Who is your favorite Roman Emperor

Because he was about 13 when he was placed on the throne and died when he was 19, I believe his reign was by committee of ministers, he most likely had little to do with any policy. I believe most of the business of dealing with the renewed and expanded Persian Empire was done by Generals who probably were the reason for his death...at 19 he might have been becoming more vocal and bothersome. 6 years at the time was rather long...I do think it was a brief calm in the storm but not because of anything he did.

 

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But he was the emperor..so I think that they would have to go through him...regardless..I still think he was good...and his coins are cheap too


stainless

 

Gordian III, and Severus Septimus, LOL. They look pretty sweet on coins (that's why they're my favs, haha).

Phoenix

 

Gordian III......Your mentor has taught you well:whistle:


stainless

 

A little history on the G3-man. His grandfather, Gordian I was governor in Africa under Severus Alexander. He was later chosen by the people and senate of Rome as emperor after they became dissatisfied with Maximinus Thrax, who killed and overthrew Severus Alexander. The governor of a neighboring African province, in league with Maximinus, attacked Gordian in the Battle of Carthage, and killed Gordian I and his son and coemperor, Gordian II. Thereafter, the senate appointed Balbinus and Pupienus as emperors. However, these two were rather unpopular in the city of Rome. In response, they chose Gordian III, Gordian I's grandson, to join them.

 

I just like him because He was pretty popular, He was a military type Emperor, and his stuff can be had cheapish (most of it)


stainless

 

I think its one of the more interesting times, pivotal even. Maximinus is an intriguing story, he never set foot in Rome during his rule, he spent all his time fighting. With the death of Severus Alexander and the rise of the somewhat obscure soldiers soldier, Maximinus, the Thracian, barbarian, consummate soldier...you see the real switch over from the principate which had been faltering for some time, and the final switch over with power resting almost completely in the military. Rome had always been about the military, even more so now, the senate was weak, the military was getting to the stage they no longer felt the need to even pretend to care what the senate might want.

Balbinus and Pupienus were killed by their men, they had been the senatorial class attempt at taking imperial power, it failed...the military could use Gordian (13 years old) for his name and as a figurehead. Eventually more and more men like Maximinus stepped up willing to rule, like Maximinus they did not need the senates approval, even for show, nor did they need a figurehead...the empire became spoils of civil war, few men gained the office without fighting for it and almost all emperors were generals. Because there were constant threats to the empire from outside, they were fighting and the army wanted an emperor that could fight...and because there was always someone else who wanted the office and there was never any real rules to who became emperor next, they were fighting within the ranks all the time.

I think Gordian was an attempt at keeping the appearance of a principate while in reality it was a compromise that allowed the senate to retain its say in civil affairs while the military did as they saw fit, all behind the scenes with the face and name of a Gordian to give to the people....instead of a so called barbarian.

But I dont think a young kid of 13, regardless of his name, could have asserted authority in this environment. He owed his position to greater powers. I think maybe as he approached his twentieth birthday, he might have thought he could, and maybe thats why he died and a guy named Philip the Arab took power Pedigree gave way to military creditials...the army wanted an emperor they could relate to, not a spoiled prince.

 

stainless has become a mentor to firebird no less. will wonders never cease?

 

I will take this from the point of view of whose potraits I like best on coins. My top three would be:

1. Vespasian
2. Nerva
3. Marcus Aurelius

Nero might have to fall in there somewhere for good measure.

 

I like Vespasian a lot...

 

I'd have to say Vespian, Trajan and Hadrian. A lot of impressive growth and architecture was achived during their riegns.

On a side note, I have decide that being a Roman Emperor might not have been the smartest ocupation to want to have. Your life expectancy was drastically shortened with that position.

 

Because he was bad, Caligula would be my favorite. But, I suppose "bad" is a relative term.

 

I think Constantine can argueably be number one. Does anyone else agree.

 

Yea, I think a few emperors had some, let's say, mental issues.

 

Why? I'm curious.