Historical Characters of Ancient Rome

Kingdom of Rome Early Republic Punic Wars Decline of Republic Age of the Caesars Height of Empire Fall of Empire The Phoenicians

Kingdom of Rome—753 to 510 B.C.

Founding of Rome to Exile of Tarquins

Character/Date	Short Biography
Legendary Rome
Aeneas ~ 1200 BC	Hero of Virgil's Aeneid. Prince of Troy who escaped from the burning city and after a long voyage, settled in Italy and became the ancestor of Romulus.
Rhea Silvia ~ 771 BC	Legendary mother of Romulus and Remus. Daughter of Numitor, king of Alba Longa, forced to become a Vestal Virgin by her usurping uncle, Amulius.
Numitor ~ 771 BC	Deposed king of Alba Longa, restored to his throne by his grandsons, Romulus and Remus.
Romulus 771–716 BC	Legendary founder of the city of Rome, with brother Remus.
Remus ~ 0	Twin brother of Romulus, killed in a conflict over who should rule the new city.
Tarpeia ~ 740 BC	Maiden who opened gates of Rome to the Sabines. Gave name to Tarpeian Rock from which Roman traitors were hurled.
Kings of Rome
Numa Pompilius d. 674 BC	Second king of Rome, instituted calendar, holidays, worship practices.
Tullus Hostilius d. 642 BC	Third king, conquered Alba, made Rome the greatest city of the Latins.
Horatii ~ 650 BC	Three brothers who won man-to-man combat to resolve Rome/Alba dispute.
Ancus Marcius d. 617 BC	Fourth king, conquered Latins, built Sublican Bridge across the Tiber.
Tarquin the Elder d. 559 BC	Fifth king, built great sewer, circus, temple of Jupiter, and forum.
Servius Tullius d. 535 BC	Sixth king, built Servian Wall; helped plebians, murdered by daughter.
Tarquin Superbus ~ 535 BC	Killed Servius and usurped throne, eventually overthrown but tried to regain throne by force.
Tullia ~ 535 BC	Helped her husband Tarquin Superbus murder her father Sevius Tullus, and seize the throne of Rome.
Cumaean Sibyl ~ 535 BC	Legendary priestes who presided over the Oracle at Cumae. Presented the Sibylline Books to Tarquin Superbus.
War Against Tarquinii
Lucretia d. 510 BC	Virtuous Maiden, killed herself after assault by son of Tarquin Superbus.
Junius Brutus d. 509 BC	First Consul of Rome; executed sons for plotting against the republic.
Publicola d. 508 BC	Consul of Rome during the wars with Porsena.
Lars Porsena ~ 508 BC	Etruscan king, and supporter of the Tarquins who raised an army to march against Rome.
Horatius 535–509 BC	Hero who held the Sublican Bridge against Porsena's entire army.
Mucius Scaevola 535–509 BC	Hero who burned his right hand to defy Porsena.
Cloelia ~ 510 BC	Roman hostage swam across the Tiber to escape from Lars Porsenna.

Early Republic—510 to 275 B.C.

Defeat of Tarquins to Unification of Italy

Character/Date	Short Biography
Early Heroes
Menenius ~ 503 BC	Roman noble who negotiated with the plebeians after their walk-out during a war.
Coriolanus 500–450 BC	Hero, provoked to turn traitor. Convinced by his mother to spare Rome from destruction.
Cincinnatus 519–439 BC	Called to be dictator when Roman army was trapped. Saved them, and then returned to his farm.
Fabii ~ 480 BC	Fabian brothers build a camp on the Cremona to defend Rome from Veii. They were ambushed and slain.
Appius Claudius d. 452 BC	Evil law giver who usurped power, then attempted to enslave Virginia.
Virginia d. 451 BC	Heroine slain by her father to rescue her from slavery and dishonor.
Gallic Invasion
Camillus 446–365 BC	Great military leader; conquered Veii, saved Rome from Gauls, organized legions.
Marcus Manlius d. 384 BC	Defended the capitol from the Gauls.
Brennus d. 390 BC	Leader of the Gauls who sacked Rome in 390 B.C.
Marcus Curtius d. 362 BC	Rode horse into a large chasm in Roman market-place.
Valerius Corvus 370–270 BC	Defeated a gigantic Gaul in one-on-one combat; lived to be 100.
Samnite Wars
Decius Mus d. 340 BC	Sacrificed self in war against the Latins.
Manlius Torquatus d. 384 BC	Consul who slew his son for a minor disobedience.
Caius Pontius ~ 321 BC	Samnite general who captured the Romans at Caudium Pass.
Fabius Rullianus d. 291 BC	Hero of the Battle of Sentinum, against the Gauls and Samnites.
Pyrrhic Wars
Appius Claudius 340–273 BC	Built first auqeduct, public buildings, and "Appian Way", the great Roman road to Capua.
Fabricius ~ 284 BC	Incorruptible Roman ambassador who negotiated with Pyrrhus. Emblem of Roman Republican virtue.
Pyrrhus 318–272 BC	Renowned general, won victories in Macedon, Italy, and Greece, but failed to follow up wins.

Punic Wars—274 to 146 B.C.

First Punic War to Destruction of Carthage

Character/Date	Short Biography
First Punic War
Regulus 300–250 BC	Captured by Carthage in first Punic war; urged Rome keep fighting at cost of his own life.
Xanthippus ~ 255 BC	Spartan mercenary general in first Punic War; captured Regulus, led Carthage to victories.
Hamilcar d. 229 BC	Carthage's most able general in first Punic War; father of Hannibal.
Second Punic War
Hannibal 247–182 BC	Carthaginian general, invaded and laid waste to Italy for sixteen years.
Fabius Cunctator 250–203 BC	Elected dictator to resist Hannibal; counseled delay, not direct assault.
Cornelius Scipio d. 211 BC	Tried to intercept Hannibal in Gaul, but was defeated at Ticino River and Trebbia.
Aemilius Paulus d. 216 BC	Consul at the Battle of Cannae; opposed the confrontation, but died on battlefield.
Varro ~ 216 BC	Led Rome to disastrous defeat at Cannae. Survived and tried to rally the troops.
Marcellus 268–208 BC	Besieged Syracuse during the second Punic War, but the ingenious war weapons of Archimedes frustrated the Romans.
Hasdrubal Barca d. 207 BC	Fought against Scipios in Spain; killed after he crossed the Alps to aid Hannibal.
Hasdrubal ~ 150 BC	Commander of Carthaginian army during the third Punic War, and the Siege of Carthage..
Masinissa 238–148 BC	King of Numidia, allied with Rome against Carthage; fought at Zama.
Scipio Africanus 234–149 BC	Roman hero of second Punic War. Led armies in Spain and Africa. Defeated Hannibal at Zama.
Third Punic War
Cato (the censor) 234–149 BC	Roman censor, urged destruction of Carthage before third Punic War.
Scipio the Younger 185–129 BC	Led the siege of Carthage during the third Punic War.
Polybius 203–120 BC	Taken as Greek hostage during Macedonian wars; historian of Punic Wars.
Macedonia Wars
Flamininus 230–175 BC	Led Rome against Philip V in second Macedonian War.
Aemilius Paulus 229–160 BC	Led Rome against Macedonia at the Battle of Pydna and was victorious.

Decline of Republic—146 to 60 B.C.

Age of Gracchi to Pompey Defeats Pirates

Character/Date	Short Biography
Gracchi Land Reforms
Scipio the Younger 185–129 BC	Led the siege of Carthage during the third Punic War.
Cornelia 185–100 BC	Mother of the Gracchi. Highly revered Roman matron.
Tiberius Gracchus 163–132 BC	Promoted Land Reform and fought for people's rights. Murdered by senators.
Gaius Gracchus 154–121 BC	Continued reforms of his brother, but was undermined by the senate.
Marius/Sulla Civil War
Metellus d. 91 BC	Commanded troops in Numidia against Jugurtha. Enemy of Marius.
Marius 155–86 BC	Renowned general. Modernized legions. Waged a bloody feud with party of Sulla.
Cinna d. 84 BC	With Marius, raised an army, and took possession of Rome for populist Party.
Sulla 138–78 BC	Defeated Mithradates in Greece. Marched on Rome, defeated the party of his enemy Marius.
Lucullus 120–70 BC	Led Rome against Mithradates in third Mithradatic War. Known for extravagant lifestyle.
Crassus 110–53 BC	Very wealthy general. Fought Spartacus. Formed triumvirate with Pompey and Caesar.
Pompey 106–48 BC	Very renowned general. Defeated pirates. Led opposition to Caesar in civil war.
Enemy Chieftains
Jugurtha 156–104 BC	Numedian king, flagrantly bribed senate to maintain power. Enemy of Rome.
Mithridates 160–104 BC	King of Pontus, enemy of Rome, raised rebellions in Greece and Asia Minor.
Sertorius 122–72 BC	Led rebellion against Rome in Spain; held out for 8 years.
Spartacus 111–71 BC	Gladiator who led a slave revolt. Held out for two years.

Age of the Caesars—60 B. C. to 14 A.D.

First Triumvirate to Death of Augustus

Character/Date	Short Biography
First Triumvirate
Julius Caesar 100–44 BC	Conquered Gaul, prevailed in civil war. Mastermind of Roman empire. Killed by senators.
Pompey 106–48 BC	Very renowned general. Defeated pirates. Led opposition to Caesar in civil war.
Crassus 110–53 BC	Very wealthy general. Fought Spartacus. Formed triumvirate with Pompey and Caesar.
Cicero 106–43 BC	Orator. Leader of aristocratic party. Put down Catiline conspiracy. Well known writer.
Catiline 108–62 BC	Led conspiracy to overthrow Senate; discovered and put down by Cicero.
Cato (the younger) 95–46 BC	Highly principled republican who opposed Caesar, killed self after defeat of Pompey.
Clodius 93–52 BC	Violent enemy of Cicero. Populist rabble-rouser and demagogue.
Second Triumvirate
Augustus Caesar 63–14	First emperor. Reigned for over fifty years. Established the Imperial system.
Cassius d. 42 BC	Mastermind of conspiracy to assassinate Caesar. Committed suicide at Philippi.
Marcus Brutus 84–42	Leader of conspirators to assassinate Caesar. Committed suicide at Philippi.
Antony 83–30 BC	With Octavius, led empire after Caesar's death. Liaison with Cleopatra caused downfall.
Fulvia 77–40 BC	Wealthy and scheming Roman matron. Married to Clodius, then to Mark Antony. Enemy of Cicero.
Cleopatra 70–20 BC	Queen of Egypt. Lover of both Caesar and Mark Antony.
Augustan Age
Maecenas 70–8 BC	Advisor and ambassador of Augustus. Patron of art and literature.
Virgil 70–19 BC	Great epic poet of the Augustan age. Wrote The Aeneid.
Horace 65–8 BC	Great lyric poet and satirist of the Augustan age.
Agrippa 63–12 BC	Most trusted general and advisor of Augustus Caesar. Married Augustus's daughter Julia.
Livia 58–29	Wife of Augustus Caesar. Empress of Rome for over fifty years.
Livy 59–17	Roman historian. Wrote History of Rome from its Founding.
Julia Caesara 39–14	Profligate daughter of Augustus Caesar. Fell from grace and was banished from Rome.
Hermann 16–21	Hero of Germany. Annihilated three Roman legions at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest.

Height of Empire—14 to 235 A.D.

Reign of Tiberius to Last Severan Emperor

Character/Date	Short Biography
Julio-Claudian Emperors
Tiberius 42–37	Second emperor. Stepson of Augustus. Retired to Capri.
Drusus 38–9 BC	Son of Livia, father of Germanicus. Died on campaign in Germany.
Sejanus d. 31	Leader of Praetorians. Conspired to seize the throne from Tiberius.
Germanicus 15–19	Roman military hero and heir to the throne. Probably murdered.
Agrippina the Elder 14–33	Granddaughter of Augustus Caesar; accused Tiberius of killing her husband Germanicus.
Caligula 12–41	Third emperor. Sadistic and probably insane.
Claudius 10–54	Fourth emperor. Manipulated by wicked wives, Messalina and Agrippina.
Messalina 17–48	Wicked, profligate, and promiscuous wife of Claudius.
Agrippina the Younger 16–59	Mother of Nero. Murdered Claudius to make way for his rise to the throne.
Nero 37–68	Fifth emperor. Murdered mother, wife, and brother. Fiddled while Rome burned.
Seneca 3–65	Tutor and minister to Nero. Forced to commit suicide after falling from grace.
Poppaea d. 65	Wicked mistress of Nero. Urged him to kill his mother and first wife.
Boadicea d. 61	Queen of the Iceni. Led the largest revolt of Celtic Britons against the Romans.
Flavian Emperors
Galba 3–69	Declared emperor after Nero was deposed. Served less than a year.
Otho 32–69	Emperor for three months in 69 A.D. Committed suicide rather than continue civil war.
Vitellius d. 69	Emperor for nine months in 69 A.D. Known as an incompetent glutton.
Vespasian 9–79	First emperor of humble origins. Founder of Flavian dynasty.
Titus 40–81	Second Flavian emperor. Conquered Jerusalem. Reigned with father Vespasian.
Domitian 51–96	Third Flavian emperor. Known for purges and persecutions near end of reign.
Pliny ( the Elder) 23–79	Scholar, author of encyclopedias, naturalist. Wrote Natural Histories. Died at the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
Josephus 37–100	Jewish historian. Captured by Romans at Jotapata. Wrote the Jewish War.
Agricola 40–93	Roman general and statesman. Governor of Britain. Pacified Wales.
Martial 40–102	Poet and satirist. Wrote twelve books of Epigrams.
Plutarch 46–122	Most outstanding moralist and biographer of ancient times. Wrote Lives of Greeks and Romans.
Tacitus 55–120	Historian. Related to Agricola. Wrote Germania, Histories, and Annals.
Five Good Emperors
Nerva 30–98	First of the "Five Good Emperors." Ruled briefly between Domitian and Trajan.
Trajan 53–117	Second of "Five Good Emperors." Ruled with justice and integrity. Conquered Dacia.
Pliny the Younger 63–113	Roman statesman and and orator. His letters are important historical sources.
Hadrian 76–138	Third of "Five Good Emperors." Talented artist and architect, good administrator.
Antoninus Pius 86–161	Fourth of "Five Good Emperors." Continued policy of consolidation. Ruled justly.
Marcus Aurelius 121–180	Fifth of "Five Good Emperors." Stoic philosopher. Improved condition of poor.
Commodus 161–192	Corrupt son of Aurelius, misruled for twelve years and was murdered.
Severan Emperors
Septimus Severus 146–211	Seized Imperial throne after the death of Commodus. Put down many rebellions.
Caracalla 188–217	Brutal and iron-fisted emperor. Murdered brother Geta. Built "Baths of Caracalla."
Julia Domna 170–217	Wife of Severus; mother of Caracalla. Influential in Imperial government.
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Fall of Empire—235 to 565 A.D.

Military Anarchy to Reign of Justinian I

Character/Date	Short Biography
Military Anarchy
Maximinus d. 238	Thracian giant. Rose to head of army, seized imperial throne, and reigned as a barbarian.
Aurelian 214–275	Emperor who reunited the empire during the Military anarchy. Led campaign in Palmyra against Zenobia.
Zenobia ~ 267	Queen of Palmyra. Attempted to control the eastern empire, only to be crushed by Rome.
Diocletian/Constantine
Diocletian 245–313	Restored order to the empire after fifty years of chaos. Broke empire into four regions.
Constantine 272–337	First Christian emperor. Unified empire. Moved capital to Constantinople near Black Sea.
Julian the Apostate 331–363	Last emperor of the Constantinian dynasty. Tried to restore paganism.
Ulfilas 310–383	Missionary bishop who translate the bible into the Gothic language and converted the Goths to Arian Christianity.
Late Western Empire
Stilicho 359–408	Roman general who fought off the Visigoths before they overran Rome. Murdered by Emperor Honorius.
Aetius 396–454	Last great General of the Western Empire. Defeated Attila the Hun at Chalons.
Ricimer 405–472	Visigoth General who was master of Rome during the final years of the Empire.
Alaric the Visigoth 370–410	Chieftain who led the Visogoths into northern Italy, and then besieged and sacked Rome.
Attila the Hun 406–453	Barbarian chieftain who overran and terrorized much of Europe. Defeated at the Battle of Chalons.
Genseric 390–477	Leader of Vandals. Conquered Northern Africa and Sicily. Invaded and ransacked Rome.
Odoacer 435–493	Deposed last Roman Emperor and became King of Italy. Later overthrown by Theodoric the Ostrogoth.
Theodoric the Ostrogoth 454–526	Ostrogoth king who invaded Italy and successfully formed a Gothic-Roman kingdom.
Alboin d. 573	King of the Lombards who crossed the Alps and invaded Northern Italy. Made Pavia capital of Lombards.
Clovis 466–511	Founder of the Frankish Kingdom. Converted to Christianity by his wife Clotilda.
Late Eastern Empire
Valens 328–378	Eastern Emperor embroiled in wars in Persia and with the Goths. Died fighting Visigoths at Adrianople.
Theodosius 346–395	Emperor excommunicated by Ambrose for massacre of civilians at Thessalonia.
Justinian the Great 483–565	Ruled Byzantine Empire for 40 years. Well known for legal reforms known as Code of Justinian.
Empress Theodora 500–548	Born in humble circumstances, she married Justinian the Great and became his trusted advisor.
Belisarius 505–565	General associated with Julian the Great, reconquered much of lost Roman territory.

The Phoenicians—1500 B.C. to 235 A.D.

Byblos, Sidon, Tyre to Sevaran Dynasty

Character/Date	Short Biography
Legendary Phoenicians
Cadmus ~ 2000 BC	Demigod who was founder of Thebes and brought the Alphabet to Greece.
Europa ~ 2000 BC	Phoenician Princess carried away by Zeus to the Continent of Europe.
Dido ~ 1200 BC	Queen of Carthage who fell in love with Aeneas.
Biblical Phoenicians
Hiram ~ 950 BC	King of Tyre, allied with Solomon of Israel. Powerful king who helped make Tyre the power center of Phoenicia.
Queen of Sheba ~ 950 BC	Legendary African Queen during the days of Solomon.
Solomon ~ 950 BC	Third King of Israel, known for wealth and wisdom. Built the first temple of Jerusalem.
Jezebel ~ 850 BC	Tyrian princess who became the evil Queen of Ahab King of the Northern Kingdom. Instituted the worship of Baal in Isreal.
Athaliah ~ 820 BC	Daughter of Jezebel and queen of Judah who murdered most of the royal family after the death of her husband.
Hiram Abiff ~ 950 BC	Phoenician Chief architect of Solomon's Temple who was said to have been murdered for not revealing the guild secrets. Central Character in Freemasonry.
Scientists, Philosophers, Explorers
Pythagoras 570–480 BC	Philosopher and mathematician; invented the Pythagorean Theorem.
Euclid 340–300 BC	Most eminent mathematician of his age, wrote Elements of Geometry.
Thales 635–543 BC	Early Greek philosopher and scientist, one of seven sages of Greece.
Hanno the Navigator ~ 600 BC	First Mediterranean sea-farer to explore the West coast of Africa and give report.
Punic Wars
Hamilcar d. 229 BC	Carthage's most able general in first Punic War; father of Hannibal.
Hannibal 247–182 BC	Carthaginian general, invaded and laid waste to Italy for sixteen years.
Hasdrubal Barca d. 207 BC	Fought against Scipios in Spain; killed after he crossed the Alps to aid Hannibal.
Hasdrubal ~ 150 BC	Commander of Carthaginian army during the third Punic War, and the Siege of Carthage..
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Imperial Age Canaanites
Catiline 108–62 BC	Led conspiracy to overthrow Senate; discovered and put down by Cicero.
Maecenas 70–8 BC	Advisor and ambassador of Augustus. Patron of art and literature.
Sejanus d. 31	Leader of Praetorians. Conspired to seize the throne from Tiberius.
Septimus Severus 146–211	Seized Imperial throne after the death of Commodus. Put down many rebellions.
Caracalla 188–217	Brutal and iron-fisted emperor. Murdered brother Geta. Built "Baths of Caracalla."
Elagabalus 205–222	Third Severan emperor; assumed throne at 14; effeminate and profligate; deposed by army.
Julia Domna 170–217	Wife of Severus; mother of Caracalla. Influential in Imperial government.

Historical Characters of Ancient Rome

Kingdom of Rome—753 to 510 B.C.

Founding of Rome to Exile of Tarquins

Legendary Rome

Kings of Rome

War Against Tarquinii

Early Republic—510 to 275 B.C.

Defeat of Tarquins to Unification of Italy

Early Heroes

Gallic Invasion

Samnite Wars

Pyrrhic Wars

Punic Wars—274 to 146 B.C.

First Punic War to Destruction of Carthage

First Punic War

Second Punic War

Third Punic War

Macedonia Wars

Decline of Republic—146 to 60 B.C.

Age of Gracchi to Pompey Defeats Pirates

Gracchi Land Reforms

Marius/Sulla Civil War

Enemy Chieftains

Age of the Caesars—60 B. C. to 14 A.D.

First Triumvirate to Death of Augustus

First Triumvirate

Second Triumvirate

Augustan Age

Height of Empire—14 to 235 A.D.

Reign of Tiberius to Last Severan Emperor

Julio-Claudian Emperors

Flavian Emperors

Five Good Emperors

Severan Emperors

Fall of Empire—235 to 565 A.D.

Military Anarchy to Reign of Justinian I

Military Anarchy

Diocletian/Constantine

Late Western Empire

Late Eastern Empire

The Phoenicians—1500 B.C. to 235 A.D.

Byblos, Sidon, Tyre to Sevaran Dynasty

Legendary Phoenicians

Biblical Phoenicians

Scientists, Philosophers, Explorers

Punic Wars

Imperial Age Canaanites