Ancient history

What was the Religion of each Roman Emperor?

1. Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD)

- Promoted state religion (Roman-Greco) but allowed freedom to practice other religions

- Supported traditional Roman religion and the worship of the Roman gods

- Pontifex Maximus (Chief Priest) of Roman religion

- Instituted the worship of the imperial cult (deification of emperors)

2. Tiberius (14 AD - 37 AD)

- Continuation of state religion and imperial cult

- Suppressed certain Eastern cults seen as subversive to Roman morality

3. Caligula (37 AD - 41 AD)

- Extravagant and controversial emperor

- Promoted self-worship and demanded to be worshipped as a god

- Claimed to be a living reincarnation of the gods

4. Claudius (41 AD - 54 AD)

- Revived the traditional Roman religion and priestly functions

- Restored temples and promoted religious ceremonies

5. Nero (54 AD - 68 AD)

- Initially supported traditional religion but later became interested in Eastern cults

- Patron of the Eleusinian Mysteries and promoted Greek deities

- Associated himself with the cult of Sol Invictus (the Sun God)

6. Galba (68 AD - 69 AD)

- Reintroduced the traditional Roman religion and suppressed Christianity

7. Otho (69 AD)

- Brief reign, no significant religious policies

8. Vitellius (69 AD)

- Promoted traditional Roman religion and restored certain priesthoods

9. Vespasian (69 AD - 79 AD)

- Restored the Capitoline Temple and promoted traditional Roman religion

- Pontifex Maximus and revived certain religious practices

10. Titus (79 AD - 81 AD)

- Continuation of traditional Roman religion and state worship

11. Domitian (81 AD - 96 AD)

- Enforced state religion and demanded divine honors

- Pontifex Maximus and emphasized the imperial cult

- Persecuted Christians and other non-Roman religions

12. Nerva (96 AD - 98 AD)

- Relaxed persecution of Christians and other religions

13. Trajan (98 AD - 117 AD)

- Promoted traditional Roman religion and persecuted non-Roman religions, including Christianity

14. Hadrian (117 AD - 138 AD)

- Patron of various religious traditions, including Roman, Greek, and Egyptian cults

- Traveled widely and promoted religious syncretism

15. Antoninus Pius (138 AD - 161 AD)

- Continuation of Hadrian's policies; peaceful coexistence of different religions

16. Marcus Aurelius (161 AD - 180 AD)

- Stoic philosopher and emperor; emphasized inner virtue and tolerance of different religions

17. Commodus (180 AD - 192 AD)

- Patron of the cults of Hercules, Mithras, and Egyptian deities

- Claimed to be the reincarnation of Hercules

18. Septimius Severus (193 AD - 211 AD)

- Promoted syncretism and incorporated foreign deities into Roman religion

19. Caracalla (211 AD - 217 AD)

- Supported traditional Roman religion but also promoted the cult of the Syrian god El-Gabal

20. Elagabalus (218 AD - 222 AD)

- Syro-Phoenician emperor who brought the cult of El-Gabal to Rome

- Controversial and eventually assassinated for his religious policies

21. Severus Alexander (222 AD - 235 AD)

- Tolerant emperor who respected various religions

- His mother, Julia Mamaea, was a follower of Christianity and philosophy

22. Maximinus Thrax (235 AD - 238 AD)

- Persecuted Christians and reestablished traditional Roman religion

23. Gordian I and II (238 AD)

- Reverted to traditional Roman religion and promoted the imperial cult

24. Balbinus and Pupienus (238 AD)

- Joint rule, brief reign, no significant religious policies

25. Gordian III (238 AD - 244 AD)

- Returned to traditional Roman religion and opposed Christianity