Worst Roman Emperors, from Incompetent to Insane

These bad boys of history give Rome a bad name.

By Kelsey McConnell | Updated Mar 10, 2020 | Published Feb 10, 2020

worst roman emperors — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

284-305 CE

diocletian worst roman emperors — Photo Credit: Falco Emert / Flickr (CC)

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218-222 CE

elagabalus worst roman emperors — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

13-37 CE

tiberius worst roman emperors — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

211-217 CE

caracalla worst roman emperors — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

235-238 CE

maximinus thrax worst roman emperors — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

54-68 CE

nero worst roman emperors — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

37-41 CE

caligula worst roman emperors — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

180-192 CE

commodus worst roman emperors — Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

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European history

Ancient History