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On this day in AD 214 the emperor Claudius II Gothicus was born

But who was this man who ruled for just two years?

On this day in 195 Julia Domna was awarded the title mater castrorum

Who was this woman, and what is the significance of her title?

On this day the Roman emperor Septimius Severus was born

Lucius Septimius Severus was born on 11 April, AD 145 or 146, in Leptis Magna in modern day Libya, the first emperor to be born in Africa.

On this day in 180AD the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius died

On the coin he is shown ascending to heaven on the back on an eagle, seeming to wave goodbye to the world.

On this day in 37AD the Roman emperor Tiberius died

The second emperor of Rome died on this day, to be succeeded by a man ill-suited to rule: Gaius, known as Caligula.

On this day in 222AD Severus Alexander became emperor of Rome

On 14th of March 222 Severus Alexander became emperor at the tender age of just thirteen, making him the second youngest Emperor in Rome’s history.

On this day in 222AD Elagabalus, the most luxurious emperor of Rome, was murdered

Still only aged 18 and manoeuvered into power by the powerful women in his life, Elagabalus’ life was ended 1793 years ago today.

1877 years ago today: Hadrian adopted Pius on the proviso Pius adopted Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus…

Today marks the anniversary of the adoption of Antoninus Pius by the emperor Hadrian, on condition that Pius adopted both Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.

1899 years ago today: Trajan was awarded the title Parthicus

Emperor Trajan, or Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Divi Nervae filius Augustus, was born on September 18th AD 56 to Marcia and Marcus Ulpius Traianus, a prominent senator and general. Trajan acceded to the emperorship in AD 98, reigning until his death in AD 117. He fought in Germania and proved to be a gifted general under the reign of Nerva.

1771 years ago today: Roman emperor Gordian III died aged just 19

On February 11th 244 the boy-emperor Gordian III died in mysterious circumstances aged just nineteen. He was the youngest person to accede to unshared power in the history of the Roman empire.