10 Worst and Craziest Roman Emperors of All Time

The Roman Empire, with its grandeur and power, has left an indelible mark on the course of history. However, not all of its leaders brought glory and honor to its name. In fact, some Roman emperors are remembered more for their madness, cruelty, and bizarre antics than for any achievements or contributions to the empire. This article takes a closer look at the ten worst and craziest Roman emperors, whose reigns were marked by scandal, violence, and decisions that often bordered on the absurd.

Caligula (AD 37-41)

A portrait of Caligula

Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, known as Caligula, is often cited as the epitome of the mad Roman emperor. His reign started with promise but quickly descended into debauchery and apparent madness. He is infamous for his cruelty, extravagant spending, and belief in his own divinity. Among the most bizarre acts attributed to him is his attempt to appoint his favorite horse, Incitatus, as a consul, showcasing his disregard for Roman political traditions.

Caligula’s rule was marked by a series of assassinations, including those of his own family members and political rivals, which only added to the climate of fear and instability in Rome. His extravagant construction projects drained the imperial treasury, and his erratic behavior alienated the Roman elite. His reign came to a violent end when he was assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard, unhappy with his unpredictable and tyrannical rule.

Commodus (AD 180-192)

Commodus’ reign marked a significant departure from the stoic virtues espoused by his father, Marcus Aurelius. Obsessed with gladiatorial combat, he saw himself as the reincarnation of Hercules and fought in the arena, an act that scandalized Roman society. His participation in these battles wasn’t a fair competitor; opponents were often armed with wooden weapons, ensuring Commodus’ victory.

Beyond the arena, Commodus was known for his erratic behavior and cruelty. He executed senators on a whim and indulged in excessive spending, depleting the state’s coffers. His misrule contributed to the empire’s declining stability. Eventually, his disregard for Roman tradition and the Senate led to his assassination, an act orchestrated by his inner circle, tired of his unpredictable and destructive antics.

Nero (AD 54-68)

An illustration of Nero

Nero was another Roman emperor whose rule was synonymous with tyranny and extravagance. He came to the throne at a young age and was initially popular among the Roman people. However, as his reign progressed, Nero became increasingly autocratic, executing those he suspected of plotting against him, including his own mother. He is perhaps best known for the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, which he allegedly watched from his palace, playing the lyre as the city burned.

While historians debate his actual role in the fire, Nero used the disaster as an opportunity to rebuild Rome according to his grandiose vision, constructing the opulent Domus Aurea, a vast palace complex that included gardens, a lake, and a colossal statue of himself. His rule ended when he was declared a public enemy by the Senate and committed suicide to avoid execution, marking the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty.

Elagabalus (AD 218-222)

Elagabalus, also known as Heliogabalus, was one of Rome’s most controversial emperors. Ascending to the throne at the age of 14, his short reign was marked by religious fanaticism, sexual scandal, and administrative incompetence. He attempted to replace the traditional Roman pantheon with the worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal, from whom he derived his name, even marrying a Vestal Virgin in a move that shocked Roman society.

His personal life was a source of constant scandal, with rumors of numerous marriages, both to women and men, and extravagant parties that offended the Roman elite. His erratic policies and behavior alienated the Praetorian Guard and the Senate, leading to his assassination and the quick erasure of his memory from official records.

Domitian (AD 81-96)

An ancient coin depiction Domitian

Domitian, the younger brother of Titus and the last ruler of the Flavian dynasty, is often remembered for his authoritarian regime and the climate of fear and suspicion he fostered. Unlike his father, Vespasian, and brother, who were celebrated for their military victories and public works, Domitian’s rule was marked by paranoia and despotism. He saw conspiracies everywhere and executed many senators and nobles on charges of treason, severely straining relations with the Roman Senate.

His reign, however, wasn’t without accomplishments; Domitian strengthened the economy, expanded the borders, and initiated massive building projects, including the renovation of the Roman Forum. Despite these achievements, his tyrannical behavior overshadowed his successes, and he was assassinated in a palace conspiracy, ending the Flavian dynasty. His death was met with relief by many, and the Senate promptly condemned his memory to oblivion.

Caracalla (AD 198-217)

Caracalla is best known for the Constitutio Antoniniana, granting Roman citizenship to all free men within the empire, a monumental decision aimed at increasing tax revenues. However, this act of apparent generosity belies his reputation for cruelty and paranoia. He ordered the murder of his own brother, Geta, with whom he initially co-ruled, and subsequently executed thousands of Geta’s supporters in a bloody purge.

Caracalla’s reign was characterized by military campaigns, heavy taxation to fund his army, and a general disregard for the well-being of his subjects. He was assassinated by a disgruntled soldier, ending a reign that was marked by violence and fear, leaving a legacy of a ruler who was both a bold reformer and a brutal tyrant.

Maximinus Thrax (AD 235-238)

A bust of Maximinus Thrax

Maximinus Thrax, a Thracian soldier of low birth, rose through the ranks to become emperor, marking the beginning of the Crisis of the Third Century. His rule was defined by his military background; he focused on expanding the empire’s borders and was almost constantly on campaign. However, his neglect of the empire’s internal affairs and his heavy taxation to fund his military endeavors made him extremely unpopular.

His estrangement from the Senate and Rome’s elite, coupled with his apparent disdain for civil administration, led to widespread discontent. Ultimately, his own troops, weary of constant campaigning and suffering from a lack of supplies, assassinated him, making his reign one of the shortest and highlighting the instability that would plague the Roman Empire for the next fifty years.

Diocletian (AD 284-305)

Diocletian is a complex figure credited with stabilizing the Roman Empire after the Crisis of the Third Century through significant administrative, military, and economic reforms, including the establishment of the Tetrarchy to ensure a smoother succession. However, his reign is also marked by some of the most severe persecutions of Christians in Roman history, as he sought to revive traditional Roman religious practices and unify the empire under a single religious doctrine.

Despite his efforts to control every aspect of the empire, including attempts to regulate the economy through price edicts, Diocletian’s reforms ultimately led to increased bureaucracy and further divisions within the empire. He is one of the few Roman emperors who abdicated the throne, retiring to his palace in Split, modern-day Croatia, where he famously remarked he preferred tending to his vegetable gardens over returning to power.

Justinian the Great (AD 527-565)

While not technically a Roman Emperor of the city of Rome, Justinian the Great ruled the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire and sought to restore the greatness of the Roman Empire by reconquering lost western territories. His reign saw the compilation of the Corpus Juris Civilis, which became the foundation of legal knowledge in Europe for centuries. However, his military campaigns, while initially successful, ultimately overstretched the empire’s resources and led to devastating plagues and rebellions.

Justinian’s ambition to revive Roman glory had mixed results; his legal and architectural achievements (including the Hagia Sophia) were remarkable, but his efforts left the empire financially drained and more susceptible to future threats. His reign exemplifies the complexities of legacy, combining visionary leadership with the harsh realities of imperial ambition.

Galerius (AD 305-311)

A portrait of Galerius

Galerius, a name less frequently evoked in the hall of infamous Roman emperors, nonetheless carved his place in history through acts of severe persecution and a reign marked by ambition and brutality. As one of the four rulers in the Tetrarchy established by Diocletian, Galerius held the title of Caesar and later Augustus in the eastern parts of the Empire. His most enduring legacy, however, is the intense persecution of Christians under his rule, part of the broader Great Persecution that sought to uproot Christianity from the Roman Empire.

Galerius was notorious for his enforcement of Diocletian’s edicts against Christians, which included the destruction of churches, the burning of sacred texts, and the execution of those who refused to renounce their faith. The severity of his actions and his apparent zeal in carrying out these persecutions earned him a reputation for cruelty and intolerance. It was under his influence that the worst of the persecutions occurred, with countless Christians subjected to torture and death, leading to Galerius being remembered as one of the staunchest opponents of Christianity in Roman history.

Yet, in a twist of fate, it was Galerius who, on his deathbed in 311, issued an edict of tolerance that ended the persecution of Christians, acknowledging the futility of his efforts to eradicate the religion. This act, though arguably motivated more by practicality and his imminent death than a genuine change of heart, marked a significant turning point for Christianity within the empire.

Conclusion

These rulers, with their eccentricities, cruelties, and, at times, visionary ideas, have left an indelible mark on history, serving as cautionary tales of the excesses of absolute rule. Their stories, woven into the fabric of Roman history, remind us of the complexities of leadership and the profound impacts—both destructive and transformative—that a single individual can have on the course of an empire.