by Curio Agelastus on Thu Sep 04, 2003 6:18 pm
Salve Luci Aureli,
Of your top four:
Augustus was the man who created the empire, bringing peace where before there had only been chaos and civil war. However, he was ruthless, calculating, and by most accounts brought on the last civil war himself.
Galba was a general with a distinguished career, and was the first emperor after Vespasian in the year of the four emperors, in which everyone with a claim to the throne, and most who didn't, attempted to either become emperor themselves or support one of those who did. Galba didn't last long, however.
Marcus Aurelius was the famous Philosopher King. He wrote the still-popular Meditations, while defending Rome's northern frontiers against the Germanic tribes. To many people, he ranks among Rome's most talented emperors.
Nerva was an old man who, I believe, took the throne in 96 AD. He was an interrim emperor after the Flavian dynasty, and some believe that he would have made a much greater impact had he not died two years into his reign.
I know only a little of most of the others, so for more info you'll have to wait until one of our more accomplished historians answers this question.
Bene vale,
Marcus Scribonius Curio Britannicus.
Marcus Scribonius Curio Agelastus
Rector ColHis, Senator
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?