Julio-Claudian Dynasty (jan 1, 27 BC – jan 1, 68)

Description:

expansion into northern and
western Europe

“Augustus had no male children who survived, but he married his only daughter Julia to a series of male relatives and in-laws who he thought would be good heirs. Two died, but the third, Tiberius, a successful general who was the son of Augustus’s wife Livia by her first marriage and thus Julia’s stepbrother, survived. Adoption of an heir was a common practice among members of the elite in Rome, who used this method to pass on property to a chosen younger man — often a relative”

“Augustus’s creation of an elite unit of bodyguards known as the Praetorian (pree-TAWR-ee-uhn) Guard had repercussions for his successors. In 41 C.E. the Praetorians murdered Tiberius’s successor Caligula (r. 37–41 C.E.) and forced the Senate to ratify their choice of Claudius as emperor. Such events were repeated frequently. During the first three centuries of the empire, the Praetorian Guard often murdered emperors they were supposed to protect and raised to emperor men of their own choosing.”

“Under Claudius (r. 41–54 C.E.), Roman troops invaded Britain, and roads, canals, and aqueducts were built across the empire. Claudius was followed by his great-nephew Nero (r. 54–68 C.E), whose erratic actions and policies led to a revolt in 68 C.E. by several generals, which was supported by the Praetorian Guard and members of the Senate. He was declared an enemy of the people and committed suicide. This opened the way to widespread disruption and civil war. In 69 C.E., the “year of the four emperors,” four men claimed the position of emperor in quick succession… The man who emerged triumphant was Vespasian, commander of the eastern armies.”

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