Who was the greatest Roman Emperor?

Question

I forgot to mention, give reasons.

Answer 1

Marcus Ulpius Nerva Traianus "Optimus"(Trajan)

The Roman Empire was at its largest extent under his rule.
Conquered Dacia(modern Romania)
Extended the empire into Armenia, Mesopotamia, modern Jordan, and into northern western Saudi Arabia.
The most competent military mind of all the Roman Emperors. Trajan, before becoming emperor in 100 AD, was a general in the Rhine and Danube regions during Domitian's wars against the Germanic tribes.Trajan was heavily involved in the development of Roman military strategies with his generals and went on various military campaigns to direct the overall Roman war effort.

First non-Italian Emperor.
Second of the Five Good Emperors.
Declared Hadrian as his successor thus continuing the era of the five good emperors. Avoided the nomination of a family member to the Principate which had begun with the Julio-Claudians and continued by the Flavians. Designating an imperial successor based on family was a very dangerous act. Rampant jealousies and conspiracies in the Julio-Claudian imperial family left the empire with a Caligula and Nero.
Unfortunately, the era of the Five Good Emperors ended when Marcus Aurelius designated his own son Commodus as his successor.The problem of imperial succession was never entirely solved by Augustus or later emperors and that fact was to haunt the Roman Empire until the end.

Imperial Roman prayer: may our emperor be luckier than Augustus and better than Trajan.

Answer 2

I would argue against Trajan for one very important reason...He outlawed technological innovation. According to historians of the period, there were a number of labor-saving devices. Trajan worried about the how many workers would be unemployed as a result.

What would have happened if he had instead encouraged innovation? An entirely different world today.

So instead of Trajan, I would opt for Augustus, who created stability in the Roman world for two centuries.

However, my favorite Roman Emporer was Marcus Aurelius.

Answer 3

Caesar Augustus

Answer 4

I would say Julius Caesar. He was the one who conquered the most, who was the best general, and who was most beloved by both the army and the people (that's why he was assassinated--the senators didn't like that he had so much support). The worst was probably Caligula. His mother had her second husband proclaim him as his heir, instead of his own son. When he became emporer, he had her killed, since she wanted some of the power, too. He had his sister banished, and killed countless people. He was so bad, his own bodyguards killed him.

Answer 5

Would have to be Octavian (Augustus). His reign consolidated Imperial power to the point that his successors ascended to the throne without opposition. Too bad they were such pervs.

Answer 6

Augustus. He unified Rome and created stability for a broader economic prosperity.

Answer 7

I would say Caesar Augustus. He consolidated power and brought Rome to the height of her power.

Answer 8

Hadrian

Answer 9

Constantine.

Answer 10

Julius Caesar ! Nobody else knew the Gauls before him :-). And he gave Asterix Comix to the world :-))

And tobacco....maybe :-)) (joking !)