan. He retired to a monastery where he died on 10 December of the same year (1081).

Komnenid dynasty (1081–1185)[edit]

See also: Komnenos and Byzantine Empire under the Komnenos dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Alexios I Komnenos (Ἀλέξιος Α' Κομνηνὸς)	4 April 1081 – 15 August 1118	Born in 1056, a nephew of Isaac I Komnenos. A distinguished general, he overthrew Nikephoros III. His reign was dominated by wars against the Normans and theSeljuk Turks, as well as the arrival of the First Crusade and the establishment of independent Crusader states. He retained Constantine Doukas as co-emperor until 1087 and named his eldest son John co-emperor in 1092.
	John II Komnenos (Ἰωάννης Β' Κομνηνὸς)	15 August 1118 – 8 April 1143	Born on 13 September 1087 as the eldest son of Alexios I. Co-emperor since 1092, he succeeded upon his father's death. His reign was focused on wars with the Turks. A popular and frugal ruler, he was known as "John the Good". Named his eldest son Alexios co-emperor in 1122, but he died before him.
	Manuel I Komnenos (Μανουὴλ Α' Κομνηνὸς)	1143 – 24 September 1180	Born on 28 November 1118 as the third and youngest son of John II, he was chosen as emperor over his elder brother Isaac by his father on his deathbed. An energetic ruler, he launched campaigns against the Turks, humbled Hungary, achieved supremacy over the Crusader states, and tried unsuccessfully to recover Italy. His extravagance and constant campaigning, however, depleted the Empire's resources.
	Alexios II Komnenos (Ἀλέξιος B' Κομνηνὸς)	24 September 1180 – October 1183	Born on 14 September 1169 as the only son of Manuel I. In 1180–1182 under the regency of his mother, Maria of Antioch. She was overthrown by Andronikos I Komnenos, who became co-emperor and finally had Alexios II deposed and killed.
	Andronikos I Komnenos (Ἀνδρόνικος Α' Κομνηνὸς)	1183 – 11 September 1185	Born c. 1118, a nephew of John II by his brother Isaac. A general, he was imprisoned for conspiring against John II, but escaped and spent 15 years in exile in various courts in eastern Europe and the Middle East. He seized the regency from Maria of Antioch in 1182 and subsequently throne from his nephew Alexios II. An unpopular ruler, he was overthrown and lynched in a popular uprising.

Angelid dynasty (1185–1204)[edit]

See also: Angelos and Byzantine Empire under the Angelos dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Isaac II Angelos (Ἰσαάκιος Β' Ἄγγελος)	1185–1195	Born in September 1156, Isaac came to the throne at the head of a popular revolt against Andronikos I. His reign was marked by revolts and wars in the Balkans, especially against a resurgent Bulgaria. He was deposed, blinded and imprisoned by his elder brother, Alexios III.
	Alexios III Angelos (Ἀλέξιος Γ' Ἄγγελος)	1195 – 17/18 July 1203	Born in 1153, Alexios was the elder brother of Isaac II. His reign was marked by misgovernment and the increasing autonomy of provincial magnates. He was deposed by the Fourth Crusade and fled Constantinople, roaming Greece and Asia Minor, searching for support to regain his throne. He died in Nicaean captivity in 1211.
	Isaac II Angelos (Ἰσαάκιος Β' Ἄγγελος)	18 July 1203 – 27/28 January 1204	Restored to his throne by the Crusaders, actual rule fell to his son Alexios IV. Due to their failure to deal with the Crusaders' demands, he was deposed by Alexios V Doukas in January 1204 and died on 28 January 1204, perhaps of poison.
	Alexios IV Angelos (Ἀλέξιος Δ' Ἄγγελος)	1 August 1203 – 27/28 January 1204	Born in 1182, the son of Isaac II. He enlisted the Fourth Crusade to return his father to the throne, and reigned alongside his restored father. Due to their failure to deal with the Crusaders' demands, he was deposed by Alexios V Doukas in January 1204, and was strangled on 8 February.
	Alexios V Doukas"Mourtzouphlos" (Ἀλέξιος Ε' Δούκας ὁ Μούρτζουφλος)	5 February 1204 – 13 April 1204	Born in 1140, the son-in-law of Alexios III and a prominent aristocrat, he deposed Isaac II and Alexios IV in a palace coup. He tried to repel the Crusaders, but theycaptured Constantinople forcing Mourtzouphlos to flee. He joined the exiled Alexios III, but was later blinded by the latter. Captured by the Crusaders, he was executed in December 1205.

Laskarid dynasty (Empire of Nicaea, 1204–1261)[edit]

See also: Laskaris and Empire of Nicaea

Name		Reign	Comments
	Theodore I Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Α΄ Λάσκαρις)	1205– December 1221/1222	Born c. 1174, he rose to prominence as a son-in-law of Alexios III. His brotherConstantine Laskaris was elected emperor by the citizens of Constantinople on the day the city fell to the Crusaders; he later fled to Nicaea, where Theodore organized the Greek resistance to the Latins. Proclaimed emperor after Constantine's death in 1205, Theodore was crowned only in 1208. He managed to stop the Latin advance in Asia and to repel Seljuk attacks, establishing the Empire of Nicaea as the strongest of the Greek successor states.
	John III Doukas Vatatzes (Ἰωάννης Γ' Δούκας Βατάτζης)	15 December 1221/1222– 3 November 1254	Born c. 1192, he became the son-in-law and successor of Theodore I in 1212. A capable ruler and soldier, he expanded his state in Bithynia, Thrace and Macedonia at the expense of the Latin Empire, Bulgaria and the rival Greek state of Epirus.
	Theodore II Laskaris (Θεόδωρος Β' Λάσκαρις)	3 November 1254– 18 August 1258	Born in 1221/1222 as the only son of John III, he succeeded on his father's death. His reign was marked by his hostility towards the major houses of the aristocracy, and by his victory against Bulgaria and the subsequent expansion into and Albania.
	John IV Laskaris (Ἰωάννης Δ' Λάσκαρις)	18 August 1258– 25 December 1261	Born on 25 December 1250 as the only son of Theodore II, he succeeded on his father's death. Due to his minority, the regency was exercised at first by George Mouzalon until his assassination, and then by Michael Palaiologos, who within months was crowned senior emperor. After the recovery of Constantinople in August 1261, Palaiologos sidelined John IV completely, had him blinded and imprisoned. John IV died c. 1305.

Palaiologan dynasty (restored to Constantinople, 1261–1453)[edit]

See also: Palaiologos and Byzantine Empire under the Palaiologos dynasty

Name		Reign	Comments
	Michael VIII Palaiologos (Μιχαὴλ Η' Παλαιολόγος)	1 January 1259– 11 December 1282	Born in 1223, great-grandson of Alexios III, grandnephew of John III by marriage. Senior emperor alongside John IV in 1259, sole emperor since 25 December 1261.
	Andronikos II Palaiologos (Ἀνδρόνικος Β' Παλαιολόγος)	11 December 1282– 24 May 1328	Son of Michael VIII, he was born on 25 March 1259. Named co-emperor in September 1261, crowned in 1272, he succeeded as sole emperor on Michael's death. Favouring monks and intellectuals, he neglected the army, and his reign saw the collapse of the Byzantine position in Asia Minor. He named his sonMichael IX co-emperor. In a protracted civil war, he was first forced to recognize his grandson Andronikos III as co-emperor and was then deposed outright. He died on 13 February 1332.
	Andronikos III Palaiologos (Ἀνδρόνικος Γ' Παλαιολόγος)	24 May 1328– 15 June 1341	Son of Michael IX, he was born on 25 March 1297 and named co-emperor in 1316. Rival emperor since July 1321, he deposed his grandfather Andronikos II in 1328 and ruled as sole emperor until his death. Supported by John Kantakouzenos, his reign saw defeats against the Ottoman emirate but successes in Europe, whereEpirus and Thessaly were recovered.
	John V Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος)	15 June 1341– 12 August 1376	Only son of Andronikos III, he had not been crowned co-emperor or declared heir at his father's death, a fact which led to the outbreak of a destructive civil warbetween his regents and his father's closest aide, John VI Kantakouzenos, who was crowned co-emperor. The conflict ended in 1347 with Kantakouzenos recognized as senior emperor, but he was deposed by John V in 1354, duringanother civil war. Matthew Kantakouzenos, raised by John VI to co-emperor, was also deposed in 1357. John V appealed to the West for aid against the Ottomans, but in 1371 he was forced to recognize Ottoman suzerainty. He was deposed in 1376 by his son Andronikos IV.
	John VI Kantakouzenos (Ἰωάννης ΣΤ' Καντακουζηνὸς)	8 February 1347– 4 December 1354	A maternal relative of the Palaiologoi, he was declared co-emperor on 26 October 1341, and was recognized as senior emperor for ten years after the end of the civil war on 8 February 1347. Deposed by John V in 1354, he became a monk, dying on 15 June 1383.
	Andronikos IV Palaiologos (Ἀνδρόνικος Δ΄ Παλαιολόγος)	12 August 1376– 1 July 1379	Son of John V and grandson of John VI, he was born on 2 April 1348 and raised to co-emperor c. 1352. He deposed his father on 12 August 1376 and ruled until overthrown in turn in 1379. He was again recognized as co-emperor in 1381 and given Selymbria as an appanage, dying there on 28 June 1385.
	John V Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος)	1 July 1379– 14 April 1390	Restored to senior emperor, he was reconciled with Andronikos IV in 1381, re-appointing him co-emperor. He was overthrown again in 1390 by his grandson, John VII.
	John VII Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Ζ' Παλαιολόγος)	14 April 1390– 17 September 1390	Son of Andronikos IV, he was born in 1370, and named co-emperor under his father in 1377–79. He usurped the throne from his grandfather John V for five months in 1390, but with Ottoman mediation he was reconciled with John V and his uncle, Manuel II. He held Constantinople against the Ottomans in 1399–1402, and was then given Thessalonica as an appanage, which he governed until his death on 22 September 1408.
	John V Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Ε' Παλαιολόγος)	17 September 1390– 16 February 1391	Restored to senior emperor, he ruled until his death in February 1391.
	Manuel II Palaiologos (Μανουὴλ Β' Παλαιολόγος)	16 February 1391– 21 July 1425	Second son of John V, he was born on 27 June 1350. Raised to co-emperor in 1373, he became senior emperor on John V's death and ruled until his death. He journeyed to the West European courts seeking aid against the Turks, and was able to use the Ottoman defeat in the Battle of Ankara to regain some territories and throw off his vassalage to them.
	John VIII Palaiologos (Ἰωάννης Η' Παλαιολόγος)	21 July 1425– 31 October 1448	Eldest surviving son of Manuel II, he was born on 18 December 1392. Raised to co-emperor c. 1416, he succeeded his father on his death. Seeking aid against the resurgent Ottomans, he ratified the Union of the Churches in 1439.
	Constantine XI Palaiologos (Κωνσταντίνος ΙΑ' Παλαιολόγος)	6 January 1449– 29 May 1453	The fourth son of Manuel II, he was born on 8 February 1405. As Despot of the Morea since 1428, he distinguished himself in campaigns that annexed thePrincipality of Achaea and brought the Duchy of Athens under temporary Byzantine suzerainty, but was unable to repel Turkish attacks under Turahan Bey. As the eldest surviving brother, he succeeded John VIII after the latter's death. Facing the designs of the new Ottoman sultan, Mehmed II, on Constantinople, Constantine acknowledged the Union of the Churches and made repeated appeals for help to the West, but in vain. Refusing to surrender the city, he was killed during the final Ottoman attack on 29 May 1453.[20]

Palaiologan dynasty (claimants in exile)[edit]

Picture	Name	Status	Birth	Emperor from	Emperor until	Death
	Demetrios Palaiologos(Δημήτριος Παλαιολόγος)	Son of Manuel II, brother of John VIII and Constantine XI	c. 1407	1453	1460	1470
	Thomas Palaiologos (Θωμᾶς Παλαιολόγος)	Son of Manuel II, brother of John VIII and Constantine XI	c. 1409	1453	12 May 1465	12 May 1465
	Andreas Palaiologos (Ἀνδρέας Παλαιολόγος)	Son of Thomas	c. 1453	12 May 1465	1502	1502