Intro
Coined the “five good emperors” by Renaissance diplomat Niccolo Machiavelli, these five rulers brought prosperity and wisdom to the Roman empire. They were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus, and Marcus. They reigned from 96 to 180 AD, and were part of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty. Despite few hiccups, all of these emperors maintained relative peace and prosperity during their reigns, and supposedly remained in power until their natural deaths.
Nerva (r. 96 - 98 AD)
Marcus Cocceius Nerva was declared emperor by the Senate after the last emperor Domitian was assassinated in a conspiracy. Nerva had served the rulers of the Flavian dynasty for much of his lifetime, and came to power at age 66. His reign was a short one (only two years), but he was credited for bringing his adopted son Trajan to succeed him, ensuring a relatively peaceful transition of power. Nerva died of natural causes.
Trajan (r. 98 - 117 AD)
Caesar Nerva Traianus, or simply Trajan, is famous for his successful military expeditions and is credited for widely expanding Rome’s borders. Trajan also greatly improved Roman quality of life during his reign, as he established building programs that rejuvenated the city of Rome, as well as social welfare policies, which made him loved by the people. Trajan fell ill returning home from war and died of a stroke. He was succeeded by his cousin Hadrian, whom he supposedly nominated as emperor right before his death.
Hadrian (r. 117 - 138 AD)
You’ve probably heard of him from Hadrian’s Wall, which borders England and Scotland. Caesar Trâiānus Hadriānus, like his father, supported military discipline, subsidized civil and religious organizations, and established building projects, including the rebuilding of the Pantheon. He was also an admirer of Greek culture and ordered temples constructed in Athens. Hadrian suffered from chronic illness during the last few years of his reign and had to suppress a revolt in Judaea. Despite his thirst for personal ambition and occasional cruelty, his contributions to Rome marked him as a good emperor.
Antoninus (r. 138 - 161 AD)
Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius, or simply Antoninus, succeeded Hadrian as emperor. Unlike the two rulers before him, Antoninus’s reign was noted for its peace rather than its victorious battles, as there were almost no records of military campaigns he ordered. Antoninus was a skilled administrator and builder, as he expanded aqueducts and roads, and suspended taxes during natural disasters. He also encouraged the enfranchisement of slaves. Before his death, Antoninus adopted Marcus Aurelius and named him his heir.
Marcus (r. 161 - 180 AD)
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was the last of the five good emperors. There were heavy military expeditions in the east as Germanic tribes began to seriously threaten the realm. The Antonine Plague also broke out during the earlier years of Marcus’s reign and devastated the empire. But perhaps what Marcus Aurelius was most famous for was his writings in his personal journal, Meditations. His ideals have inspired many influential figures after his death, and greatly contributed to the discipline of stoic philosophy. During the last few years of his reign, Marcus ruled jointly with his adoptive brother Lucius Verus.
Conclusion
After the death of Marcus Aurelius, his biological son Commodus succeeded him as emperor. Commodus was not nearly as competent as his father, as his rule became increasingly dictatorial. He was assassinated, and with his death, the Nerva-Antonine dynasty ended, and so did a golden age of prosperity in Rome.