Roman usurper

Usurpers were a common feature of the late Roman Empire, especially from the so-called crisis of the third century onwards, when political instability became the rule.

Related Topics:
Roman Empire - Crisis of the third century

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The first dynasty of the Roman Empire, the Julio-Claudians (27 BC - 69 AD), justified the imperial throne by familial ties, namely with the connection (although only through adoption) with Augustus, the first emperor. Eventually conflicts within the Julio-Claudian family triggered a series of murders, which led to the demise of the line. Nero died with public enemy status, and following his suicide a short civil war began, known as the Year of the four emperors. The Flavian dynasty started with Vespasian only to end with the assassination of his second son Domitian. The 2nd century was a period of relative peace marked by the rule of the so-called Five good emperors, but the next century would be characterized by endemic political instability, one of the factors that eventually contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West.

Related Topics:
Julio-Claudians - 27 BC - 69 AD - Adoption - Augustus - Emperor - Nero - Suicide - Year of the four emperors - Vespasian - Domitian - 2nd century - Five good emperors

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