Marcus Julius Philippus “The Arab” 244-249 AD Marcus Julius Philippus was born in Arabia the son of Julius Marinus. Philip entered a military career and was on the campaign in 243 AD against the Persians led by Shapur. Timisitheus was the Praetorian Commander in charge and he successfully defeated the Persians at Rhesaina. However, Timisitheus suddenly […]

Gordian III 238-244AD Marcus Antonius Gordianus (Gordian III) was born about 225AD. Gordian III was the grandson of the respected Proconsul of Africa Gordian I by his daughter. He was also the nephew of Gordian II. In 238 AD, a rebellion broke out against the emperor Maximinus I, and Gordian I was hailed emperor by […]

Julia Soaemias Mother of Elagabalus Murdered with her son in 222 AD Julia Soaemias was the daughter of Julia Maesa and the mother of Elagabalus and the maternal cousin, of the Roman emperor Caracalla. Julia was indeed very much like her son in many ways particularly when it came to religion. Both Julia and Elagabalus were fanatically […]

Elagabalus 218-222 AD The emperor known to history as Elagabalus takes his name from the sun god of Emesa, for which he was made a high priest on May 16th, 218 AD. Elagabalus was actually born about 205 AD as Varius Avitus Bassianus and later became known as “Marcus Aurelius Antoninus,” the formal name found […]

Caracalla 198-217 AD Son of Septimus Severus Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, originally named Julius Bassianus, was born at Lugdunum, Gaul, on April 6th, 188 AD. He was the elder son of Septimius Severus and Julia Domna. His original name, Bassianus, came from the Syrian side of his family. Following the Civil War in the aftermath of […]

Pescennius Niger 193-194 AD C. Pescennius Niger was born sometime between 135 and 140 AD of humble origin. He had a long and honorable career in the army but did not display any exceptional victories. In 189 AD, he held the consulship and, in the following year, was appointed Governor of Syria by 191 AD. […]

Marcus Didius Julianus 193 AD Marcus Didius Julianus was the son of Petronius Didius Severus of Milan while his mother was from Roman North Africa. Didius was raised in the household of Domitia Lucilla, the mother of Marcus Aurelius, which served him well in political circles. In 172 AD, Didius was appointed commander of the […]

Abscissa – the horizontal baseline of a chart, x-axis. Ad Valorem Tax – A tax levied as a fixed percentage of the value of a particular item. Aggregate Demand – Total planned or desired spending in the economy as a whole in a given period. It is determined by the aggregate price level and by influences such as […]

  Marcus Aurelius 161 – 180 AD Born 121 – died 180 AD, age 59 MARCUS ANNIUS VERUS, the stoic philosopher, was born in Rome in 121 A.D., the son of Annius Verus and Domitia Lucilla. Hadrian recognized the fine qualities of the youth, and he was originally betrothed to the daughter of Aelius Caesar. After […]

Antinous  Lover of Hadrian Antinous was the homosexual lover and companion of Emperor Hadrian (117-138AD). Nothing is known of his origin or age. Antinous was a Bithynian Greek youth who Hadrian became attracted to. He perhaps caught Hadrian’s eye on his trip to Bithynia about 123AD. Hadrian then took him to Rome, where he was […]