The Start of a Dynasty
Ancient Rome has stood for many centuries as a powerful and impressive civilisation that captivated people’s imagination. At the height of its rule, it was home to some of the most influential leaders the world has ever seen. One such leader was Julius Caesar, often seen as the most important person in Ancient Rome.
Julius Caesar rose to prominence during a particularly tumultuous time in Roman history. It is believed that he was born sometime around the year 100 BC and shortly after assumed a military role within the Roman Republic. Over a 40 year period, Julius Caesar incrementally worked his way up the ranks, eventually being declared the ‘dictator perpetuus’, or the permanent dictator.
The establishment of Julius Caesar as dictator was the beginning of the Roman Empire. He put in place a constitutional framework that would govern the empire and worked hard to strengthen his kingdom’s international standing by establishing diplomatic relations with other empires. What is perhaps most well remembered about Julius Caesar however is the influence he had on language and architecture. Julius Caesar was an accomplished orator and was an encouraging force for language innovation, introducing phrases such as ‘veni, vidi, vici’- a sentence commonly attributed to him which has been immortalised in many languages.
It also during Julius Caesar’s time that many landmarks in Rome were constructed. It can be argued that Julius Caesar was responsible for its transformation from a republic to an empire and for his part in the construction of such iconic architecture as the Colosseum.
By the time of his death in 44BC, Julius Caesar had become the most important leader of his era. He had managed to bring peace and prosperity to a region that was in a state of constant conflict and had left a strong legacy that would be upheld by the successive generations of Romans.
The Role of Augustus Caesar
One the most influential of Julius Caesar’s successors was his great nephew and adopted son, Augustus Caesar. In the year 27BC, Augustus became the first Roman Emperor and continued to expand the boundaries of the empire, conquering many lands and adding them to Roman rule.
Augustus was an astute politician and diplomat, showing great ability in all aspects of governance. He consistently employed diplomatic solutions rather than military solutions when dealing with foreign issues and was a successful negotiator. He was also a great supporter of the arts, sponsoring numerous projects such as the construction of the Roman Forum, the Pantheon and the Colosseum.
Another thing that Augustus did was to streamline the Roman taxation system, which was in disarray due to unrest caused by Julius Caesar’s rule. He also gave citizenship to people from the provinces and treated them equally, not only in terms of taxation but also in terms of rights
The Impact of Emperor Trajan
Emperor Trajan was another important leader in the ancient Rome who had a great impact on the development of the empire. He was a highly successful military commander who led tens of successful campaigns, conquering new lands and expanding the Roman borders. He was also responsible for building many public works such as bridges, roads and aqueducts across the empire.
Trajan was also the first Roman ruler to recognise the importance of education and set up free education for the citizens of Rome. He also established an imperial library to document the history of Rome and built the Forum of Trajan, considered as one of the greatest examples of Roman architecture. His reign was marked by an unprecedented level of efficiency and was widely acknowledged by his citizens.
The Philosophical Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Many consider Emperor Marcus Aurelius as the most important leader in ancient Rome. After he became emperor in 161 AD, he quickly established himself as a powerful and wise ruler. What made him unique was his philosophical approach to ruling, which focused heavily on principles such as justice, tolerance and mercy.
Marcus Aurelius was also a great military commander who increased the strength of the Roman army and extended the empire’s borders. He was a strong advocate of education and established schools to provide free education for citizens of all classes. He also promoted public works and infrastructure, constructing buildings and monuments that remain iconic even today.
The Censorious Roman Emperor Constantine
Emperor Constantine is yet another unique figure in ancient Rome, ruling from 306 AD to 337 AD. He initially operated as a censor, punishing wrongdoers and ensuring law and order in the empire. This brought him much popularity and he eventually became Rome’s first Christian Emperor.
Constantine was credited with the adoption of Christianity as the state religion and he implemented a series of reforms that were lauded by both the church and the people. He was also responsible for providing legal protection to citizens of all classes and religions. He is renowned for his construction projects as well, which included the erection of monuments, churches and buildings all over Rome.
The Final Ruler of the Roman Empire- Emperor Justinian
The last ruler of the Roman Empire is known as Emperor Justinian, who ruled from 527 AD to 565 AD. He initiated a series of reforms in order to revive the strength of the empire and to bring about prosperity for its citizens. Justinian was a great advocate for law and justice, and worked hard to ensure fairness for citizens of all classes in Roman society.
Justinian was also a great military strategist, having led numerous successful campaigns against the Christian and Persian empires. He reinstated the Roman Senate and worked hard to expand the Roman provinces, creating an empire that lasted longer than any other up until that point in history. At the same time, he was also a prolific builder, constructing some of the most impressive monuments and buildings in Rome.
Conclusion
The ancient Romans have left us with a rich cultural and architectural legacy that has been admired and studied for centuries. It was the people of Ancient Rome that created such a magnificent civilisation, and it was the leaders of this period who had the greatest influence on its development. Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius, Constantine, and Justinian are some of the most important people in the history of Ancient Rome and their legacies are still visible today.
