Five Good Emperors Facts & Worksheets

Five Good Emperors facts and information plus worksheet packs and fact file. Includes 5 activities aimed at students 11-14 years old (KS3) & 5 activities aimed at students 14-16 years old (GCSE). Great for home study or to use within the classroom environment.

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Five Good Emperors Worksheets

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Five Good Emperors Activity & Answer Guide 1
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Table of Contents
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    Summary

    • Background
    • Nerva (ruled 96–98 CE)
    • Trajan (ruled 98–117 CE)
    • Hadrian (ruled 117–138 CE)
    • Antoninus Pius (ruled 138–161 CE)
    • Marcus Aurelius (ruled 161–180 CE)

    Key Facts And Information

    Let’s know more about the Five Good Emperors!

    The Five Good Emperors were a group of Roman rulers who led the empire from 96 CE to 180 CE. They were known for their fair and wise leadership, which brought stability and prosperity to Rome. Instead of just passing down power to their children, these emperors were chosen for their abilities, often through adoption. 

    The Five Good Emperors were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. During their time, the Roman Empire grew stronger, with success in wars, a strong economy, and cultural achievements.

    Map of the Roman Empire at its largest size during the time of the Five Good Emperors
    Map of the Roman Empire at its largest size during the time of the Five Good Emperors

    Background of the Five Good Emperors

    • The time of the Five Good Emperors is often seen as one of the best periods in the history of the Roman Empire. These emperors ruled from 96 CE to 180 CE, and their reigns brought peace, safety, and growth to the empire. The Five Good Emperors were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. They stood out because they ruled wisely, improved the empire, and gave power to the next emperor based on merit, not birth.
    • This time began after the murder of Emperor Domitian, the last ruler from the Flavian family. There were no close family members left to take over, and, for once, no strong general trying to grab power. The Senate used its power and chose a new emperor, Marcus Cocceius Nerva.
    • Nerva was already in his sixties and had no children when he became emperor. He adopted Trajan, a strong and respected general, and named him as his heir. This decision was smart and gave the army confidence in Nerva. In 97 CE, Trajan was named co-emperor, and when Nerva died the next year, Trajan became the new ruler without trouble.
    • This peaceful way of passing power continued for the next emperors. None of them were sons of the ones before. Instead, they were adopted because they were wise, capable, and respected. This way of choosing emperors by merit and not by blood helped bring many years of peace, safety, and strong leadership to the Roman world. It was very different from earlier times, like the Year of the Four Emperors (69 CE), when civil war followed the death of Emperor Nero. Back then, four men tried to rule in one year, and the empire almost broke apart.
    • The Five Good Emperors were different because most of them were from outside Italy. Their families had lived in other parts of the empire for a long time, such as Spain. This showed that Rome had become more open, and people from many places could now lead the empire.
    • These emperors helped spread Roman culture, language, and law across the empire. Many small kingdoms were turned into proper Roman provinces, and even Italy was governed more like the rest of the empire. They improved the economy and built many fine buildings, roads, and public spaces. They also introduced laws that protected people and made justice fairer.
    Nerva
    Nerva
    Trajan
    Trajan
    Hadrian
    Hadrian

    Nerva (ruled 96–98 CE)

    • Nerva became emperor in 96 CE after the assassination of Emperor Domitian. The Senate chose him, which was a rare event, as usually, the army or the previous emperor’s choice determined the next ruler. Nerva was chosen because he was seen as a safe choice due to his old age and lack of heirs. He had a long political career and connections with the Flavian dynasty. After Domitian’s death, Nerva tried to gain support by undoing many of the harsh actions from the previous reign.
    • Key Policies of Nerva:
      • Ending treason trials
      • Giving amnesty to people exiled under Domitian
      • Returning seized property to its original owners
      • Giving land to poor citizens
      • Giving land to poor citizens
      • Reforming taxes to make them fairer
      • Creating funds to support poor children
      • Choosing better officials to run the government more fairly
    • Despite these efforts, Nerva struggled to gain the support of the military, who still supported Domitian. To avoid conflict, he gave a large payment to the soldiers and dismissed Domitian’s chief bodyguard, but this did not stop their dissatisfaction. In 97 CE, the Praetorian Guard seized Nerva and demanded that he punish those responsible for Domitian’s death. Nerva gave in to their demands, even executing some of the conspirators.
    • These emperors helped spread Roman culture, language, and law across the empire. Many small kingdoms were turned into proper Roman provinces, and even Italy was governed more like the rest of the empire. They improved the economy and built many fine buildings, roads, and public spaces. They also introduced laws that protected people and made justice fairer.

    Trajan (ruled 98–117 CE)

    • Trajan, born Marcus Ulpius Traianus, was a general from Spain. He became emperor after Nerva and was the first emperor who was not from Italy. Under his rule, the Roman Empire became larger than ever before. He was respected for his military skills, big building projects, and his ability to manage both the Senate and the army well. His time as emperor was considered a golden age for Rome, and the Senate later gave him the title Optimus Princeps, which means “the best ruler”.
    • Key Policies of Trajan:
      • Expanded the empire by conquering Dacia and parts of the East
      • Built new roads, cities, and water systems
      • Used Dacian gold to make Rome richer
      • Gave land to army veterans in new provinces
      • Set up a fund called alimenta to help poor children
      • Built famous buildings like Trajan’s Forum and Trajan’s Column
      • Worked well with the Senate and kept the government strong
      • Spread Roman ways and laws in new provinces
    • Trajan’s military campaigns were central to his rule, with significant victories that expanded the Roman Empire’s borders. These victories cemented his reputation as one of Rome’s greatest emperors.
      • Dacian Campaign (101–102 CE and 105 CE): Trajan started a war against the Dacians, a group living north of the Roman Empire. He won several battles and forced their king, Decebalus, to make peace in 102 CE. However, in 105 CE, Decebalus attacked the Romans again. Trajan defeated him, destroyed the Dacian capital, and brought Decebalus’s head back to Rome. This victory also brought wealth to Rome from Dacia’s gold mines. To celebrate, Trajan built the famous Trajan’s Column.
      • Annexation of the Nabataean Kingdom (106 CE): In 106 CE, after the death of the Nabataean king, Trajan annexed the Nabataean Kingdom, which helped the Romans control important trade routes. He also built the Via Traiana Nova, a road that connected the Red Sea with the east, further strengthening Roman influence.
      • Parthian Campaign (113 CE): In 113 CE, Trajan launched a campaign in the east, aiming to secure Roman influence in the regions of Armenia and Mesopotamia. His forces succeeded in capturing the kingdom of Osrhoene.
    • Trajan became ill in early 117 CE and sailed back to Italy, but his health worsened throughout the spring and summer. He died suddenly near Selinus, just before 11 August 117 CE. His ashes were likely placed near his column, where he had been honoured as a deified emperor.

    Hadrian (ruled 117–138 CE)

    • When Hadrian became emperor in 117 CE, he quickly made sure his power was secure. He used his position as Trajan's adopted son to strengthen his claim to the throne. Hadrian informed the Senate of his rise through a letter and quickly gained their approval. His first moves involved removing potential rivals from the court.
    • Hadrian focused on securing the empire's borders, especially along the Danube and eastern frontiers. He also made efforts to protect Roman lands by negotiating peace with the Parthians in 123 CE, instead of relying on military force like Trajan did. Even though Hadrian was involved in military matters, he is often credited with promoting peace during his reign. His policies helped reduce the need for large-scale wars. 
    • Key Policies of Hadrian:
      • Improved army pay and gave land to soldiers
      • Made taxes fairer
      • Built roads, bridges, and public buildings
      • Focused on protecting borders instead of expanding
      • Made Roman law and government more organised
      • Promoted Greek culture through the Panhellenion (council of Greek cities to oversee cultural and political issues)
      • Supported the arts and built major landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall
      • His legal changes shaped Roman law for years
      • Rebuilding Jerusalem and banning Jewish customs leading to the Bar Kokhba revolt
    • Hadrian died on 10 July 138 CE, at the age of 62, in his villa at Baiae. He had ruled the Roman Empire for 21 years. Initially, his body was buried in Puteoli, near Baiae, on land that had once belonged to Cicero, a well-known Roman speaker and writer.
    • Soon after, his body was moved to Rome and placed in the Gardens of Domitia, near the large tomb he had started to build for himself. This tomb later became known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian. It was finished in 139 CE by his adopted son and successor, Antoninus Pius.
    Antoninus Pius
    Antoninus Pius
    Marcus Aurelius
    Marcus Aurelius

    Antoninus Pius (ruled 138–161 CE)

    • After the death of Hadrian, Antoninus was adopted as his successor and became Imperator Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus. One of his first acts was to persuade the Senate to deify Hadrian, which they had refused at first. This act of loyalty is likely why he was given the title Pius, meaning dutiful or devoted.
    • Antoninus took care to follow the arrangements left by Hadrian, keeping most of his policies and administrators in place. His government relied heavily on a group of loyal senators, many of whom were close to the cult of Hadrian.
    • Despite his long reign of 23 years, Antoninus never left Italy. He governed the vast Roman Empire through letters, governors, and trusted officials. He dealt with provincial matters calmly and efficiently, earning respect for his peaceful style of leadership.
    • Key Policies of Antoninus Pius:
      • Built aqueducts, roads, bridges, and public buildings
      • Helped cities recover after natural disasters by suspending taxes and providing funds
      • Introduced reforms to protect enslaved people and improve their treatment
      • Improved Roman law, ensuring fairness and justice for all
      • Supported Greek culture by building temples, encouraging philosophers, and creating a teaching post for rhetoric in Athens
      • Built temples, theatres, and monuments across the Empire, including a temple to Mithras in Ostia, and formalised rituals like the taurobolium (bull sacrifice) for the goddess Cybele
      • Presided over the 900th anniversary of the founding of Rome in 148 CE with grand games that featured many exotic animals
      • Divided imperial property into public and private sections to separate state and personal funds
      • Promoted the principle of “innocent until proven guilty”
      • Strengthened the Roman economy and left a large public treasury
    • Antoninus’s reign was unusually peaceful, with no major wars. Still, there were some military troubles in places like Mauretania, Judea, and Britain. In Britain, under his orders, Governor Quintus Lollius Urbicus invaded southern Scotland and built the Antonine Wall, which stretched from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde. This wall was meant to replace Hadrian’s Wall but was later abandoned, possibly due to poor land, weak supply lines, and lack of local Romanisation.
    • Antoninus’s reputation for fairness spread far beyond Rome. The Kushan Empire in India and even Han China recognised him as emperor. In 166 CE, Chinese records note a Roman mission from “Andun,” believed to be a version of Antoninus’s name. This group brought gifts such as ivory and tortoise shells. While this mission came after Antoninus’s death, it shows the deep interest other nations had in Rome’s power and in the emperor himself.
    • Antoninus died on 7 March 161 CE after ruling for 23 years. He was around 70 years old when he passed away. He died at his estate in Lorium, about 12 miles from Rome, following a night of illness. After his death, he was honoured by the Senate and deified. A temple was built for him, and a column was erected in his memory.

     Marcus Aurelius (ruled 161–180 CE)

    • Marcus Aurelius became emperor in 161 CE after the death of his adoptive father, Antoninus Pius. Although the Senate planned for Marcus to be the sole emperor, he decided to rule with his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, following the succession plan set by Hadrian. Even though both had equal power, Marcus had more influence because of his greater experience and respect in Rome.
    • Key Policies of Marcus Aurelius:
      • Gave money to soldiers to keep their loyalty
      • Worked to protect the Empire’s finances by lowering the value of Roman coins
      • Made reforms to help the poor and placed skilled people in key jobs
      • Used state money to help people during natural disasters
      • Led armies against the Parthians and Germanic nations to protect the Empire
      • Wrote Meditations, sharing his thoughts on leadership and duty
    • During the early years of their reign, Marcus and Lucius were liked, partly because they were humble and respectful. The people of Rome liked how they were open and allowed free speech. For example, the writer Marullus could criticise them without any punishment.
    • However, Marcus’s rule was not without problems:
      • War with Parthia (161–166 CE): This war began when the Parthian king attacked Armenia, which was a Roman ally. Marcus Aurelius had little military experience, so he sent reinforcements to the East. Lucius Verus was chosen to lead the campaign, although he was more interested in luxury than in battle. Luckily, Roman generals helped win the war. The Romans took over Armenia and even captured the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon, in 164 CE. For this victory, Lucius was given the title “Parthicus Maximus”.
      • War with Germanic nations (166–180 CE): While the war with Parthia was ending, new problems started in the north. Germanic nations, especially the Marcomanni, began invading Roman land. This led to the Marcomannic Wars. Many different groups of invaders joined the attacks. Marcus had to lead the Roman army to defend the empire’s borders. These wars lasted for many years and were some of the hardest challenges Marcus faced as emperor.
      • The Antonine Plague (165–180 CE): In addition to the wars, Marcus also had to deal with the Antonine Plague, which began around 165 CE. It spread from the East and caused many deaths across the empire, including soldiers. The plague weakened the empire and made it harder for Marcus to rule.
      • Flooding of the Tiber River (161 CE): The flood caused damage and food shortages in Rome. Marcus acted quickly to help the people by using state resources to provide food and aid. 
    • Marcus’s rule was influenced by his Stoic philosophy. He believed in doing his duty, controlling his emotions, and working for the good of the state. His personal writings, especially Meditations, show his thoughts on leadership and the challenges of ruling an empire. 
    • Marcus died at the age of 58 on 17 March 180 CE, from unknown causes. He died in his military quarters, either in the city of Vindobona (modern Vienna) or near Sirmium (modern Sremska Mitrovica). After his death, he was made a god, and his ashes were returned to Rome, where they were placed in Hadrian's Mausoleum (modern Castel Sant'Angelo). His campaigns against the Germanic nations and Sarmatians were honoured with a column and a temple in Rome.
    • After his death, his biological son, Commodus, became emperor. Unlike the previous emperors, who were chosen because of their skills, Commodus became emperor by blood. His rule was very different from the strong leadership of the five good emperors, and many historians think he was not a good choice to follow his father. His strange behaviour and bad decisions caused many problems for the empire.

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    Frequently Asked Questions About the Five Good Emperors

    • Who were the Five Good Emperors of Rome?

      The Five Good Emperors were Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius. They ruled successively from 96 CE to 180 CE and are remembered for bringing stability, good governance, and prosperity to the Roman Empire.

    • Why are they called the "Five Good Emperors"?

      They earned this title because they were seen as wise, just, and capable rulers who put the empempire's welfare above personal gain. Historian Edward Gibbon popularised the term, praising this era as one of Roman history's most prosperous and stable periods.

    • Which emperor expanded the Roman Empire the most?

      Trajan expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent, conquering Dacia (modern-day Romania), parts of the Middle East, and North Africa.