The 10 Worst Roman Emperors Were Ruthless

Tiberius

Starting our list of the worst Roman emperors is Tiberius, notably the second emperor to take the throne. Augustus’s reign was marked with peace and prosperity in the realm, a period historians have come to call the Pax Romana. That all came to an end with Tiberius.

The Absent Emperor

Tiberius wasn’t a malicious or cruel emperor by any means. However, the weight of ruling the empire perhaps was a bit too much to bear. Tiberius spent much of his time at the island of Capri, effectively absent from the day-to-day life of the Empire. In his place, Sejanus, a man personally picked by Tiberius, instituted a cruel series of policies and enacted purges. Sejanus would be executed while Tiberius spent the rest of his days on Capri.

Caligula

If you aren’t one for the history of Rome, this is at least one emperor you’ve heard of. Caligula is considered one of the worst Roman emperors for good reason. Unsurprisingly, he had a relatively short reign, coming in at only four years. However, his time on the throne was marked by some of the darkest moments in Roman history.

A Mad King

Caligula served as a hostage on the island of Capri, held captive by the emperor Tiberius. While there, he gained a taste for the perverted and more debauched elements of royal living. His many slights against the Senate and other high-standing Romans included taking wives for concubines, ordering hasty executions, and continually mocking the Senate and Praetorian Guard. This would ultimately be his downfall, as the Praetorian Guard would assassinate the ruler at the age of 29.

Nero

Nero routinely tops lists of the worst Roman emperors, and it isn’t unwarranted. He came to the throne at a young age, ascending to the highest office in the land at the ripe age of 16. Obviously, a young ruler doesn’t make a wise ruler. Nero’s reign was marked by opulence and the construction of a grand circus.

And Rome Burned

The popular myth is that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. However, historical evidence refutes this, claiming Nero was surprisingly compassionate in the time of Rome’s need. Instead, what marks Nero among the worst Roman emperors is his bold persecution of Christians. He terrorized members of his own family as well. Finally, his reign came to an end when he took his own life, starting a period referred to as the Year of Four Emperors.

Domitian

The saying goes that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Interestingly, this is seen most clearly in the reign of Domitian, one of the worst Roman emperors to ever take the throne. Interestingly, Domitian would inherit the throne from his brother Titus, who is widely regarded as one of Rome’s better emperors.

Purges and Paranoia

Domitian’s reign is punctuated with purges, executions, and all manner of nasty business. No one was safe in the court of Domitian, especially members of his own family. Oddly, he was rather generous to the common Roman people with an obelisk and stadium being built at his order. The aristocracy grew sick of his games and cruelty. Thus, his reign finished at the end of a blade wielded by members of his royal court.

Caracalla

Rome’s fall was a swift one, but the foundations of it were set in stone centuries ahead of time. Caracalla is one of the worst Roman emperors to take the throne, coming to power alongside his brother Geta. They inherited the throne from their father, Septimus Severus, a man widely regarded as one of the finer emperors to rule Rome.

A Dynasty of Bloodshed

Caracalla’s dynasty started in bloodshed, and never truly left. The first victim he marked was his brother, who he had hacked to death by a personal guard when Geta was just 22. However, the Constitutio Antoniniana was one great edict of his, granting citizenship to all free men in Rome. Caracalla’s reign carried the taint of fratricide, witnessed by his mother. He met his end at war, sadly at the end of a Roman soldier’s blade.

Elagabalus

Taking the throne as a teenager almost always ends up with someone considered one of the worst emperors of Rome. Elagabalus ruled for four short years, taking the throne as a child essentially. However, his time on the throne is shocking, but not for reasons you’d think.

The Debauched Court

The four short years of Elagabalus’s reign held debauchery and hedonistic pleasures. Interestingly, Elagabalus took his time in office as a free license to fulfill his every whim and fantasy. This ultimately ended with his assassination by the Praetorian Guard, who tired of the young emperor’s rule.

Vitellius

When you start any historical period with the name The Year of the Four Emperors, you’re likely not in for any good. However, if you were thinking emperor Vitellius would be bucking the trend, that’s where you’re wrong. Vitellius had a cruel streak just as wide and vicious as Caligula’s.

A Short Reign

Vitellius had one of the shortest reigns in Roman history, but it certainly left a mark. Over eight months, Vitellius took the office of emperor with a free license to do anything he wanted. This marked the start of purges, assassinations, and executions. Consequently, a gruesome rebellion followed shortly after. Inevitably, Rome didn’t tolerate tyrants for very long if they could help it.

Commodus

Commodus is an emperor made famous by Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, but the truth is so much worse. Unfortunately, Commodus’s reign elevated him to the ranks of the worst Roman emperors without much difficulty. The man had tough footsteps to follow too. Sadly, anyone would feel inadequate coming after Marcus Aurelius.

Blood and Games

Commodus loved the games of Rome, with chariot races and gladiator fights being his passion. However, this didn’t sit well with the aristocracy of Rome. Assassination attempts would see him exile his sister and enact purges. Sadly, a love of political intrigue and bloodsport resulted in the Roman populace growing tired of his reign. Fittingly, he would meet his end at the hands of his favored wrestling partner, who took a final game just a bit too far.

Galba

Sometimes, isn’t about the evils that men do which makes for the worst Roman emperors. Instead, simply just being bad at your job can mark you as one of the worst in history. This is the fate that befell Galba, a ruler who came to power during the Year of Four Emperors. His time on the throne was short, lasting a mere six months.

Unworthy of the Throne

Can you imagine a ruler being cowed by the court? Sadly, this is ultimately what happened to Galba, who allowed others to dictate his policies and decisions. Vast tracts of property were confiscated, legions dissolved without pay, and rebellion marked his tenure. Interestingly, being assassinated by your guards was a Roman tradition of sorts. Galba met his end swiftly after multiple controversial decisions.

Honorius

Finally, we come to Honorius, yet another incompetent emperor. While Galba was inept and easily cowed by his peers, Honorius was just bad at the job. Furthermore, his father Theodosius had a stellar reign, and Honorius brought weakness and ruin to Rome.

The Sacking of Rome

Sadly, Honorius’s reign is marked by the sacking of Rome. Although Rome had been sacked previously, it was never to this extent. Interestingly, it was an inconsistent set of policies toward the invading Visigoths that set the wheels in motion. Further, many of the emperors of Rome had weakened its position. Inevitably, Honorius saw the city fall for good.

Afterward, the Eternal City was no longer in Roman hands. He would meet his end in exile, dying of edema. Eventually, the Eastern Roman Empire, or the Byzantines, would come into greater power in the coming years.