document_title: List of Roman emperors

question_text: this emperor in the west reigned only briefly i n 472 before dying a natural death

root

text: List of Roman emperors

text: Legitimacy[edit]

text: The emperors listed in this article are those generally agreed to have been 'legitimate' emperors, and who appear in published regnal lists.[6][7][8] The word 'legitimate' is used by most authors, but usually without clear definition, perhaps not surprisingly, since the emperorship was itself rather vaguely defined legally.  In Augustus' original formulation, the princeps was selected by either the Senate or "the people" of Rome, but quite quickly the legions became an acknowledged stand-in for "the people."  A person could be proclaimed as emperor by their troops or by "the mob" in the street, but in theory needed to be confirmed by the Senate.  The coercion that frequently resulted was implied in this formulation.  Furthermore, a sitting emperor was empowered to name a successor and take him on as apprentice in government and in that case the Senate had no role to play, although it sometimes did when a successor lacked the power to inhibit bids by rival claimants.  By the medieval (or "Byzantine") period, the very definition of the Senate became vague as well, adding to the complication.[9]

tag: p

text: Lists of legitimate emperors are therefore partly influenced by the subjective views of those compiling them, and also partly by historical convention. Many of the 'legitimate' emperors listed here acceded to the position by usurpation, and many 'illegitimate' claimants had a legitimate claim to the position. Historically[by whom?], the following criteria have been used to derive emperor lists:

text:
Any individual who undisputedly ruled the whole Empire, at some point, is a 'legitimate emperor'(1).
Any individual who was nominated as heir or co-emperor by a legitimate emperor (1), and who succeeded to rule in his own right, is a legitimate emperor (2).
Where there were multiple claimants, and none were legitimate heirs, the claimant accepted by the Roman Senate as emperor is the legitimate emperor (3), at least during the Principate.

tag: ul

text: So for instance, Aurelian, though acceding to the throne by usurpation, was the sole and undisputed monarch between 270–275 AD, and thus was a legitimate emperor. Gallienus, though not in control of the whole Empire, and plagued by other claimants, was the legitimate heir of (the legitimate emperor) Valerian. Claudius Gothicus, though acceding illegally, and not in control of the whole Empire, was the only claimant accepted by the Senate, and thus, for his reign, was the legitimate emperor. Equally, during the Year of the Four Emperors, all claimants, though not undisputed, were at some point accepted by the Senate and are thus included; conversely, during the Year of the Five Emperors neither Pescennius Niger nor Clodius Albinus were accepted by the Senate, and are thus not included. There are a few examples where individuals were made co-emperor, but never wielded power in their own right (typically the child of an emperor); these emperors are legitimate, but are not included in regnal lists, and in this article are listed together with the 'senior' emperor.

text: Emperors after 395[edit]

text: After 395, the list of emperors in the East is based on the same general criteria, with the exception that the emperor only had to be in undisputed control of the Eastern part of the empire, or be the legitimate heir of the Eastern emperor.

text: The situation in the West is more complex. Throughout the final years of the Western Empire (395–480) the Eastern emperor was considered the senior emperor, and a Western emperor was only legitimate if recognized as such by the Eastern emperor. Furthermore, after 455 the Western emperor ceased to be a relevant figure and there was sometimes no claimant at all. For the sake of historical completeness, all Western Emperors after 455 are included in this list, even if they were not recognized by the Eastern Empire;[10] some of these technically illegitimate emperors are included in regnal lists, while others are not. For instance, Romulus Augustulus was technically a usurper who ruled only the Italian peninsula and was never legally recognized.  However, he was traditionally considered the "last Roman Emperor" by 18th and 19th century western scholars and his overthrow by Odoacer used as the marking point between historical epochs, and as such he is usually included in regnal lists.  However, modern scholarship has confirmed that Romulus Augustulus' predecessor, Julius Nepos continued to rule as emperor in the other Western holdings and as a figurehead for Odoacer's rule in Italy until Nepos' death in 480.  Since the question of what constitutes an emperor can be ambiguous, and dating the "fall of the Western Empire" arbitrary, this list includes details of both figures.

text: The Principate[edit]

text: Julio-Claudian dynasty (27 BC – 68 AD)[edit]

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Augustus  IMPERATOR CAESAR DIVI FILIVS AVGVSTVS

September 23, 63 BC, Rome, Italia

Great-nephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar; became de facto emperor as a result of the 'first settlement' between himself and the Roman Senate.

January 16, 27 BC – August 19, 14 AD

40 years, 7 months and 3 days

August 19, 14 AD (aged 75) Natural causes

TiberiusTIBERIVS CAESAR DIVI AVGVSTI FILIVS AVGVSTVS

November 16, 42 BC, Rome

Natural son of Livia Drusilla, Augustus' third wife, by a previous marriage; stepbrother and third husband of Julia the Elder, daughter of Augustus; adopted by Augustus as his son and heir.

September 18, 14 AD – March 16, 37 AD

22 years, 5 months and 27 days

March 16, 37 AD (aged 77) Probably natural causes, possibly assassinated by Caligula or praetorian prefect Naevius Sutorius Macro

Caligula  GAIVS IVLIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS

August 31, 12 AD, Antium, Italia

Great-nephew and adoptive grandson of Tiberius; natural son of Germanicus; great-grandson of Augustus.

March 18, 37 AD – January 24, 41 AD

3 years, 10 months and 6 days

January 24, 41 AD (aged 28) Assassinated in a conspiracy involving senators and Praetorian Guards.

Claudius  TIBERIVS CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS

August 1, 10 BC, Lugdunum, Gallia Lugdunensis

Uncle of Caligula; brother of Germanicus; nephew of Tiberius; great-nephew and step-grandson of Augustus; proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard.

January 25/26, 41 AD – October 13, 54 AD

13 years, 8 months and 18/19 days

October 13, 54 AD (aged 63) Probably poisoned by his wife Agrippina the Younger, in favour of her son Nero, possibly natural causes.

Nero  NERO CLAVDIVS CAESAR AVGVSTVS GERMANICVS

December 15, 37 AD, Antium, Italia

Great-nephew, stepson, son-in-law and adopted son of Claudius; nephew of Caligula; great-great-nephew of Tiberius; grandson of Germanicus; great-great-grandson of Augustus

October 13, 54 AD – June 9, 68 AD

13 years, 7 months and 27 days

June 9, 68 AD (aged 30) Committed suicide after being declared a public enemy by the Senate.

tag: table

text: Flavian dynasty (68–96)[edit]

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Galba  SERVIVS SVLPICIVS GALBA CAESAR AVGVSTVS

December 24, 3 BC, Near Terracina, Italia

Seized power after Nero's suicide, with support of the Spanish legions

June 8, 68 AD – January 15, 69 AD

7 months and 7 days

January 15, 69 AD (aged 70) Murdered by Praetorian Guard in coup led by Otho

Otho  MARCVS SALVIVS OTHO CAESAR AVGVSTVS

April 28, 32 AD, Ferentinum, Italia

Appointed by Praetorian Guard

January 15, 69 AD – April 16, 69 AD

3 months and 1 day (91 days)

April 16, 69 AD (aged 36) Committed suicide after losing Battle of Bedriacum to Vitellius

Vitellius  AVLVS VITELLIVS GERMANICVS AVGVSTVS

September 24, 15 AD, Rome

Seized power with support of German Legions (in opposition to Galba/Otho)

April 17, 69 AD – December 20, 69 AD

8 months and 3 days

December 20, 69 AD (aged 54) Murdered by Vespasian's troops

Vespasian  TITVS FLAVIVS CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVGVSTVS

November 17, 9 AD, Falacrine, Italia

Seized power with the support of the eastern Legions (in opposition to Vitellius)

December 21, 69 AD – June 24, 79 AD

9 years, 6 months and 3 days

June 24, 79 AD (aged 69) Natural causes

Titus  TITVS FLAVIVS CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVGVSTVS

December 30, 39 AD, Rome

Son of Vespasian

June 24, 79 AD – September 13, 81 AD

2 years, 2 months and 20 days

September 13, 81 AD (aged 41) Natural causes (fever)

Domitian  TITVS FLAVIVS CAESAR DOMITIANVS AVGVSTVS

October 24, 51 AD, Rome

Son of Vespasian

September 14, 81 AD – September 18, 96 AD

15 years and 4 days

September 18, 96 AD (aged 44) Assassinated by court officials

text: Nerva–Antonine dynasty (96–192)[edit]

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Nerva  MARCVS COCCEIVS NERVA CAESAR AVGVSTVS

November 8, 30 AD, Narni, Italia

Appointed by the Senate

September 18, 96 AD – January 27, 98 AD

1 year, 4 months and 9 days

January 27, 98 AD (aged 67) Natural causes

Trajan  CAESAR MARCVS VLPIVS NERVA TRAIANVS AVGVSTVS

September 18, 53 AD, Italica, Hispania Baetica

Adopted son and heir of Nerva

January 28, 98 AD – August 7, 117 AD

19 years, 6 months and 10 days

August 7, 117 AD (aged 63) Natural causes

Hadrian  CAESAR PVBLIVS AELIVS TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVGVSTVS

January 24, 76 AD, Italica, Hispania Baetica (or Rome)

Adopted son and heir of Trajan

August 11, 117 AD – July 10, 138 AD

20 years, 10 months and 30 days

July 10, 138 AD (aged 62) Natural causes

Antoninus Pius  CAESAR TITVS AELIVS HADRIANVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS PIVS

September 19, 86 AD, Near Lanuvium, Italia

Adopted son and heir of Hadrian

July 10, 138 AD – March 7, 161 AD

22 years, 6 months and 28 days

March 7, 161 AD (aged 74) Natural causes

Lucius Verus  CAESAR LVCIVS AVRELIVS VERVS AVGVSTVS

December 15, 130 AD, Rome

Adopted son and heir of Antoninus Pius and son-in-law of Marcus Aurelius; Co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius until his death

March 7, 161 AD – ? March 169 AD

8 years

March 169 AD (aged 39) Natural causes (Plague)

Marcus Aurelius  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS

April 26, 121 AD, Rome

Adopted son, son-in-law and heir of Antoninus Pius; Co-emperor with Lucius Verus until 169 AD

March 7, 161 AD – March 17, 180 AD

19 years and 10 days

March 17, 180 AD (aged 58) Natural causes

Commodus  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS COMMODVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS

August 31, 161 AD, Lanuvium, Italia

Natural son of Marcus Aurelius; joint emperor from 177 AD

177 AD – December 31, 192 AD

3 years as joint emperor,  12 as sole emperor

December 31, 192 AD (aged 31)
Assassinated in palace, strangled to death in his bath

text: Severan dynasty (193–235)[edit]

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Pertinax  CAESAR PVBLIVS HELVIVS PERTINAX AVGVSTVS

August 1, 126 AD, Alba, Italia

Proclaimed emperor by Praetorian Guard

January 1, 193 AD – March 28, 193 AD

2 months and 27 days (86 days)

March 28, 193 AD (aged 66) Murdered by Praetorian Guard

Didius Julianus  CAESAR MARCVS DIDIVS SEVERVS IVLIANVS AVGVSTVS

133 or 137 AD, Milan, Italia

Won auction held by the Praetorian Guard for the position of emperor

March 28, 193 AD – June 1, 193 AD

2 months and 4 days (65 days)

June 1, 193 AD (aged 56 or 60) Executed on orders of the Senate

Septimius Severus  CAESAR LVCIVS SEPTIMIVS SEVERVS PERTINAX AVGVSTVS

April 11, 145 AD, Leptis Magna, Libya

Seized power with support of Pannonian legions[a]

April 9, 193 AD – February 4, 211 AD

17 years, 9 months and 26 days

February 4, 211 AD (aged 65) Natural causes

Caracalla  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS SEVERVS ANTONINVS PIVS AVGVSTVS

April 4, 188 AD, Lugdunum, Gallia Lugdunensis

Son of Septimius Severus; co-emperor with Severus from 198 AD; with Severus and Geta from 209 AD until February 211 AD; co-emperor with Geta until December 211 AD

198 AD – April 8, 217 AD

13 years as joint emperor  10 months with Geta  6 years as sole emperor

April 8, 217 AD (aged 29) Murdered by a soldier as part of a conspiracy involving Macrinus

Geta  CAESAR PVBLIVS SEPTIMIVS GETA AVGVSTUS

March 7, 189 AD, Rome

Son of Septimius Severus; co-emperor with Severus and Caracalla from 209 AD until February 211 AD; co-emperor with Caracalla until December 211 AD

209 AD – December 26, 211 AD

2 years as joint emperor  10 months with Caracalla

December 19, 211 AD (aged 22) Murdered on the orders of Caracalla

Macrinus  CAESAR MARCVS OPELLIVS SEVERVS MACRINVS AVGVSTVS PIVS FELIX   with Diadumenian  MARCVS OPELLIVS ANTONINVS DIADVMENIANVS

c. 165 AD, Caesarea, Mauretania

Praetorian Prefect to Caracalla, probably conspired to have Caracalla murdered and proclaimed himself emperor after Caracalla's death; made his son Diadumenian co-emperor in May 218 AD

April 11, 217 AD – June 8, 218 AD

1 year, 1 month and 28 days

June 8, 218 AD (aged 53) Both executed in favour of Elagabalus

Elagabalus  MARCVS AVRELIVS ANTONINVS AVGVSTVS

c. 203 AD, Emesa, Syria

Grandnephew of Septimius Severus, first cousin once removed and alleged illegitimate son of Caracalla; proclaimed emperor by Syrian legions

June 8, 218 AD – March 11, 222 AD

3 years, 9 months and 3 days

March 11, 222 AD (aged 18) Murdered by Praetorian Guard

Severus Alexander  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS SEVERVS ALEXANDER AVGVSTVS

c. 207 AD, Arca Caesarea, Syria

Grandnephew of Septimius Severus, cousin and adoptive heir of Elagabalus

March 13, 222 AD – March 18, 235 AD

13 years and 5 days

March 18, 235 AD (aged 28) Murdered by the army

text: Gordian dynasty (235–285)[edit]

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Maximinus Thrax CAESAR GAIVS IVLIVS VERVS MAXIMINVS AVGVSTVS

c. 173 AD, Thrace or Moesia

Proclaimed emperor by German legions after the murder of Severus Alexander

March 20, 235 AD – June 238 AD

3 years, 3 months

June 238 AD (aged 65) Assassinated by Praetorian Guard

Gordian I  CAESAR MARCVS ANTONIVS GORDIANVS SEMPRONIANVS AFRICANVS AVGVSTVS

c. 159 AD, Phrygia?

Proclaimed emperor, whilst Pro-consul in Africa, during a revolt against Maximinus. Ruled jointly with his son Gordian II, and in opposition to Maximinus. Technically a usurper, but retrospectively legitimised by the accession of Gordian III

March 22, 238 AD – April 12, 238 AD

21 days

April 238 AD (aged 79) Committed suicide upon hearing of the death of Gordian II.

Gordian II  CAESAR MARCVS ANTONIVS GORDIANVS SEMPRONIANVS ROMANVS AFRICANVS AVGVSTVS

c. 192 AD, ?

Proclaimed emperor, alongside father Gordian I, in opposition to Maximinus by act of the Senate.

March 22, 238 AD – April 12, 238 AD

21 days

April 238 AD (aged 46) Killed during the Battle of Carthage, fighting a pro-Maximinus army

Pupienus  CAESAR MARCVS CLODIVS PVPIENVS MAXIMVS AVGVSTVS

c. 178 AD, ?

Proclaimed joint emperor with Balbinus by the Senate in opposition to Maximinus; later co-emperor with Balbinus.

April 22, 238 AD – July 29, 238 AD

3 months and 7 days

July 29, 238 AD (aged 68 or 73) Assassinated by the Praetorian Guard

Balbinus  CAESAR DECIMVS CAELIVS CALVINVS BALBINVS PIVS AVGVSTVS

?

Proclaimed joint emperor with Pupienus by the Senate after death of Gordian I and II, in opposition to Maximinus; later co-emperor with Pupienus and Gordian III

April 22, 238 AD – July 29, 238 AD

3 months and 7 days

July 29, 238 AD (aged 60) Assassinated by Praetorian Guard

Gordian III  CAESAR MARCVS ANTONIVS GORDIANVS AVGVSTVS

January 20, 225 AD, Rome

Proclaimed emperor by supporters of Gordian I and II, then by the Senate; joint emperor with Pupienus and Balbinus until July 238 AD; grandson and nephew of Gordian I and II, respectively

April 22, 238 AD – February 11, 244 AD

5 years, 9 months and 20 days

February 11, 244 AD (aged 19) Unknown; possibly murdered on orders of Philip I

Philip the Arab  CAESAR MARCVS IVLIVS PHILIPPVS AVGVSTVS  with Philip II
MARCVS IVLIVS SEVERVS PHILLIPVS AVGVSTVS

c. 204 AD, Shahba, Syria

Praetorian Prefect to Gordian III, took power after his death; made his son Philip II co-emperor in summer 247 AD

February 244 AD – September/October 249 AD

5 years

September/October 249 AD (aged 45) Killed in the Battle of Verona by Decius

Decius  CAESAR GAIVS MESSIVS QVINTVS TRAIANVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS  with Herennius Etruscus
QVINTVS HERENNIVS ETRVSCVS MESSIVS DECIVS AVGVSTVS

c. 201 AD, Budalia, Pannonia Inferior

Governor under Philip the Arab; proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions then defeating and killing Philip in the Battle of Verona; made his son Herennius Etruscus co-emperor in early 251 AD

September/ October 249 AD – June 251 AD

2 years

June 251 AD (aged 50) Both killed in the Battle of Abrittus fighting against the Goths

Hostilian  CAESAR CAIVS VALENS HOSTILIANVS MESSIVS QVINTVS AVGVSTVS

Sirmium

Son of Decius, accepted as heir by the Senate

June 251 AD – late 251 AD

4–5 months

September/October 251 AD (aged 21) Natural causes (plague)

Trebonianus Gallus  CAESAR GAIVS VIBIVS TREBONIANVS GALLVS AVGVSTVS  with Volusianus
GAIVS VIBIVS VOLVSIANVS AVGVSTVS

206 AD, Italia

Governor of Moesia Superior, proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions after Decius's death (and in opposition to Hostilian); made his son Volusianus co-emperor in late 251 AD.

June 251 AD – August 253 AD

2 years

August 253 AD (aged 47) Assassinated by their own troops, in favour of Aemilian

Aemilian CAESAR MARCVS AEMILIVS AEMILIANVS AVGVSTVS

c. 207 or 213 AD Africa

Governor of Moesia Superior, proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions after defeating the Goths; accepted as emperor after death of Gallus

August 253 AD – October 253 AD

2 months

September/October 253 AD (aged 40 or 46) Assassinated by his own troops, in favour of Valerian

Valerian  CAESAR PVBLIVS LICINIVS VALERIANVS AVGVSTVS

c. 195 AD

Governor of Noricum and Raetia, proclaimed emperor by Rhine legions after death of Gallus; accepted as emperor after death of Aemilian

October 253 AD – 260 AD

7 years

After 260 AD (aged at least 65) Captured in Battle of Edessa against Persians, died in captivity

Gallienus  CAESAR PVBLIVS LICINIVS EGNATIVS GALLIENVS AVGVSTVS  with Saloninus
PVBLIVS LICINIVS CORNELIVS SALONINVS VALERIANVS AVGVSTVS

218 AD

Son of Valerian, made co-emperor in 253 AD; his son Saloninus is very briefly co-emperor in c. July 260 before assassination by Postumus.

October 253 AD – September 268 AD

15 years

September 268 AD (aged 50) Murdered at Aquileia by his own commanders.

Claudius II  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CLAVDIVS AVGVSTVS

May 10, 210 AD, Sirmium

Victorious general at Battle of Naissus, seized power after Gallienus's death

September 268 AD – January 270 AD

1 year, 4 months

January 270 AD (aged 60) Natural causes (plague)

Quintillus  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CLAVDIVS QVINTILLVS AVGVSTVS

c.210 AD, Sirmium

Brother of Claudius II, seized power after his death

January 270 AD – September(?) 270 AD

Unknown

270 AD (aged around 60) Unclear; possibly suicide or murder

Aurelian  CAESAR LVCIVS DOMITIVS AVRELIANVS AVGVSTVS

September 9, 214 AD/215 AD, Sirmium

Proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions after Claudius II's death, in opposition to Quintillus

September(?) 270 AD –  September 275 AD

5 years

September 275 AD (aged 60-61) Assassinated by Praetorian Guard

Tacitus  CAESAR MARCVS CLAVDIVS TACITVS AVGVSTVS

c. 200, Interamna Nahars, Italia

Elected by the Senate to replace Aurelian, after a short interregnum

September 25, 275 AD – June 276 AD

9 months

June 276 AD (aged 76) Natural causes (possibly assassinated)

Florianus  CAESAR MARCVS ANNIVS FLORIANVS AVGVSTVS

?

Brother of Tacitus, elected by the army in the west to replace him

June 276 AD – September? 276 AD

3 months

September? 276 AD (aged ?) Assassinated by his own troops, in favour of Probus

Probus  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS PROBVS AVGVSTVS

232 AD, Sirmium

Governor of the eastern provinces, proclaimed emperor by Danubian legions in opposition to Florian

September? 276 AD – September/ October 282 AD

6 years

September/ October 282 AD (aged 50) Assassinated by his own troops, in favour of Carus

Carus  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CARVS AVGVSTVS

c. 230 AD, Narbo, Gallia Narbonensis

Praetorian Prefect to Probus; seized power either before or after Probus was murdered; made his son Carinus co-emperor in early 283 AD

September/ October 282 AD – late July/ early August 283 AD

10–11 months

Late July/August 283 AD (aged 61) Probably natural causes (Possibly killed by lightning)

Numerian  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS NVMERIVS NVMERIANVS AVGVSTVS

?

Son of Carus, succeeded him jointly with his brother Carinus

Late July/early August 283 AD – 284 AD?

1 year

284 AD (aged ?) Unclear; possibly assassinated

Carinus  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS CARINVS AVGVSTVS

?

Son of Carus, ruled shortly with him and then with his brother Numerian

Early 283 AD – 285 AD

2 years

285 AD (aged ?) Probably died in battle against Diocletian

text: The Dominate[edit]

text: Tetrarchy and Constantinian dynasty (284–364)[edit]

text: Note: To maintain control and improve administration, various schemes to divide the work of the Roman Emperor by sharing it between individuals were tried after 285. The "Tetrarchy" proclaimed by Diocletian in 293 split the empire into two halves each to be ruled separately by two emperors, a senior "Augustus", and a junior "Caesar".

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Diocletian  CAESAR GAIVS AVRELIVS VALERIVS DIOCLETIANVS AVGVSTVS
(EAST and WEST)
then, after 286
(EAST)

c. December 22, 244 AD, Salona

Proclaimed emperor by army after death of Numerian, and in opposition to Carinus; adopted Maximian as senior co-emperor in 286 AD

November 20, 284 AD – May 1, 305 AD

20 years, 5 months and 11 days

3 December 311 AD (aged 67) Abdicated; died of natural causes in Aspalatos

Maximian  CAESAR MARCVS AVRELIVS VALERIVS MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS
(WEST)

c. 250 AD, near Sirmium, Pannonia

Adopted as senior co-emperor ('Augustus') in the west by Diocletian in 286 AD

April 1, 286 AD – May 1, 305 AD

19 years and 1 month

310 AD (aged 60) Abdicated with Diocletian; twice tried to regain throne with, and then from Maxentius; captured by Constantine I and committed suicide at his behest

Galerius  CAESAR GAIVS GALERIVS VALERIVS MAXIMIANVS AVGVSTVS
(EAST)

c. 260 AD, Felix Romuliana, Moesia Superior

Adopted as junior co-emperor ('Caesar') and heir by Diocletian in 293 AD. Also son-in-law of Diocletian.

May 1, 305 AD – May 311 AD

6 years

311 AD (aged 51) Natural causes

Constantius Chlorus CAESAR MARCVS FLAVIVS VALERIVS CONSTANTIVS AVGVSTVS
(WEST)

March 31, c. 250 AD, Dardania, Moesia

Adopted as junior co-emperor ('Caesar') and heir by Maximian in 293 AD

May 1, 305 AD – July 25, 306 AD

1 year, 2 months and 24 days

306 AD (aged 56) Natural causes

Valerius Severus  FLAVIVS VALERIVS SEVERVS AVGVSTVS
(WEST)

?

Adopted as junior co-emperor ('Caesar') and heir by Constantius Chlorus in 305 AD; succeeded as Augustus in 306; opposed by Maxentius and Constantine I

Summer 306 AD – March/ April 307 AD

1 year

September 16, 307 AD (aged ?) Captured by Maxentius and forced to commit suicide (or murdered)

Constantine the Great  CAESAR FLAVIVS VALERIVS AVRELIVS CONSTANTINVS AVGVSTVS
(WEST)
then, after 324
(EAST and WEST)

February 27, c. 272 AD, Naissus, Moesia Superior

Son of Constantius I Chlorus, proclaimed emperor by his father's troops; accepted as Caesar (west) by Galerius in 306 AD; promoted to Augustus (west) in 307 AD by Maximian after death of Severus II; refused relegation to Caesar in 309 AD

July 25, 306 AD – May 22, 337 AD

30 years, 9 months and 27 days

May 22, 337 AD (aged 65) Natural causes

Maxentius  MARCVS AVRELIVS VALERIVS MAXENTIVS AVGVSTVS
(WEST)

c. 278 AD

Son of Maximian, seized power in 306 after death of Constantius I Chlorus, in opposition to Severus and Constantine I; made Caesar (west) by Maximian in 307 AD after the death of Severus

October 28, 306 AD – October 28, 312 AD

6 years

October 28, 312 AD (aged 34) Died at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, against Constantine I

Licinius I  CAESAR GAIVS VALERIVS LICINIVS AVGVSTVS
(EAST) with Valerius Valens
AVRELIVS VALERIVS VALENS
and Martinian
SEXTVS MARCIVS MARTININANVS

c. 250 AD, Felix Romuliana, Moesia Superior

Son-in-law of Constantius Chlorus, appointed Augustus in the west by Galerius in 308 AD, in opposition to Maxentius; became Augustus in the east in 311 AD after the death of Galerius (shared with Maximinus II); defeated Maximinus in civil war to become sole eastern Augustus in 313 AD; appointed Valerius Valens in 317 AD, and Sextus Martinian in 324 AD as western Augustus, in opposition to Constantine, both being executed within weeks.

November 11, 308 AD – September 18, 324 AD

15 years, 10 months and 7 days

325 AD (aged 61/62) Defeated in civil war against Constantine I in 324 AD and captured; executed on the orders of Constantine the next year

Maximinus II  CAESAR GALERIVS VALERIVS MAXIMINVS AVGVSTVS
(EAST)

November 20, c. 270 AD, Dacia Aureliana

Nephew of Galerius, adopted as Caesar and his heir in 305 AD; succeeded as Augustus (shared with Licinius I) in 311 AD

May 1, 311 AD – July/August 313 AD

2 years

July/August 313 AD (aged 42) Defeated in civil war against Licinius; probably committed suicide thereafter

Constantine II  CAESAR FLAVIVS CLAVDIVS CONSTANTINVS AVGVSTVS
(WEST)

316 AD, Arelate, Gallia Narbonensis

Son of Constantine I; appointed Caesar in 317 AD, succeeded as joint Augustus with his brothers Constantius II and Constans I

May 22, 337 AD – 340 AD

3 years

340 AD (aged 24) Died in battle against Constans I

Constantius II  CAESAR FLAVIVS IVLIVS CONSTANTIVS AVGVSTVS
(EAST)
then, after 356
(EAST and WEST)

August 7, 317 AD, Sirmium, Pannonia

Son of Constantine I; succeeded as joint Augustus with his brothers Constantine II and Constans I; sole emperor from 350 AD

May 22, 337 AD – November 3, 361 AD

24 years, 5 months and 12 days

361 AD (aged 44) Natural causes

Constans  CAESAR FLAVIVS IVLIVS CONSTANS AVGVSTVS
(MIDDLE)
then, after 340
(WEST)

c. 323 AD

Son of Constantine I; succeeded as joint Augustus with his brothers Constantine II and Constantius II

May 22, 337 AD – 350 AD

13 years

350 AD (aged 27) Assassinated on the orders of the usurper Magnentius

Vetranio  CAESAR FLAVIVS VETRANIO AVGVSTVS
(WEST)

?, Moesia

General of Constans, proclaimed Caesar against Magnentius and temporarily accepted as Augustus of the west by Constantius II.

March 1, 350 AD – December 25, 350 AD

9 months and 24 days

c. 356 AD (aged ?) As a private citizen, after abdication.

Julian  CAESAR FLAVIVS CLAVDIVS IVLIANVS AVGVSTVS
(WEST)
then, after 361
(EAST and WEST)

331 AD/332 AD, Constantinople, Thracia

Cousin of Constantius II; made Caesar of the west in 355 AD; proclaimed Augustus by his troops in 360; sole emperor after the death of Constantius

February 360 AD – June 26, 363 AD

3 years

June 26, 363 AD (aged 31/32) Mortally wounded in battle

Jovian  CAESAR FLAVIVS IOVIANVS AVGVSTVS
(EAST and WEST)

331 AD, Singidunum, Moesia

General of Julian's army; proclaimed emperor by the troops on Julian's death

June 26, 363 AD – February 17, 364 AD

7 months and 22 days

February 17, 364 AD (aged 33) Natural causes (suffocated on fumes)

text: Valentinian dynasty (364–392)[edit]

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Valentinian I  FLAVIVS VALENTINIANVS AVGVSTVS
(EAST and WEST)
then
(WEST)

321 AD, Cibalae, Pannonia

Elected to replace Jovian by the army

February 26, 364 AD – November 17, 375 AD

11 years, 8 months and 22 days

November 17, 375 AD (aged 54) Natural causes

Valens  FLAVIVS IVLIVS VALENS AVGVSTVS
(EAST)

328 AD, Cibalae, Pannonia

Brother of Valentinian I, appointed co-augustus (for the east) by him

March 28, 364 AD – August 9, 378 AD

14 years, 4 months and 12 days

August 9, 378 AD (aged 50) Killed in Battle of Adrianople against the Goths

Gratian  FLAVIVS GRATIANVS AVGVSTVS
(WEST)

April 18/May 23, 359 AD, Sirmium, Pannonia

Son of Valentinian I, appointed 'junior' Augustus by him in 367, became 'senior' augustus (for the west) after Valentinian's death.

August 4, 367 AD – August 25, 383 AD

16 years and 21 days

August 25, 383 AD (aged 24) Murdered by rebellious army faction

Valentinian II  FLAVIVS VALENTINIANVS INVICTVS AVGVSTVS
(WEST)

371 AD, Milan, Italia

Son of Valentinian I, proclaimed emperor by Pannonian army after Valentinian's death; accepted as co-Augustus for the west by Gratian

November 17, 375 AD – May 15, 392 AD

16 years, 5 months and 28 days

May 15, 392 AD (aged 21) Unclear; possibly murdered or committed suicide

text: Western Emperors[edit]

text: Theodosian dynasty (392–455)[edit]

text: Note: Theodosius I was the last person to rule both halves of the Roman Empire, splitting it between his sons Arcadius and Honorius on his death.

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Theodosius I  FLAVIVS THEODOSIVS AVGVSTVS

January 11, 347 AD, Cauca, Hispania

Son-in-law of Valentinian I, appointed as Augustus for the east by Gratian after the death of Valens; became sole 'senior' Augustus after death of Valentinian II

January 1, 379 AD – January 17, 395 AD

16 years and 16 days

January 17, 395 AD (aged 48) Natural causes

Magnus Maximus
FLAVIVS MAGNVS MAXIMVS AVGVSTVS with Flavius Victor
FLAVIVS VICTOR AVGVSTVS

c. 335 AD, Hispania

Usurper in the West; legitimized along with his son Victor by Theodosius I as emperors of Britannia and Gaul.

383/384 AD – August 28, 388 AD

4/5 years

August 28, 388 AD (aged 53) Executed by Theodosius I in Aquileia after the Battle of the Save; Victor killed by Arbogast

Honorius  FLAVIVS HONORIVS AVGVSTVS

September 9, 384 AD

Son of Theodosius I; appointed as 'junior' Augustus for the west by Theodosius in 393 (after the death of Valentinian II); became 'senior' Augustus for the west after his father's death

January 23, 393 AD – August 15, 423 AD

30 years, 6 months and 23 days

August 15, 423 AD (aged 38) Natural causes

Constantine III
FLAVIVS CLAVDIVS CONSTANTINVS AVGVSTVS with Constans II
CONSTANS AVGVSTVS

?

Usurper who declared himself emperor in the west in 407, recognized as co-emperor by Honorius in 409. Elevated his son Constans II to co-emperor in 409, who was not recognized by Honorius.

407/409 AD - August or September 411 AD

2 years

August or September 411 AD (aged ?) Executed by Constantius III

Constantius III  FLAVIVS CONSTANTIVS AVGVSTVS

?, Naissus, Moesia Superior

Married to Theodosius I's daughter Galla Placidia, elevated to co-Augustus for the west by Honorius

February 8, 421 AD – September 2, 421 AD

6 months and 25 days

September 2, 421 AD (aged ?) Natural causes

Joannes
IOHANNES AVGVSTVS

?

A senior civil servant under Honorius, proclaimed emperor by Castinus; not recognized by the Eastern Empire

August 27, 423 AD – May 425 AD

2 years

June or July 425 AD (aged ?) Defeated in battle by Theodosius II and Valentinian III, captured and executed

Valentinian III  FLAVIVS PLACIDIVS VALENTINIANVS AVGVSTVS

July 2, 419 AD, Ravenna, Italia

Son of Constantius III, appointed Caesar for the west by Theodosius II after the death of Honorius, in opposition to the regime of Joannes; became Augustus for the west after the defeat of Joannes

October 23, 424 AD – March 16, 455 AD

30 years, 4 months and 21 days

March 16, 455 AD (aged 35) Assassinated, possibly at the behest of Petronius Maximus

text: Last emperors of the Western Empire (455–476)[edit]

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Petronius Maximus  FLAVIVS ANICIVS PETRONIVS MAXIMVS AVGVSTVS

c. 396 AD

Son-in-law of Theodosius II, proclaimed himself emperor with the support of the army, after the death of Valentinian III. Not recognized by the Eastern Empire. He appointed his son Palladius as caesar.

March 17, 455 AD – May 31, 455 AD

2 months and 14 days

May 31, 455 AD (aged 58/59) Murdered, probably stoned to death by the Roman mob

Avitus  EPARCHIVS AVITVS AVGVSTVS

c. 385 AD

Magister militum under Petronius Maximus, proclaimed emperor by the Visigoth king Theoderic II after Petronius's death

July 9, 455 AD – October 17, 456 AD

1 year, 3 months and 8 days

after 17 October 456 AD (aged 71) Deposed by his Magister militum, Ricimer; became bishop of Placentia; murdered at some point afterwards

Majorian  FLAVIVS IVLIVS VALERIVS MAIORIANVS AVGVSTVS

November 420 AD

Proclaimed emperor by his troops. Recognized by the Eastern Empire at the behest of Ricimer.

April 457 AD – August 2, 461 AD

4 years

August 7, 461 AD (aged 40) Deposed and beheaded on the orders of Ricimer.

Libius Severus  FLAVIVS LIBIVS SEVERVS SERPENTIVS AVGVSTVS

?, Lucania, Italia

Appointed emperor by Ricimer. Not recognized by the Eastern Empire.

November 461 AD – August 465 AD

4 years

August 465 AD (aged 45) Probably poisoned by Ricimer

Anthemius  PROCOPIVS ANTHEMIVS AVGVSTVS

c. 420 AD

Son-in-law of Marcian, appointed emperor by Leo I, with the consent of Ricimer.

April 12, 467 AD – July 11, 472 AD

5 years, 2 months and 29 days

July 11, 472 AD (aged 52) Executed by Ricimer or Gundobad (Ricimer's nephew).

Olybrius  FLAVIVS ANICIVS OLYBRIVS AVGVSTVS

c. 420 AD

Son-in-law of Valentinian III; appointed emperor by Ricimer. Not recognized by the Eastern Empire.

July 11, 472 AD – November 2, 472 AD

3 months and 22 days

November 2, 472 AD (aged 41) Natural causes

Glycerius  FLAVIVS GLYCERIVS AVGVSTVS

?

Appointed emperor by Gundobad (Ricimer's successor). Not recognized by the Eastern Empire.

March 473 AD – June 474 AD

1 year

after 480 AD (aged ?) Deposed by Julius Nepos, became Bishop of Salona, time and manner of death unknown

Julius Nepos  FLAVIVS IVLIVS NEPOS AVGVSTVS

c. 430 AD

Nephew-in-law of the eastern emperor Leo I (and nephew of Marcellinus) appointed emperor in opposition to Glycerius

June 474 AD – August 28, 475 AD (in Italy); – spring 480 AD (in Gaul and Dalmatia)

1 year/6 years

480 AD (aged 50) Deposed in Italy by Flavius Orestes, ruled in balance of Western Empire until assassination in 480.  Maintained as figurehead in Italy by Odoacer to his death in 480.

Romulus Augustulus  ROMVLVS AVGVSTVS

c. 460 AD[b]

Appointed by his father, Orestes. Not recognized by the Eastern Empire.

October 31, 475 AD – September 4, 476 AD (in Italy)

10 months and 4 days

Unknown.  Regarded as emperor more from historical convention than accuracy, his rule never extended beyond portions of the Italian peninsula and was not recognized by Eastern Emperor Zeno.  Deposed by Odoacer, who then ruled in the name of Julius Nepos until the latter's death in 480, which formally ended the separate western empire; most likely lived out his life on a private villa in obscurity.

text: Note: The classical "Roman Empire" is usually said to have ended with the deposition of Romulus Augustulus, with its continuation in the east being referred to by modern scholars as the "Byzantine Empire".

text: Eastern (Byzantine) Emperors[edit]

text: Theodosian dynasty (379–457)[edit]

text:
Portrait

Name

Birth

Succession

Reign

Time in office

Death

Theodosius I  FLAVIVS THEODOSIVS AVGVSTVS

January 11, 347 AD, Cauca, Hispania

Son-in-law of Valentinian I, appointed as Augustus for the east by Gratian after the death of Valens; became sole 'senior' Augustus after death of Valentinian II

January 19, 379 AD – January 17, 395 AD

16 years and 16 days

January 17, 395 AD (aged 48) Natural causes

Arcadius  FLAVIVS ARCADIVS AVGVSTVS

c. 377 AD, Hispania

Son of Theodosius I; appointed as 'junior' Augustus for the east by Theodosius in 383; became 'senior' Augustus for the east after his father's death

January 383 AD – May 1, 408 AD

25 years

May 1, 408 AD (aged 31) Natural causes

Theodosius II  FLAVIVS THEODOSIVS AVGVSTVS

April 10, 401 AD, Constantinople

Son of Arcadius; appointed as 'junior' Augustus for the east by Arcadius in 402; became 'senior' Augustus for the east after his father's death

January 402 AD – July 28, 450 AD

48 years

July 28, 450 AD (aged 49) Injuries suffered during a hunting accident

Marcian  FLAVIVS MARCIANVS AVGVSTVS

396, Thrace or Illyria

Nominated as successor (and husband) by Pulcheria, sister of Theodosius II

Summer 450 AD – January 457 AD

7 years

January 457 AD (aged 65) Gout

text: Leonid dynasty (457–518)[edit]

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Leo I the Thracian(Λέων Αʹ ὁ Θρᾷξ) FLAVIVS VALERIVS LEO AVGVSTVS

7 February 457 –18 January 474
Born in Dacia ca. 400, and of Thracian Bessian origin, Leo became a low-ranking officer and served as an attendant of the Gothic commander-in-chief of the army, Aspar, who chose him as emperor on Marcian's death. He was the first emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople. His reign was marked by the pacification of the Danube frontier and peace with Persia, which allowed him to intervene in the affairs of the western empire, supporting candidates for the throne and dispatching an expedition to recover Carthage from the Vandals in 468. Initially a puppet of Aspar, Leo began promoting the Isaurians as a counterweight to Aspar's Goths, marrying his daughter Ariadne to the Isaurian leader Tarasicodissa (Zeno). With their support, in 471 Aspar was murdered and Gothic power over the army was broken.[11]

Leo II(Λέων Β)FLAVIVS LEO AVGVSTVS

18 January –17 November 474
Born ca. 467, he was the grandson of Leo I by Leo's daughter Ariadne and her Isaurian husband, Zeno. Raised to Caesar and then co-emperor in autumn 473, soon after his accession Leo II crowned his father Zeno as co-emperor and effective regent. Died shortly after, possibly poisoned.[12]

Zeno(Ζήνων)FLAVIVS ZENO AVGVSTVS

17 November 474 –9 April 491
Born ca. 425 in Isauria, originally named Tarasicodissa. As the leader of Leo I's Isaurian soldiers, he rose to comes domesticorum, married the emperor's daughter Ariadne and took the name Zeno, and played a crucial role in the elimination of Aspar and his Goths. He was named co-emperor by his son on 9 February 474, and became sole ruler upon the latter's death, but had to flee to his native country before Basiliscus in 475, regaining control of the capital in 476. Zeno concluded peace with the Vandals, saw off challenges against him by Illus and Verina, and secured peace in the Balkans by enticing the Ostrogoths under Theodoric the Great to migrate to Italy. Zeno's reign also saw the end of the western line of emperors. His pro-Monophysite stance made him unpopular and his promulgation of the Henotikon resulted in the Acacian Schism with the papacy.[13]

Basiliscus(Βασιλίσκος)FLAVIVS BASILISCVS AVGVSTVS

9 January 475 –August 476
General and brother-in-law of Leo I, he seized power from Zeno but was again deposed by him. Died in 476/477

Anastasius I(Ἀναστάσιος)FLAVIVS ANASTASIVS AVGVSTVS

11 April 491 –9 July 518
Son-in-law of Leo I, born ca. 430 at Dyrrhachium and of Illyrian origin, he was a palace official (silentiarius) when he was chosen as her husband and Emperor by Empress-dowager Ariadne. He was nicknamed "Dikoros", because of his heterochromia. Anastasius reformed the tax system and the Byzantine coinage and proved a frugal ruler, so that by the end of his reign he left a substantial surplus. His Monophysite sympathies led to wideaspread opposition, most notably the Revolt of Vitalian and the Acacian Schism. His reign was also marked by the first Bulgar raids into the Balkans and by a war with Persia over the foundation of Dara. He died childless and became the last Roman Emperor to be deified on his death.[14]

text: Justinian dynasty (518–602)[edit]

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Justin I  (Ἰουστῖνος)FLAVIVS IVSTINVS AVGVSTVS

July 518 –1 August 527
Born c. 450 at Bederiana (Justiniana Prima), Dardania to Thraco-Illyrian parents. Officer and commander of the Excubitors bodyguard under Anastasius I, he was elected by army and people upon the death of Anastasius I.

Justinian I  (Φλάβιος Πέτρος Σαββάτιος Ἰουστινιανός)FLAVIVS PETRVS SABBATIVS IVSTINIANVS AVGVSTVS

1 August 527 –13/14 November 565
Born in 482/483 at Tauresium (Taor), Dardania. Nephew of Justin I, possibly raised to co-emperor on 1 April 527. Succeeded on Justin I's death. Retained power despite the Nika Riots of 532. Justinian's supreme general, Belisarius, reconquered much of Eastern and Central Europe from the Ostrogoths. Contracted the Bubonic Plague and fell into a coma. Empress Theodora acted as regent during Justinian's coma. Regarded by some as the last Roman emperor.

Justin II  (Φλάβιος Ἰουστῖνος ὁ νεώτερος)FLAVIVS IVSTINVS IVNIOR AVGVSTVS

14 November 565 –5 October 578
Born c. 520. Nephew of Justinian I, he seized the throne on the death of Justinian I with support of army and Senate. Became insane, hence in 573–574 under the regency of his wife Sophia, and in 574–578 under the regency of Tiberius Constantine.

Tiberius II Constantine FLAVIVS TIBERIVS CONSTANTINVS AVGVSTVS
5 October 578 –14 August 582
Born c. 535, commander of the Excubitors, friend and adoptive son of Justin. Was named Caesar and regent in 574. Succeeded on Justin II's death.

Maurice  (Φλάβιος Μαυρίκιος Τιβέριος Αὔγουστος)FLAVIVS MAURICVS TIBERIVS AVGVSTVS

14 August 582 –22 November 602
Born in 539 at Arabissus, Cappadocia. Became an official and later a general. Married the daughter of Tiberius II and succeeded him upon his death. Named his son Theodosius as co-emperor in 590. Deposed by Phocas and executed on 27 November 602 at Chalcedon.

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Phocas (Φωκᾶς)  FLAVIVS PHOCAS AVGVSTVS

23 November 602 –4 October 610
Subaltern in the Balkan army, he led a rebellion that deposed Maurice. Increasingly unpopular and tyrannical, he was deposed and executed by Heraclius.

text: Heraclian dynasty (610–695)[edit]

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Heraclius  (Ἡράκλειος)
FLAVIVS HERACLIVS AVGVSTVS

5 October 610 –11 February 641
Born c. 575 as the eldest son of the Exarch of Africa, Heraclius the Elder. Began a revolt against Phocas in 609 and deposed him in October 610. Brought the Byzantine-Sassanid War of 602–628 to successful conclusion but was unable to stop the Muslim conquest of Syria. Officially replaced Latin with Greek as the language of administration and in 629 introduced the new title basileus Rhomaíōn.

Constantine III  (Κωνσταντίνος Γʹ)
Formally: "Heraclius New Constantine"
(Ἡράκλειος νέος Κωνσταντῖνο)
HERACLIVS NOVVS CONSTANTINVS

11 February –24/26 May 641
Born on 3 May 612 as the eldest son of Heraclius by his first wife Fabia Eudokia. Named co-emperor in 613, he succeeded to throne with his younger brother Heraklonas following the death of Heraclius. Died of tuberculosis, allegedly poisoned by Empress-dowager Martina.

Heraklonas  (Ἡρακλωνᾶς)
Formally: "Constantine Heraclius"
(Κωνσταντίνος Ἡράκλειος)
CONSTANTINVS HERACLIVS

11 February 641 –September 641
Born in 626 to Heraclius' second wife Martina, named co-emperor in 638. Succeeded to throne with Constantine III following the death of Heraclius. Sole emperor after the death of Constantine III, under the regency of Martina, but was forced to name Constans II co-emperor by the army, and was deposed by the Senate in September 641.

Constans II (Κῶνστας Βʹ)
Formally: "Constantine the Bearded"
(Κωνσταντίνος ὁ Πωγωνάτος)

September 641 –15 September 668
Born on 7 November 630, the son of Constantine III. Raised to co-emperor in summer 641 after his father's death, he became sole emperor after the forced abdication of his uncle Heraklonas. Baptized Heraclius, he reigned as Constantine. "Constans" is his nickname. Moved his seat to Syracuse, where he was assassinated, possibly on the orders of Mezezius. He was the first (and until 1423, the only) emperor to visit Rome after the Fall of the Western Roman Empire.

Constantine IV (Κωνσταντίνος Δʹ ὁ Πωγωνάτος)
15 September 668 –September 685
Born in 652, he succeeded following the murder of his father Constans II. Erroneously called "Constantine the Bearded" by historians through confusion with his father. He repelled the First Arab Siege of Constantinople, and died of dysentery.

Justinian II (Ἰουστινιανὸς Βʹ ὁ Ῥινότμητος)
September 685 –695
Born in 669, he was named co-emperor in 681 and became sole emperor upon Constantine IV's death. Deposed by military revolt in 695, mutilated (hence his surname) and exiled to Cherson, whence he recovered his throne in 705.

text: Twenty Years' Anarchy (695–717)[edit]

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Leontios (Λεόντιος)
695–698
General from Isauria, he deposed Justinian II and was overthrown in another revolt in 698. He was executed in February 706.

Tiberius III (Τιβέριος Γʹ Ἀψίμαρος)
698–705
Admiral of Germanic origin, originally named Apsimar. He rebelled against Leontios after a failed expedition. Reigned under the name of Tiberius until deposed by Justinian II in 705. Executed in February 706.

Justinian II (Ἰουστινιανὸς Βʹ ὁ Ῥινότμητος)
(second reign)

August 705 –December 711
Returned on the throne with Bulgar support. Named son Tiberius as co-emperor in 706. Deposed and killed by military revolt.

Philippikos Bardanes(Φιλιππικὸς Βαρδάνης)
December 711 –3 June 713
A general of Armenian origin, he deposed Justinian II and was in turn overthrown by a revolt of the Opsician troops.

Anastasios II(Ἀναστάσιος Βʹ)
June 713 –November 715
Originally named Artemios. A bureaucrat and secretary under Philippikos, he was raised to the purple by the soldiers who overthrew Philippikos. Deposed by another military revolt, he led an abortive attempt to regain the throne in 718 and was killed.

Theodosios III(Θεοδόσιος Γʹ)
May 715 –25 March 717
A fiscal official, he was proclaimed emperor by the rebellious Opsician troops. Entered Constantinople in November 715. Abdicated following the revolt of Leo the Isaurian and became a monk.

text: Isaurian dynasty (717–802)[edit]

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Leo III the Isaurian(Λέων Γʹ ὁ Ἴσαυρος)
25 March 717 –18 June 741
Born c. 685 in Germanikeia, Commagene, he became a general. Rose in rebellion and secured the throne in spring 717. Repelled the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople and initiated the Byzantine Iconoclasm.

Constantine V(Κωνσταντίνος Εʹ ὁ Κοπρώνυμος)
18 June 741 –14 September 775
Born in July 718, the only son of Leo III. Co-emperor since 720, he succeeded upon his father's death. After overcoming the usurpation of Artabasdos, he continued his father's iconoclastic policies and won several victories against the Arabs and the Bulgars.  He is given the surname "the Dung-named" by hostile later chroniclers.

Artabasdos(Ἀρτάβασδος)
June 741/742 –2 November 743
General and son-in-law of Leo III, Count of the Opsician Theme. Led a revolt that secured Constantinople, but was defeated and deposed by Constantine V, who blinded and tonsured him.

Leo IV the Khazar(Λέων Δʹ ὁ Χάζαρος)
14 September 775 –8 September 780
Born on 25 January 750 as the eldest son of Constantine V. Co-emperor since 751, he succeeded upon his father's death.

Constantine VI(Κωνσταντίνος ΣΤʹ)
8 September 780 –August 797
Born in 771, the only child of Leo IV. Co-emperor in 776, sole emperor upon Leo's death in 780, until 790 under the regency of his mother, Irene of Athens. He was overthrown on Irene's orders, blinded and imprisoned, probably dying of his wounds shortly after.

Irene of Athens(Εἰρήνη ἡ Αθηναία)
August 797 –31 October 802
Born c. 752 in Athens, she married Leo IV. Regent for her son Constantine VI in 780–790, she overthrew him in 797 and became empress-regnant. Deposed in a palace coup in 802, she was exiled and died on 9 August 803.

text: Nikephorian dynasty (802–813)[edit]

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Nikephoros I(Νικηφόρος Αʹ ὁ Λογοθέτης)
31 October 802 –26 July 811
General Logothete (finance minister) under Irene, led initially successful campaigns against the Bulgars but was killed at the Battle of Pliska.

Staurakios(Σταυράκιος)
26 July 811 –2 October 811
Only son of Nikephoros I, crowned co-emperor in December 803. Succeeded on his father's death; however, he had been heavily wounded at Pliska and left paralyzed. He was forced to resign, and retired to a monastery where he died soon after.

Michael I Rangabe(Μιχαὴλ Αʹ Ῥαγγαβέ)
2 October 811 –22 June 813
Son-in-law of Nikephoros I, he succeeded Staurakios on his abdication. Resigned after the revolt under Leo the Armenian and retired to a monastery, where he died on 11 January 844. Reigned with eldest son Theophylact as co-emperor.

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Leo V the Armenian(Λέων Εʹ ὁ Ἀρμένιος)
11 July 813 –25 December 820
General of Armenian origin, born c. 775. He rebelled against Michael I and became emperor. Appointed his son Symbatios co-emperor under the name of Constantine on Christmas 813. Revived Byzantine Iconoclasm. Murdered by a conspiracy led by Michael the Amorian.

text: Amorian dynasty (820–867)[edit]

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Michael II(Μιχαὴλ Βʹ ὁ ἐξ Ἀμορίου)
25 December 820 –2 October 829
Born in 770 at Amorium, he became an army officer. A friend of Leo V, he was raised to high office but led the conspiracy that murdered him. Survived the rebellion of Thomas the Slav, lost Crete to the Arabs and faced the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Sicily, reinforced iconoclasm.

Theophilos(Θεόφιλος)
2 October 829 –20 January 842
Born in 813, as the only son of Michael II. Co-emperor since 821, he succeeded on his father's death.

Michael III(Μιχαὴλ Γʹ ὁ Μέθυσος)
20 January 842 –23 September 867
Born on 19 January 840, he succeeded on Theophilos' death. Under the regency of his mother Theodora until 856, and under the effective control of his uncle Bardas in 862–866. Ended iconoclasm. Murdered by Basil the Macedonian. A pleasure-loving ruler, he was nicknamed "the Drunkard" by later, pro-Basil chroniclers .

text: Macedonian dynasty (867–1056)[edit]

text:
Name

Reign

Comments

Basil I the Macedonian(Βασίλειος Αʹ ὁ Μακεδών)
867 –2 August 886
Born in the Theme of Macedonia ca. 811, he rose in prominence through palace service, becoming a favourite of Michael III. He overthrew Michael and established the Macedonian dynasty. He led successful wars in the East against the Arabs and the Paulicians, and recovered southern Italy for the Empire.

Leo VI the Wise(Λέων ΣΤʹ ὁ Σοφὸς)
886 –11 May 912
Born on 19 September 866, likely either son of Basil I or Michael III, Leo was known for his erudition. His reign saw a height in Saracen (Muslim) naval raids, culminating in the Sack of Thessalonica, and was marked by unsuccessful wars against the Bulgarians under Simeon I. He was the last emperor to hold the Consulate.

Alexander(Ἀλέξανδρος)
11 May 912 –6 June 913
Son of Basil I, Alexander was born in 870 and raised to co-emperor in 879. Sidelined by Leo VI, Alexander dismissed his brother's principal aides on his accession. He died of exhaustion after a polo game.

Constantine VII(Κωνσταντίνος Ζʹ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)
6 June 913 –9 November 959
The son of Leo VI, he was born on 17/18 May 905 and raised to co-emperor on 15 May 908. His early reign was dominated by successive regencies, first by his mother, Zoe Karbonopsina, and Patriarch Nicholas Mystikos, and from 919 by the admiral Romanos Lekapenos, who wedded his daughter to Constantine and was crowned senior emperor in 920. Constantine was sidelined during the Lekapenos regime, but asserted his control by deposing Romanos's sons in early 945. His reign was marked by struggles with Sayf al-Dawla in the East and an unsuccessful campaign against Crete, and pro-aristocratic policies that saw a partial reversal of Lekapenos' legislation against the dynatoi. He is notable for his promotion of the "Macedonian Renaissance", sponsoring encyclopaedic works and histories. He was a prolific writer himself, best remembered for the manuals on statecraft (De administrando imperio) and ceremonies (De ceremoniis) he compiled for his son, Romanos II.[15]

Romanos I Lekapenos(Ῥωμανὸς Αʹ Λεκαπηνὸς)
17 December 920 –16 December 944
An admiral of lowly origin, Romanos rose to power as a protector of the young Constantine VII against the general Leo Phokas the Elder. After becoming the emperor's father-in-law, he successively assumed higher offices until he crowned himself senior emperor. His reign was marked by the end of warfare with Bulgaria and the great conquests of John Kourkouas in the East. Romanos promoted his sons Christopher, Stephen and Constantine as co-emperors over Constantine VII, but was himself overthrown by the latter two and confined to an island as a monk. He died there on 15 June 948.

Romanos II(Ῥωμανὸς Βʹ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)
9 November 959 –15 March 963
The only surviving son of Constantine VII, he was born on 15 March 938 and succeeded his father on the latter's death. He ruled until his own death, although the government was led mostly by the eunuch Joseph Bringas. His reign was marked by successful warfare in the East against Sayf al-Dawla and the recovery of Crete by general Nikephoros Phokas.

Nikephoros II Phokas(Νικηφόρος Βʹ Φωκᾶς)
16 August 963 –11 December 969
The most successful general of his generation, Nikephoros II was born ca. 912 to the powerful Phokas clan. After the death of Romanos II, he rose to the throne with the support of the army and people as regent for the young emperors Basil II and Constantine VIII, marrying the empress-dowager Theophano. Throughout his reign he led campaigns in the East, conquering much of Syria. He was murdered by his nephew and one-time associate John Tzimiskes.

John I Tzimiskes(Ἰωάννης Αʹ Κουρκούας ὁ Τσιμισκὴς)
11 December 969 –10 January 976
Nephew of Nikephoros Phokas, Tzimiskes was born ca. 925. A successful general, he fell out with his uncle and led a conspiracy of disgruntled generals who murdered him. Tzimiskes succeeded Nikephoros as emperor and regent for the young sons of Romanos II. As ruler, Tzimiskes crushed the Rus' in Bulgaria and ended the Bulgarian tsardom before going on to campaign in the East, where he died.

Basil II(Βασίλειος Βʹ ὁ Βουλγαροκτόνος)
10 January 976 –15 December 1025
Eldest son of Romanos II, Basil was born in 958. The first decade of his reign was marked by rivalry with the powerful Basil Lekapenos, an unsuccessful war against Bulgaria, and rebellions by generals in Asia Minor. Basil solidified his position through a marriage alliance with Vladimir I of Kiev, and after suppressing the revolts, he embarked on his conquest of Bulgaria. Bulgaria was finally subdued in 1018 after over 20 years of war, interrupted only by sporadic warfare in Syria against the Fatimids. Basil also expanded Byzantine control over most of Armenia. His reign is widely considered as the apogee of medieval Byzantium.

Constantine VIII(Κωνσταντίνος Ηʹ ὁ Πορφυρογέννητος)
15 December 1025 –15 November 1028
The second son of Romanos II, Constantine was born in 960 and raised to co-emperor in March 962. During the rule of Basil II, he spent his time in idle pleasure. During his short reign he was an indifferent ruler, easily influenced by his courtiers and suspicious of plots to depose him, especially among the military aristocracy, many of whom were blinded and exiled. On his deathbed, he chose Romanos Argyros as husband for his daughter Zoe.[16]

Zoe Porphyrogenita(Ζωὴ Πορφυρογέννητη)
15 November 1028 –June 1050
The daughter of Constantine VIII, she succeeded on her father's death, as the only surviving member of the Macedonian dynasty, along with her sister Theodora. Her three husbands, Romanos III (1028–1034), Michael IV (1034–1041) and Constantine IX (1042–1050) ruled alongside her.

Romanos III Argyros(Ῥωμανὸς Γʹ Ἀργυρὸς)
15 November 1028 –11 April 1034
Born in 968, the elderly aristocrat Romanos was chosen by Constantine VIII on his deathbed as Zoe's husband and succeeded on the throne after Constantine's death a few days later.

Michael IV the Paphlagonian(Μιχαὴλ Δʹ ὁ Παφλαγὼν)
11 April 1034 –10 December 1041
Born in 1010, he became a lover of Zoe even while Romanos III was alive, and succeeded him upon his death as her husband and emperor. Aided by his older brother, the eunuch John the Orphanotrophos, his reign was moderately successful against internal rebellions, but his attempt to recover Sicily failed. He died after a long illness.

Michael V Kalaphates(Μιχαὴλ Εʹ ὁ Καλαφάτης)
10 December 1041 –20 April 1042
Born in 1015, he was the nephew and adopted son of Michael IV. During his reign he tried to sideline Zoe, but a popular revolt forced him to restore her as empress on 19 April 1042, along with her sister Theodora. He was deposed the next day, blinded, castrated and tonsured, dying on 24 August 1042.

Theodora(Θεοδώρα)
19 April 1042 –after 31 August 1056
The younger sister of Zoe, born in 984, she was raised as co-ruler on 19 April 1042. After Zoe married her third husband, Constantine IX, in June 1042, Theodora was again sidelined. After Zoe died in 1050 and Constantine in 1055, Theodora assumed full governance of the Empire and reigned until her death. She nominated Michael VI as her successor.

Constantine IX Monomachos(Κωνσταντίνος Θʹ Μονομάχος)
11 June 1042 –7/8 or 11 January 1055
Born ca. 1000 of noble origin, he had an undistinguished life but was exiled to Lesbos by Michael IV, returning when he was chosen as Zoe's third husband. Constantine supported the mercantile classes and favoured the company of intellectuals, thereby alienating the military aristocracy. A pleasure-loving ruler, he lived an extravagant life with his favourite mistresses and endowed a number of monasteries, chiefly the Nea Moni of Chios and the Mangana Monastery. His reign was marked by invasions by the Pechenegs in the Balkans and the Seljuk Turks in the East, the revolts of George Maniakes and Leo Tornikios, and the Great Schism between the patriarchates of Rome and Constantinople.[17]

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Michael VI Bringas(Μιχαὴλ ΣΤʹ Βρίγγας, ὁ Στρατιωτικός, ὁ Γέρων)
September 1056 –31 August 1057
A court bureaucrat and military logothete (hence his first sobriquet). Deposed by military revolt under Isaac Komnenos, he retired to a monastery where he died in 1059.

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Isaac I Komnenos(Ἰσαάκιος Αʹ Κομνηνὸς)
5 June 1057 –22 November 1059
Born c. 1005. A successful general, he rose in revolt leading the eastern armies and was declared Emperor; he was recognized after the abdication of Michael VI on 31 August 1057. He resigned in 1059 and died c. 1061.

text: Doukid dynasty (1059–1081)[edit]

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Constantine X Doukas(Κωνσταντίνος Ιʹ Δούκας)
24 November 1059 –22 May 1067
Born in 1006, he became a general and close ally of Isaac Komnenos, and succeeded him as emperor on his abdication. Named his sons Michael, Andronikos and Konstantios as co-emperors

Michael VII Doukas(Μιχαὴλ Ζʹ Δούκας)
22 May 1067 –24 March 1078
Born in 1050 as the eldest son of Constantine X. Co-emperor since 1059, he succeeded on his father's death. Due to his minority he was under the regency of his mother, Eudokia Makrembolitissa, in 1067–1068, and relegated to junior emperor under her second husband Romanos IV Diogenes in 1068–1071. Senior emperor in 1071–1078, he named his son Constantine co-emperor alongside his brothers. He abdicated before the revolt of Nikephoros Botaneiates, retired to a monastery and died c. 1090.

Romanos IV Diogenes(Ῥωμανὸς Δʹ Διογένης)
1 January 1068 –24 October 1071
Born in 1032, a successful general he married empress-dowager Eudokia Makrembolitissa and became senior emperor as guardian of her sons by Constantine X. Deposed by the Doukas partisans after the Battle of Manzikert, blinded in June 1072 and exiled. He died soon after.

Nikephoros III Botaneiates(Νικηφόρος Γʹ Βοτανειάτης)
31 March 1078 –4 April 1081
Born in 1001, he was the strategos of the Anatolic Theme. He rebelled against Michael VII and was welcomed into the capital. He weathered several revolts, but was overthrown by the Komnenos clan. He retired to a monastery where he died on 10 December of the same year (1081).

text: Komnenid dynasty (1081–1185)[edit]

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Alexios I Komnenos(Ἀλέξιος Αʹ Κομνηνὸς)
4 April 1081 –15 August 1118
Born in 1056, a nephew of Isaac I Komnenos. A distinguished general, he overthrew Nikephoros III. His reign was dominated by wars against the Normans and the Seljuk Turks, as well as the arrival of the First Crusade and the establishment of independent Crusader states. He retained Constantine Doukas as co-emperor until 1087 and named his eldest son John co-emperor in 1092.

John II Komnenos(Ἰωάννης Βʹ Κομνηνὸς)
15 August 1118 –8 April 1143
Born on 13 September 1087 as the eldest son of Alexios I. Co-emperor since 1092, he succeeded upon his father's death. His reign was focused on wars with the Turks. A popular and frugal ruler, he was known as "John the Good". Named his eldest son Alexios co-emperor in 1122, but he died before him.

Manuel I Komnenos(Μανουὴλ Αʹ Κομνηνὸς)
1143 –24 September 1180
Born on 28 November 1118 as the third and youngest son of John II, he was chosen as emperor over his elder brother Isaac by his father on his deathbed. An energetic ruler, he launched campaigns against the Turks, humbled Hungary, achieved supremacy over the Crusader states, and tried unsuccessfully to recover Italy. His extravagance and constant campaigning, however, depleted the Empire's resources.

Alexios II Komnenos(Ἀλέξιος B' Κομνηνὸς)
24 September 1180 –October 1183
Born on 14 September 1169 as the only son of Manuel I. In 1180–1182 under the regency of his mother, Maria of Antioch. She was overthrown by Andronikos I Komnenos, who became co-emperor and finally had Alexios II deposed and killed.

Andronikos I Komnenos(Ἀνδρόνικος Αʹ Κομνηνὸς)
1183 –11 September 1185
Born c. 1118, a nephew of John II by his brother Isaac. A general, he was imprisoned for conspiring against John II, but escaped and spent 15 years in exile in various courts in eastern Europe and the Middle East. He seized the regency from Maria of Antioch in 1182 and subsequently the throne from his nephew Alexios II. An unpopular ruler, he was overthrown and lynched in a popular uprising.

text: Angelid dynasty (1185–1204)[edit]

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Isaac II Angelos(Ἰσαάκιος Βʹ Ἄγγελος)
1185–1195
Born in September 1156, Isaac came to the throne at the head of a popular revolt against Andronikos I. His reign was marked by revolts and wars in the Balkans, especially against a resurgent Bulgaria. He was deposed, blinded and imprisoned by his elder brother, Alexios III.

Alexios III Angelos(Ἀλέξιος Γʹ Ἄγγελος)
1195 –17/18 July 1203
Born in 1153, Alexios was the elder brother of Isaac II. His reign was marked by misgovernment and the increasing autonomy of provincial magnates. He was deposed by the Fourth Crusade and fled Constantinople, roaming Greece and Asia Minor, searching for support to regain his throne. He died in Nicaean captivity in 1211.

Isaac II Angelos (Ἰσαάκιος Βʹ Ἄγγελος)
(second reign)

18 July 1203 –27/28 January 1204
Restored to his throne by the Crusaders, actual rule fell to his son Alexios IV. Due to their failure to deal with the Crusaders' demands, he was deposed by Alexios V Doukas in January 1204 and died on 28 January 1204, perhaps of poison.

Alexios IV Angelos(Ἀλέξιος Δʹ Ἄγγελος)
1 August 1203 –27/28 January 1204
Born in 1182, the son of Isaac II. He enlisted the Fourth Crusade to return his father to the throne, and reigned alongside his restored father. Due to their failure to deal with the Crusaders' demands, he was deposed by Alexios V Doukas in January 1204, and was strangled on 8 February.

Alexios V Doukas(Ἀλέξιος Εʹ Δούκας ὁ Μούρτζουφλος)
5 February 1204 –13 April 1204
Born in 1140, the son-in-law of Alexios III and a prominent aristocrat, he deposed Isaac II and Alexios IV in a palace coup. He tried to repel the Crusaders, but they captured Constantinople forcing him to flee. He joined the exiled Alexios III, but was later blinded by the latter. Captured by the Crusaders, he was executed in December 1205.

text: Laskarid dynasty (1204–1261) (Empire of Nicaea)[edit]

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Theodore I Laskaris(Θεόδωρος Αʹ Λάσκαρις)
1205–December 1221/1222
Born c. 1174, he rose to prominence as a son-in-law of Alexios III. His brother Constantine Laskaris was elected emperor by the citizens of Constantinople on the day the city fell to the Crusaders; he later fled to Nicaea, where Theodore organized the Greek resistance to the Latins. Proclaimed emperor after Constantine's death in 1205, Theodore was crowned only in 1208. He managed to stop the Latin advance in Asia and to repel Seljuk attacks, establishing the Empire of Nicaea as the strongest of the Greek successor states.

John III Doukas Vatatzes(Ἰωάννης Γʹ Δούκας Βατάτζης)
15 December 1221/1222–3 November 1254
Born c. 1192, he became the son-in-law and successor of Theodore I in 1212. A capable ruler and soldier, he expanded his state in Bithynia, Thrace and Macedonia at the expense of the Latin Empire, Bulgaria and the rival Greek state of Epirus.

Theodore II Laskaris(Θεόδωρος Βʹ Λάσκαρις)
3 November 1254–18 August 1258
Born in 1221/1222 as the only son of John III, he succeeded on his father's death. His reign was marked by his hostility towards the major houses of the aristocracy, and by his victory against Bulgaria and the subsequent expansion into and Albania.

John IV Laskaris(Ἰωάννης Δʹ Λάσκαρις)
18 August 1258–25 December 1261
Born on 25 December 1250 as the only son of Theodore II, he succeeded on his father's death. Due to his minority, the regency was exercised at first by George Mouzalon until his assassination, and then by Michael Palaiologos, who within months was crowned senior emperor. After the recovery of Constantinople in August 1261, Palaiologos sidelined John IV completely, had him blinded and imprisoned. John IV died c. 1305.

text: Palaiologan dynasty (1261–1453)[edit]

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Michael VIII Palaiologos(Μιχαὴλ Ηʹ Παλαιολόγος)
1 January 1259–11 December 1282
Born in 1223, great-grandson of Alexios III, grandnephew of John III by marriage. Senior emperor alongside John IV in 1259, sole emperor since 25 December 1261.

Andronikos II Palaiologos(Ἀνδρόνικος Βʹ Παλαιολόγος)
11 December 1282–24 May 1328
Son of Michael VIII, he was born on 25 March 1259. Named co-emperor in September 1261, crowned in 1272, he succeeded as sole emperor on Michael's death. Favouring monks and intellectuals, he neglected the army, and his reign saw the collapse of the Byzantine position in Asia Minor. He named his son Michael IX co-emperor. In a protracted civil war, he was first forced to recognize his grandson Andronikos III as co-emperor and was then deposed outright. He died on 13 February 1332.

Andronikos III Palaiologos(Ἀνδρόνικος Γʹ Παλαιολόγος)
24 May 1328–15 June 1341
Son of Michael IX, he was born on 25 March 1297 and named co-emperor in 1316. Rival emperor since July 1321, he deposed his grandfather Andronikos II in 1328 and ruled as sole emperor until his death. Supported by John Kantakouzenos, his reign saw defeats against the Ottoman emirate but successes in Europe, where Epirus and Thessaly were recovered.

John V Palaiologos(Ἰωάννης Εʹ Παλαιολόγος)
15 June 1341–12 August 1376
Only son of Andronikos III, he had not been crowned co-emperor or declared heir at his father's death, a fact which led to the outbreak of a destructive civil war between his regents and his father's closest aide, John VI Kantakouzenos, who was crowned co-emperor. The conflict ended in 1347 with Kantakouzenos recognized as senior emperor, but he was deposed by John V in 1354, during another civil war. Matthew Kantakouzenos, raised by John VI to co-emperor, was also deposed in 1357. John V appealed to the West for aid against the Ottomans, but in 1371 he was forced to recognize Ottoman suzerainty. He was deposed in 1376 by his son Andronikos IV.

John VI Kantakouzenos(Ἰωάννης ΣΤʹ Καντακουζηνός)
8 February 1347–4 December 1354
A maternal relative of the Palaiologoi, he was declared co-emperor on 26 October 1341, and was recognized as senior emperor for ten years after the end of the civil war on 8 February 1347. Deposed by John V in 1354, he became a monk, dying on 15 June 1383.

Andronikos IV Palaiologos(Ἀνδρόνικος Δʹ Παλαιολόγος)
12 August 1376–1 July 1379
Son of John V and grandson of John VI, he was born on 2 April 1348 and raised to co-emperor c. 1352. He deposed his father on 12 August 1376 and ruled until overthrown in turn in 1379. He was again recognized as co-emperor in 1381 and given Selymbria as an appanage, dying there on 28 June 1385.

John V Palaiologos(Ἰωάννης Εʹ Παλαιολόγος)
1 July 1379–14 April 1390
Restored to senior emperor, he was reconciled with Andronikos IV in 1381, re-appointing him co-emperor. He was overthrown again in 1390 by his grandson, John VII.

John VII Palaiologos(Ἰωάννης Ζʹ Παλαιολόγος)
14 April 1390–17 September 1390
Son of Andronikos IV, he was born in 1370, and named co-emperor under his father in 1377–79. He usurped the throne from his grandfather John V for five months in 1390, but with Ottoman mediation he was reconciled with John V and his uncle, Manuel II. He held Constantinople against the Ottomans in 1399–1402, and was then given Thessalonica as an appanage, which he governed until his death on 22 September 1408. His son Andronikos V Palaiologos ruled alongside him as co-emperor.

John V Palaiologos(Ἰωάννης Εʹ Παλαιολόγος)
17 September 1390–16 February 1391
Restored to senior emperor, he ruled until his death in February 1391.

Manuel II Palaiologos(Μανουὴλ Βʹ Παλαιολόγος)
16 February 1391–21 July 1425
Second son of John V, he was born on 27 June 1350. Raised to co-emperor in 1373, he became senior emperor on John V's death and ruled until his death. He journeyed to the West European courts seeking aid against the Turks, and was able to use the Ottoman defeat in the Battle of Ankara to regain some territories and throw off his vassalage to them.

John VIII Palaiologos(Ἰωάννης Η' Παλαιολόγος)
21 July 1425–31 October 1448
Eldest surviving son of Manuel II, he was born on 18 December 1392. Raised to co-emperor c. 1416, he succeeded his father on his death. Seeking aid against the resurgent Ottomans, he ratified the Union of the Churches in 1439. He was the last Eastern emperor to visit Rome in 1423.

Constantine XI Palaiologos(Κωνσταντίνος ΙΑʹ Παλαιολόγος)
6 January 1449–29 May 1453
The fourth son of Manuel II, he was born on 8 February 1405. As Despot of the Morea since 1428, he distinguished himself in campaigns that annexed the Principality of Achaea and brought the Duchy of Athens under temporary Byzantine suzerainty, but was unable to repel Turkish attacks under Turahan Bey. As the eldest surviving brother, he succeeded John VIII after the latter's death. Facing the designs of the new Ottoman sultan, Mehmed II, on Constantinople, Constantine acknowledged the Union of the Churches and made repeated appeals for help to the West, but in vain. Refusing to surrender the city, he was killed during the final Ottoman attack on 29 May 1453.[18]