List of Roman emperors

thumb|upright=1.3|[[Augustus of Prima Porta|The Prima Porta statue of Augustus (27 BC – AD 14), the first Roman emperor|alt=statue of Augustus]]

The Roman emperors were the rulers of the Roman Empire from the granting of the name and title Augustus to Octavian by the Roman Senate in 27 BC onward. Augustus maintained a facade of Republican rule, rejecting monarchical titles but calling himself princeps senatus (first man of the Senate) and princeps civitatis (first citizen of the state). The title of Augustus was conferred on his successors to the imperial position, and emperors gradually grew more monarchical and authoritarian.

The style of government instituted by Augustus is called the Principate and continued until the late third or early fourth century. The modern word "emperor" derives from the title imperator, that was granted by an army to a successful general; during the initial phase of the empire, the title was generally used only by the princeps. For example, Augustus's official name was Imperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus. The territory under command of the emperor had developed under the period of the Roman Republic as it invaded and occupied much of Europe and portions of North Africa and the Middle East. Under the republic, the Senate and People of Rome authorized provincial governors, who answered only to them, to rule regions of the empire. The chief magistrates of the republic were two consuls elected each year; consuls continued to be elected in the imperial period, but their authority was subservient to that of the emperor, who also controlled and determined their election. Often, the emperors themselves, or close family, were selected as consul.

After the Crisis of the Third Century, Diocletian increased the authority of the emperor and adopted the title dominus noster (our lord). The rise of powerful barbarian tribes along the borders of the empire, the challenge they posed to the defense of far-flung borders as well as an unstable imperial succession led Diocletian to divide the administration of the Empire geographically with a co-augustus in 286. In 330, Constantine the Great, the emperor who accepted Christianity, established a second capital in Byzantium, which was renamed Constantinople. Historians consider the Dominate period of the empire to have begun with either Diocletian or Constantine, depending on the author. For most of the period from 286 to 480, there was more than one recognized senior emperor, with the division usually based on geographic regions. This division became permanent after the death of Theodosius I in 395, which historians have traditionally dated as the division between the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. However, formally the Empire remained a single polity, with separate co-emperors in the separate courts.

The fall of the Western Roman Empire is dated either from the de facto date of 476, when Romulus Augustulus was deposed by the Germanic Herulians led by Odoacer, or the de jure date of 480, on the death of Julius Nepos, when Eastern emperor Zeno ended recognition of a separate Western court. Historians typically refer to the empire in the centuries that followed as the "Byzantine Empire", governed by the Byzantine emperors. Given that "Byzantine" is a later historiographical designation and the inhabitants and emperors of the empire continually maintained Roman identity, this designation is not used universally and continues to be a subject of specialist debate. Under Justinian I, in the sixth century, a large portion of the western empire was retaken, including Italy, Africa, and part of Spain. Over the course of the centuries thereafter, most of the imperial territories were lost, which eventually restricted the empire to Anatolia and the Balkans. The line of emperors continued until the death of Constantine XI Palaiologos at the fall of Constantinople in 1453, when the remaining territories were conquered by the Ottoman Turks led by Sultan Mehmed II. In the aftermath of the conquest, Mehmed II proclaimed himself kayser-i Rûm ("Caesar of the Romans"), thus claiming to be the new emperor, a claim maintained by succeeding sultans. Competing claims of succession to the Roman Empire have also been forwarded by various other states and empires, and by numerous later pretenders.

Legitimacy

thumb|Coin of [[Pescennius Niger, a Roman usurper who claimed imperial power AD 193–194. Legend: IMP CAES C PESC NIGER IVST AVG|alt=coin]]

While the imperial government of the Roman Empire was rarely called into question during its five centuries in the west and fifteen centuries in the east, individual emperors often faced unending challenges in the form of usurpation and perpetual civil wars. From the rise of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, in 27 BC to the sack of Rome in AD 455, there were over a hundred usurpations or attempted usurpations (an average of one usurpation or attempt about every four years). From the murder of Commodus in 192 until the fifth century, there was scarcely a single decade without succession conflicts and civil war. Very few emperors died of natural causes, with regicide in practical terms having become the expected end of a Roman emperor by late antiquity. The distinction between a usurper and a legitimate emperor is a blurry one, given that a large number of emperors that were commonly considered legitimate began their rule as usurpers, revolting against the previous legitimate emperor.

True legitimizing structures and theories were weak, or wholly absent in the Roman Empire, and there were no true objective legal criteria for being acclaimed emperor beyond acceptance by the Roman army. Dynastic succession was not legally formalized, but also not uncommon, with powerful rulers sometimes succeeding in passing power on to their children or other relatives. While dynastic ties could bring someone to the throne, they were not a guarantee that their rule would not be challenged. With the exception of Titus (79–81; son of Vespasian), no son of an emperor who ruled after the death of his father died a natural death until Constantine I in 337. Control of Rome itself and approval of the Roman Senate held some importance as legitimising factors, but were mostly symbolic. Emperors who began their careers as usurpers had often been deemed public enemies by the senate before they managed to take the city. Emperors did not need to be acclaimed or crowned in Rome itself, as demonstrated in the Year of the Four Emperors (69), when claimants were crowned by armies in the Roman provinces, and the senate's role in legitimising emperors had almost faded into insignificance by the Crisis of the Third Century (235–285). By the end of the third century, Rome's importance was mainly ideological, with several emperors and usurpers even beginning to place their court in other cities in the empire, closer to the imperial frontier.

Common methods used by emperors to assert claims of legitimacy, such as proclamation by the army, blood connections (sometimes fictitious) to past emperors, wearing imperial regalia, distributing one's own coins or statues and claims to pre-eminent virtue through propaganda, were pursued just as well by many usurpers as they were by legitimate emperors. There were no constitutional or legal distinctions that differentiated legitimate emperors and usurpers. In ancient Roman texts, the differences between emperors and "tyrants" (the term typically used for usurpers) is often a moral one (with the tyrants ascribed wicked behaviour) rather than a legal one. Typically, the actual distinction was whether the claimant had been victorious or not. In the Historia Augusta, an ancient Roman collection of imperial biographies, the usurper Pescennius Niger (193–194) is expressly noted to only be a tyrant because he was defeated by Septimius Severus (193–211). This is also followed in modern historiography, where, in the absence of constitutional criteria separating them, the main factor that distinguishes usurpers from legitimate Roman emperors is their degree of success. What makes a figure who began as a usurper into a legitimate emperor is typically either that they managed to gain the recognition from a more senior, legitimate emperor, or that they managed to defeat a more senior, legitimate emperor and seize power from them by force.

List inclusion criteria

Given that a concept of constitutional legitimacy was irrelevant in the Roman Empire, and emperors were only 'legitimate' in so far as they were able to be accepted in the wider empire, this list of emperors operates on a collection of inclusion criteria:

Imperial claimants whose power across the empire became, or from the beginning was, absolute and who ruled undisputed are treated as legitimate emperors. From 286 onward, when imperial power was usually divided among two colleagues in the east and west, control over the respective half is sufficient even if a claimant was not recognized in the other half, such as was the case for several of the last few emperors in the west.
Imperial claimants who were proclaimed emperors by another, legitimate, senior emperor, or who were recognized by a legitimate senior emperor, are treated as legitimate emperors. Many emperors ruled alongside one or various joint-emperors. However, and specially from the 4th century onwards, most of these were children who never ruled in their own right. Scholars of the later Empire always omit these rulers, but the same is not always applied during the early Empire. For the purposes of consistency, later senior emperors' tenures as junior co-emperors are not counted as part of their reign. The list also gives all co-emperors their own entry only up to the 4th century.
Imperial claimants who achieved the recognition of the Roman Senate, especially in times of uncertainty and civil war, are, due to the senate's nominal role as an elective body, treated as legitimate emperors. In later times, especially when emperors ruled from other cities, this criterion defaults to the possession and control of Rome itself. In the later eastern empire, possession of the capital of Constantinople was an essential element of imperial legitimacy.

In the case of non-dynastic emperors after or in the middle of the rule of a dynasty, it is customary among historians to group them together with the rulers of said dynasty, an approach that is followed in this list. Dynastic breaks with non-dynastic rulers are indicated with thickened horizontal lines.

Principate (27 BC – AD 284)

Julio-Claudian dynasty (27 BC – AD 68)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:100%"

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! scope=col width="17%" |  Name

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Augustus

| 16 January 27 BC – 19 August AD 14

| Grandnephew and adopted son of Julius Caesar. Gradually acquired further power through grants from, and constitutional settlements with, the Roman Senate. Continuously head of state since 19 August 43 BC, unopposed after the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.

| 23 September 63 BC – 19 August 14 <hr/>Born as Gaius Octavius. Died probably of natural causes, allegedly poisoned with figs by Livia.

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Tiberius

| 17 September 14 – 16 March 37

| Stepson, former son-in-law and adopted son of Augustus

| 16 November 42 BC – 16 March 37 <hr/>Died probably of natural causes, allegedly murdered at the instigation of Caligula

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Caligula

| 18 March 37 – 24 January 41

| Grandnephew and adopted heir of Tiberius, great-grandson of Augustus

| 31 August 12 – 24 January 41 <hr/>Murdered in a conspiracy involving the Praetorian Guard and senators

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Claudius

| 24 January 41 – 13 October 54

| Uncle of Caligula, nephew of Tiberius, grandnephew of Augustus, proclaimed emperor by the Praetorian Guard and accepted by the Senate

| 1 August 10 BC – 13 October 54 <hr/>Began the Roman conquest of Britain. Probably poisoned by his wife Agrippina, in favor of her son Nero

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Nero

| 13 October 54 – 9 June 68

| Grandnephew, stepson, son-in-law and adopted son of Claudius, great-great-grandson of Augustus

| 15 December 37 – 9 June 68 <hr/>Committed suicide after being deserted by the Praetorian Guard and sentenced to death by the Senate

Year of the Four Emperors (68–69)

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Galba

| 8 June 68 – 15 January 69

| Governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, revolted against Nero and seized power after his suicide, with support of the Senate and Praetorian Guard

| 24 December 3 BC – 15 January 69 <hr/>Murdered by soldiers of the Praetorian Guard in a coup led by Otho

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Otho

| 15 January – 16 April 69

| Seized power through a coup against Galba

| 28 April 32 – 16 April 69 <hr/>Committed suicide after losing the Battle of Bedriacum to Vitellius

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Vitellius

| 19 April – 20 December 69

| Governor of Germania Inferior, proclaimed emperor by the Rhine legions on 2 January in opposition to Galba and Otho, later recognized by the Senate

| 24 September 15 – 20 December 69 <hr/>Murdered by Vespasian's troops

Flavian dynasty (69–96)

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Vespasian

| 1 July 69 – 23 June 79

| Proclaimed by the eastern legions in opposition to Vitellius, later recognized by the Senate

| 17 November 9 – 23 June 79 <hr/>Began construction of the Colosseum. Died of dysentery

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Titus

| 24 June 79 – 13 September 81

| Son of Vespasian

| 30 December 39 – 13 September 81 <hr/>Died of natural causes

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Domitian

| 14 September 81 – 18 September 96

| Brother of Titus and son of Vespasian

| 24 October 51 – 18 September 96 <hr/>Assassinated in a conspiracy of court officials, possibly involving Nerva

Nerva–Antonine dynasty (96–192)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:100%"

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Nerva

| 18 September 96 – 27 January 98

| Proclaimed emperor by the Senate after the murder of Domitian

| 8 November 30 – 27/28 January 98 <hr/>First of the "Five Good Emperors". Died of natural causes

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Trajan

| 28 January 98 – 9 August 117

| Adopted son of Nerva

| 18 September 53 – 9 August 117 <hr/>First non-Italian emperor. His reign marked the geographical peak of the empire. Died of natural causes

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Hadrian

| 11 August 117 – 10 July 138

| Cousin of Trajan, allegedly adopted on his deathbed

| 24 January 76 – 10 July 138 <hr/>Ended Roman expansionism. Destroyed Judea after a massive revolt. Died of natural causes

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Antoninus Pius

| 10 July 138 – 7 March 161

| Adopted son of Hadrian

| 19 September 86 – 7 March 161 <hr/>Died of natural causes

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Marcus Aurelius

| 7 March 161 – 17 March 180

| Son-in-law and adopted son of Antoninus Pius. Until 169 reigned jointly with his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, the first time multiple emperors shared power. Since 177 reigned jointly with his son Commodus

| 26 April 121 – 17 March 180 <hr/>Last of the "Five Good Emperors"; also one of the most representative Stoic philosophers. Died of Antonine Plague

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Lucius Verus

| 7 March 161 – January/February 169

| Adopted son of Antoninus Pius, named joint emperor by his adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius

| 15 December 130 – January/February 169 <hr/>Died of stroke

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Commodus

| 17 March 180 – 31 December 192

| Son of Marcus Aurelius. Proclaimed co-emperor in 177, at age 16, becoming the first emperor to be elevated during predecessor's lifetime

| 31 August 161 – 31 December 192 <hr/>Strangled to death in a conspiracy involving his praetorian prefect, Laetus, and mistress, Marcia

Year of the Five Emperors (193)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:100%"

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Pertinax

| 1 January – 28 March 193

| City prefect of Rome at Commodus's death, set up as emperor by the praetorian prefect, Laetus, with consent of the Senate

| 1 August 126 – 28 March 193 <hr/>Murdered by mutinous soldiers of the Praetorian Guard

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Didius Julianus

| 28 March – 1 June 193

| Won auction held by the Praetorian Guard for the position of emperor

| 30 January 133 – 1/2 June 193 <hr/>Killed on order of the Senate, at the behest of Septimius Severus

Severan dynasty (193–235)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:100%"

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Septimius Severus

| 9 April 193 – 4 February 211

| Governor of Upper Pannonia, acclaimed emperor by the Pannonian legions following the murder of Pertinax

| 11 April 145 – 4 February 211 <hr/>First non-European emperor. Died of natural causes

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! scope="row" style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Geta

| 4 February 211 – 26 December 211

| Son of Septimius Severus, proclaimed co-emperor in October 209, succeeded jointly with his older brother, Caracalla

| 7 March 189 – 26 December 211 <hr />Murdered on order of his brother, Caracalla

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Caracalla

| 4 February 211 – 8 April 217

| Son of Septimius Severus, proclaimed co-emperor on 28 January 198, at age 10. Succeeded jointly with his brother, Geta, in 211

| 4 April 188 – 8 April 217 <hr/>First child emperor. Granted Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire. Murdered by a soldier at the instigation of Macrinus

! colspan=5 |  

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Macrinus

| 11 April 217 – 8 June 218

| Praetorian prefect of Caracalla, accepted as emperor by the army and Senate after having arranged his predecessor's death in fear of his own life

| c. 165 – June 218 <hr/>First non-senator to become emperor, and first emperor not to visit Rome after acceding. Executed during a revolt of the troops in favor of Elagabalus.

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | frameless|100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | Diadumenian (§)

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Late May – June 218

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son of Macrinus, named co-emperor by his father after the eruption of a rebellion in favor of Elagabalus

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | 14 September 208 – June 218 <hr/>Caught in flight and executed in favor of Elagabalus

! colspan=5 |  

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Elagabalus

| 16 May 218 – 13 March 222

| Cousin and alleged illegitimate son of Caracalla, acclaimed as emperor by rebellious legions in opposition to Macrinus at the instigation of his grandmother, Julia Maesa

| 203/204 – 13 March 222 <hr/>Murdered by the Praetorian Guard alongside his mother, probably at the instigation of Julia Maesa

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Severus Alexander

| 14 March 222 – March 235

| Cousin and adopted heir of Elagabalus

| 1 October 208 – early March 235 <hr/>Lynched by mutinous troops, alongside his mother

Crisis of the Third Century (235–285)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Maximinus I "Thrax"

| March 235 – c. June 238

| Proclaimed emperor by Germanic legions after the murder of Severus Alexander, recognized at Rome on 23 March 235

| c. 172–180 – c. June 238 <hr/>First commoner to become emperor. Murdered by his men during the siege of Aquileia against the Senatorial forces of Pupienus and Balbinus

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Gordian I

| c. April – May 238

| Proclaimed emperor alongside his son, Gordian II, while serving as governor of Africa, in a revolt against Maximinus, and recognized by the Senate

| c. 158 (?) – c. May 238 <hr/>Oldest emperor at the time of his elevation. Committed suicide upon hearing of the death of his son

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Gordian II

| c. April – c. May 238

| Proclaimed emperor alongside his father Gordian I, during revolt in Africa against Maximinus

| c. 192 – c. May 238 <hr/>The shortest-reigning emperor. Killed outside Carthage in battle against an army loyal to Maximinus I

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Pupienus

| c. May – c. August 238

| Proclaimed emperor jointly with Balbinus by the Senate after death of Gordian I and II, in opposition to Maximinus

| c. 164 – c. August 238 <hr/>Tortured and murdered by the Praetorian Guard

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Balbinus

| c. May – c. August 238

| Proclaimed emperor jointly with Pupienus by the Senate after death of Gordian I and II, in opposition to Maximinus

| c. 178 – c. August 238 <hr/>Tortured and murdered by the Praetorian Guard

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Gordian III

| c. August 238 – c. February 244

| Grandson of Gordian I, appointed as heir by Pupienus and Balbinus, upon whose deaths he succeeded as emperor

| 20 January 225 – c. February 244 <hr/>Died during campaign against Persia, possibly in a murder plot instigated by Philip I

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Philip I "the Arab"

| c. February 244 – September/October 249

| Praetorian prefect under Gordian III, seized power after his death

| c. 204 – September/October 249 <hr/>Killed at the Battle of Verona, against Decius

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | Philip II "the Younger" (§)

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | July/August 247 – September/October 249

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son of Philip I, appointed co-emperor

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | c. 237 – September/October 249 <hr/>Murdered by the Praetorian Guard

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Decius

| September/October 249 – June 251

| Proclaimed emperor by the troops in Moesia, then defeated and killed Philip I in battle

| c. 190/200 – June 251 <hr/>Killed at the Battle of Abrittus, against the Goths

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | Herennius Etruscus (§)

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | May/June – June 251

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son of Decius, appointed co-emperor

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Unknown – June 251<hr/>Killed at the Battle of Abrittus alongside his father

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | —

| style="background:#EBEBEB" |Licinian ()

| style="background:#EBEBEB" |c. March 251

| style="background:#EBEBEB" |Senator, proclaimed in Rome during the absence of Decius, possibly with the support of the Senate

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Nothing known

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Trebonianus Gallus

| June 251 – August 253

| Senator and general, proclaimed emperor after the deaths of Decius and Herennius Etruscus

| c. 206 – c. August 253 <hr/>Murdered by his own troops in favor of Aemilian

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | 100px

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | Hostilian (§)

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | c. June – c. July 251

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Younger son of Decius, named caesar by his father and proclaimed co-emperor by Trebonianus Gallus

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Unknown – c. July 251<hr/>Died of plague or murdered by Trebonianus Gallus

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | 100px

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | Volusianus (§)

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | c. August 251 – c. August 253

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son of Gallus, appointed co-emperor

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | c. 230 – c. August 253 <hr/>Murdered by the soldiers, alongside his father

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Aemilianus

| c. July – c. September 253

| Commander in Moesia, proclaimed emperor by his soldiers after defeating barbarians, in opposition to Gallus

| c. 207 – c. September 253 <hr/>Murdered by his own troops in favor of Valerian

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | Silbannacus ()

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | c. September/October 253 (?)

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Obscure figure known only from coinage, may have briefly ruled in Rome between Aemilianus and Valerian

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Nothing known

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Valerian

| c. September 253 – c. June 260

| Army commander in Raetia and Noricum, proclaimed emperor by the legions in opposition to Aemilian

| c. 200 – after 262 (?)<hr/>Captured at Edessa by the Persian king Shapur I, died in captivity possibly forced to swallow molten gold

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Gallienus

| c. September 253 – c. September 268

| Son of Valerian, appointed joint emperor. Sole emperor after Valerian's capture in 260

| 218 – c. September 268 <hr/>Faced multiple revolts and barbarian invasions. Murdered in a conspiracy of army officers, involving Claudius II and Aurelian

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | Saloninus (§)

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Autumn 260

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son of Gallienus, proclaimed caesar by his father and proclaimed emperor by the praetorian prefect Silvanus while besieged by Postumus

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Unknown – Late 260<hr/>Murdered by troops loyal to Postumus

| 100px|alt=bust (possible)

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Claudius II "Gothicus"

| c. September 268 – c. August 270

| Army commander in Illyria, proclaimed emperor after Gallienus's death

| 10 May 214 – August/September (?) 270 <hr/>Died of plague

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Quintillus

| c. August – c. September 270

| Brother of Claudius II, proclaimed emperor after his death

| Unknown – 270<hr/>Committed suicide or killed at the behest of Aurelian

| alt=bust|100px (possible)

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Aurelian

| c. August 270 – c. November 275

| Commander of the Roman cavalry, proclaimed emperor by Danube legions after Claudius II's death, in opposition to Quintillus

| 9 September 214 – Sept./Dec. 275 <hr/>Reunified the Roman Empire. Murdered by the Praetorian Guard

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Tacitus

| c. December 275 – c. June 276

| Alleged princeps senatus, proclaimed emperor by the Senate or, more likely, by his soldiers in Campania after Aurelian's death

| c. 200 (?) – c. June 276 <hr/>Died of illness or possibly murdered

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Florianus

| c. June – September 276

| Maternal half-brother of Tacitus, proclaimed himself emperor after the death of Tacitus

| Unknown – September/October 276<hr/>Murdered by his own troops in favor of Probus

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Probus

| c. June 276 – c. September 282

| General; proclaimed emperor by the eastern legions, in opposition to Florianus

| 19 August 232 – c. September 282 <hr/>Murdered by his own troops in favor of Carus

| 100px|alt=possible bust (possible)

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Carus

| c. September 282 – c. July/August 283

| Praetorian prefect under Probus, seized power before or after Probus's murder

| c. 224 (?) – c. July/August 283 <hr/>Died in Persia, either of illness, assassination, or by being hit by lightning

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Carinus

| Spring 283 – August/September 285

| Son of Carus, appointed joint emperor shortly before his death. Succeeded jointly with Numerian

| c. 250 – August/September 285 <hr/>Probably died in battle against Diocletian, likely betrayed by his own soldiers

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Numerian

| c. July/August 283 – November 284

| Son of Carus, succeeded jointly with Carinus

| c. 253 – November 284 <hr/>Died while marching to Europe, probably of disease, possibly assassinated

Dominate (284–476)

Tetrarchy (293–324)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| frameless|100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Diocletian "Jovius"

| 20 November 284 – 1 May 305

| Commander of the imperial bodyguard, acclaimed by the army after death of Numerian, and proceeded to defeat Numerian's brother, Carinus, in battle

| 22 December 243 – 3 December 311 <hr/>Began the last great persecution of Christianity. First emperor to voluntarily abdicate. Died in unclear circumstances, possibly suicide

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Maximian "Herculius"

| 1 April 286 – 1 May 305

| Elevated by Diocletian, ruled the western provinces

| c. 250 – c. July 310 <hr/>Abdicated with Diocletian, later trying to regain power with, and then from, Maxentius, before being probably killed on orders of Constantine I

| 100px

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Galerius

| 1 May 305 – May 311

| Elevated to caesar in 293 by Diocletian, succeeded as eastern augustus upon Diocletian's abdication

| c. 258 – May 311 <hr/>Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantius I "Chlorus"

| 1 May 305 – 25 July 306

| Maximian's relation by marriage, elevated to caesar in 293 by Diocletian, succeeded as western augustus upon Maximian's abdication

| 31 March 250 – 25 July 306 <hr/>Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Severus II

| August 306 – March/April 307

| Elevated to caesar in 305 by Maximian, promoted to western augustus by Galerius upon Constantius I's death

| Unknown – September 307<hr/>Surrendered to Maximian and Maxentius, later murdered or forced to commit suicide

|style="background:#EBEBEB" | 100px

|style="background:#EBEBEB" | Domitius Alexander (#)

|style="background:#EBEBEB" | 308 – 310

|style="background:#EBEBEB" | Usurped power against Maxentius in the Diocese of Africa and Sardinia. Possibly allied himself with Constantine I

|style="background:#EBEBEB" | Unknown – c. 310<hr/>Defeated and executed by Maxentius.

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Maxentius

| 28 October 306 – 28 October 312

| Son of Maximian and son-in-law of Galerius, seized power in Italy with support of the Praetorian Guard and his father after being passed over in the succession. Not recognized by the other emperors

| c. 283 – 28 October 312 <hr/>Died at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, against Constantine I

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Maximian "Herculius"

| November 306 – 11 November 308

| Elevated by Maxentius, ruled Italy with, and then against, his son.

| c. 250 – c. July 310 <hr/>Attempted to regain power with, and then from, Maxentius, before being force to abdicate again in 308. Commited suicide in 310 after an unsuccessful rebellion against Constantine I.

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Licinius

| 11 November 308 – 19 September 324

| Elevated by Galerius to replace Severus, in opposition to Maxentius. Defeated Maximinus Daza in a civil war to become sole emperor of the East in 313

| c. 265 – early 325 <hr/>Defeated, deposed and put to death by Constantine I

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Maximinus II "Daza"

| 310 – c. July 313

| Nephew of Galerius, elevated to caesar by Galerius in 305, and acclaimed as augustus by his troops in 310

| 20 November c. 270 – c. July 313 <hr/>Defeated in civil war against Licinius, died shortly afterwards

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Valerius Valens

| October 316 – c. January 317

| Frontier commander in Dacia, elevated by Licinius in opposition to Constantine I

| Unknown – 317<hr/>Executed in the lead-up to a peace settlement between Licinius and Constantine

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Martinian

| July – 19 September 324

| A senior bureaucrat, elevated by Licinius in opposition to Constantine I

| Unknown – Spring 325<hr/>Deposed by Constantine and banished to Cappadocia, later executed

Constantinian dynasty (306–363)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="16%" | Name

! scope=col width="24%" | Reign

! scope=col width="23%" | Succession

! scope=col width="30%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine I "the Great"

| 25 July 306 – 22 May 337

| Son of Constantius I, acclaimed by his father's troops as augustus. Accepted as caesar by Galerius, promoted to augustus in 307 by Maximian, refused demotion to caesar in 309

| 27 February 272/273 – 22 May 337 <hr/>First Christian emperor and founder of Constantinople. Sole ruler of the Empire after defeating Maxentius in 312 and Licinius in 324. Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=statue

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine II

| 9 September 337 – April 340

| Son of Constantine I

| February 316 – April 340 <hr/>Ruled the praetorian prefecture of Gaul. Killed in an ambush during a war against his brother, Constans I

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constans I

| 9 September 337 – January 350

| Son of Constantine I

| 322/323 – January/February 350 <hr/>Ruled Italy, Illyricum and Africa initially, then the western empire after Constantine II's death. Overthrown and killed by Magnentius

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantius II

| 9 September 337 – 3 November 361

| Son of Constantine I

| 7 August 317 – 3 November 361 <hr/>Ruled the east initially, then the whole empire after the death of Magnentius. Died of a fever shortly after planning to fight a war against Julian

! colspan=5 |  

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 100px

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | Magnentius ()

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 18 January 350 – 10 August 353

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Proclaimed emperor by the troops, in opposition to Constans I

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | c. 303 – 10 August 353 <hr/>Committed suicide after losing the Battle of Mons Seleucus

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=coin

| style="text-align:center" | Vetranio

| 1 March – 25 December 350

| General of Constans in Illyricum, acclaimed by the Illyrian legions at the expense of Magnentius, briefly recognized by Constantius II

| Unknown – c. 356<hr/>Abdicated in Constantius II's favor, retired, and died 6 years later

! colspan=5 |  

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | Nepotianus ()

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 3 June – 30 June 350

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Son of Eutropia, a daughter of Constantius I. Proclaimed emperor in Rome in opposition to Magnentius.

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Unknown – 30 June 350<hr/>Captured and executed by supporters of Magnentius

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Julian "the Apostate"

| 3 November 361 – 26 June 363

| Cousin and heir of Constantius II, acclaimed by the Gallic army around February 360; entered Constantinople on 11 December 361

| 331 – 26 June 363 <hr/>Last non-Christian emperor. Mortally wounded during a campaign against Persia.

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Jovian

| 27 June 363 – 17 February 364

| Commander of imperial household guard; acclaimed by the army after Julian's death

| 330/331 – 17 February 364 <hr/>Died before reaching the capital, possibly due to inhaling toxic fumes or indigestion. Last emperor to rule the whole Empire during his entire reign.

Valentinianic dynasty (364–392)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" |  Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Valentinian I "the Great"

| 25/26 February 364 – 17 November 375

| General; proclaimed emperor by the army after Jovian's death

| 321 – 17 November 375 <hr/>Last emperor to cross the Rhine into Germania. Died of a stroke while yelling at envoys

| 100px

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Valens

| 28 March 364 – 9 August 378

| Brother of Valentinian I, made eastern emperor by his brother (Valentinian retaining the west)

| 328 – 9 August 378 <hr/>Killed at the Battle of Adrianople

! colspan=5 |  

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | Procopius ()

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 28 September 365 – 27 May 366

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Maternal cousin of Julian; revolted against Valens and captured Constantinople, where the people proclaimed him emperor

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 326 – 27/28 May 366 <hr/>Deposed, captured and executed by Valens

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Gratian

| 17 November 375 – 25 August 383

| Son of Valentinian I; proclaimed western co-emperor on 24 August 367, at age 8. Emperor in his own right after Valentinian's death

| 18 April 359 – 25 August 383 <hr/>Killed by Andragathius, an officer of Magnus Maximus

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Magnus Maximus

| 25 August 383 – 28 August 388

| General, related to Theodosius I; proclaimed emperor by the troops in Britain. Briefly recognized by Theodosius I and Valentinian II

| Unknown – 28 August 388<hr/>Defeated by Theodosius I at the Battle of Save, executed after surrendering

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=statue

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Valentinian II

| 28 August 388 – 15 May 392

| Son of Valentinian I, proclaimed co-emperor on 22 November 375, at age 4. Sole western ruler after the defeat of Magnus Maximus in 388

| 371 – 15 May 392 <hr/>Dominated by regents and co-emperors his entire reign. Probably suicide, possibly killed by Arbogast

! colspan=5 |  

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | Eugenius ()

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 22 August 392 – 6 September 394

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Teacher of Latin grammar and rhetoric, secretary of Valentinian II. Proclaimed emperor by Arbogast

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Unknown – 6 September 394<hr/>Defeated by Theodosius I at the Battle of the Frigidus and executed

Theodosian dynasty (379–457)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="15%" | Name

! scope=col width="24%" | Reign

! scope=col width="24%" | Succession

! scope=col width="30%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Theodosius I "the Great"

| 19 January 379 – 17 January 395

| Retired general; proclaimed eastern emperor by Gratian after the death of Valens

| 11 January 346/347 – 17 January 395 <hr/>Last emperor to briefly rule over the two halves of the Empire after the Battle of the Frigidus. Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Arcadius

| 17 January 395 – 1 May 408

| Son of Theodosius I; co-emperor since 16 January 383. Emperor in the east

| 377 – 1 May 408 <hr/>Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=carved portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Honorius

| 17 January 395 – 15 August 423

| Son of Theodosius I; co-emperor since 23 January 393. Emperor in the west

| 9 September 384 – 15 August 423 <hr/>Reigned under several successive regencies, most notably Stilicho. His reign saw the first sack of Rome in eight centuries. Died of edema

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine III

| 407 – 411

| Common soldier, proclaimed emperor by the troops in Britain. Recognized by Honorius in 409. Emperor in the west

| Unknown – 411 (before 18 September)<hr/>Surrendered to Constantius, a general of Honorius, and abdicated. Sent to Italy but murdered on the way

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Theodosius II "the Calligrapher"

| 1 May 408 – 28 July 450

| Son of Arcadius; co-emperor since 10 January 402. Emperor in the east

| 10 April 401 – 28 July 450 <hr/>His reign saw the promulgation of the Theodosian Code and the construction of the Theodosian Walls. Died of a fall from his horse

! colspan=5 |  

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | alt=coin|100x100px

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | Priscus Attalus ()

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Late 409 – summer 410

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | A leading member of the Senate, proclaimed emperor by Alaric after the Sack of Rome. Emperor in the west

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Unknown lifespan<hr/>Deposed by Alaric after reconciling with Honorius. Tried to claim the throne again 414–415 but was defeated and forced into exile; fate unknown

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantius III

| 8 February – 2 September 421 ;

| Prominent general under Honorius and husband of Galla Placidia, a daughter of Theodosius I. Made co-emperor by Honorius. Emperor in the west

| Unknown – 2 September 421<hr/>De facto ruler since 411; helped Honorius defeat numerous usurpers & foreign enemies. Died of illness

! colspan=5 |  

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | Joannes ()

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 20 November 423 – May 425

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Senior civil servant, seized power in Rome and the west after Theodosius II delayed in nominating a successor of Honorius

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Unknown – May 425<hr/>Captured by the forces of Theodosius II, brought to Constantinople and executed

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Valentinian III

| 23 October 425 – 16 March 455

| Son of Constantius III, grandson of Theodosius I and great-grandson of Valentinian I, installed as emperor of the west by Theodosius II

| 2 July 419 – 16 March 455 <hr/>Faced the invasion of the Huns. Murdered by Optelas and Thraustelas, retainers of Aetius

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Marcian

| 25 August 450 – 27 January 457

| Soldier and official, proclaimed emperor after marrying Pulcheria, a daughter of Arcadius. Emperor in the east

| 391/392 – 27 January 457 <hr/>Died after a prolonged period of illness

Last western emperors (455–476)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="15%" | Name

! scope=col width="24%" | Reign

! scope=col width="24%" | Succession

! scope=col width="30%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Petronius Maximus

| 17 March – 31 May 455

| General and civil official, murdered Valentinian III and married his widow, Licinia Eudoxia

| c. 397 – 31 May 455<hr/>Killed by a mob while fleeing during the Vandalic sack of Rome

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Avitus

| 9 July 455 – 17 October 456

| General; proclaimed emperor by the Visigoths and Gallo-Romans after the death of Petronius Maximus

| Late 4th century – 456/457<hr/>Defeated and deposed by the magister militum Ricimer, became a bishop. Died shortly after of either natural causes, strangulation, or being starved to death

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Majorian

| 28 December 457 – 2 August 461

| General; proclaimed by the army, backed by Ricimer

| Unknown – 7 August 461<hr/>Reconquered Gaul, Hispania and Dalmatia. Deposed and executed by Ricimer

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Libius Severus

| 19 November 461 – 14 November 465

| Proclaimed emperor by Ricimer

| Unknown – 14 November 465<hr/>Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Anthemius

| 12 April 467 – 11 July 472

| General; great-grandson of Procopius, a cousin of Julian, and husband of Marcia Euphemia, a daughter of Marcian. Proclaimed western emperor by Leo I

| Unknown – 11 July 472<hr/>The last effective emperor of the West. Murdered by Gundobad after a civil war with Ricimer

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Olybrius

| April – 2 November 472

| Husband of Placidia, a daughter of Valentinian III. Proclaimed emperor by Ricimer

| Unknown – 2 November 472<hr/>Died of dropsy

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Glycerius

| 3/5 March 473 – 24 June 474

| General; proclaimed emperor by Gundobad

| Unknown lifespan<hr/>Deposed by Julius Nepos and made a bishop, subsequent fate unknown

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Julius Nepos

| 24 June 474 – 28 August 475

----August 475 – 9 May 480

| General; married to a relative of Verina, the wife of the eastern emperor Leo I. Installed as western emperor by Leo

| Unknown – 9 May 480<hr/>Fled to Dalmatia in the face of an attack by his magister militum Orestes. Continued to claim to be emperor in exile. Murdered by his retainers

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Romulus "Augustulus"

| 31 October 475 – 4 September 476

| Proclaimed emperor by his father, the magister militum Orestes

| Roughly 465 – after 507/511?<hr/>The last western emperor. Deposed by the Germanic general Odoacer and retired. Possibly alive as late as 507 or 511; fate unknown

Later Eastern emperors (457–1453)

Leonid dynasty (457–518)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=bust

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Leo I "the Thracian"

| 7 February 457 – 18 January 474

| Low-ranking army officer; chosen by the magister militum Aspar to succeed Marcian

| 400/401 – 18 January 474 <hr/>First emperor to be crowned by the Patriarch of Constantinople. Died of dysentery

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Leo II "the Younger"

| 18 January – November 474

| Grandson of Leo I and son of Zeno; co-emperor since 17 November 473

| 467 – November 474 <hr/>Youngest emperor at the time of his death. Died of illness

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Zeno

| 29 January 474 – 9 January 475

| Husband of Ariadne, a daughter of Leo I, and father of Leo II. Crowned senior co-emperor with the approval of the Senate

| 425 – 9 April 491 <hr/>Fled to Isauria in the face of a Revolt led by his mother-in-law Verina & Basiliscus.

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Basiliscus

| 9 January 475 – August 476

| Brother of Verina, the wife of Leo I. Proclaimed emperor by his sister in opposition to Zeno and seized Constantinople

| Unknown – 476/477<hr/>Deposed by Zeno upon his return to Constantinople; imprisoned in a dried-up reservoir and starved to death

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Zeno

| August 476 – 9 April 491

| Retook the throne with the help of general Illus

| 425 – 9 April 491 <hr/>Saw the end of the Western Roman Empire. Died of dysentery or epilepsy

| 100px|alt=carved portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Anastasius I "Dicorus"

| 11 April 491 – 9 July 518

| Government official; chosen by Ariadne, whom he married, to succeed Zeno

| 430/431 – 9 July 518 <hr/>Oldest emperor at the time of his death. Died of natural causes

Justinian dynasty (518–602)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Justin I "the Thracian"

| 9/10 July 518 – 1 August 527

| Soldier; proclaimed emperor by the troops after the death of Anastasius I

| 450 – 1 August 527 <hr/>Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=mosaic

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Justinian I "the Great"

| 1 April 527 – 14 November 565

| Nephew and adoptive son of Justin I

| 482 – 14 November 565 <hr/>Temporarily reconquered half of the Western Roman Empire, including Rome. Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Justin II

| 14 November 565 – 5 October 578

| Son of Vigilantia, sister of Justinian I

| Unknown – 5 October 578<hr/>Lost most of Italy to the Lombards by 570. Suffered an attack of dementia in 574, whereafter the government was run by regents. Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Tiberius II Constantine

| 26 September 578 – 14 August 582

| Adoptive son of Justin II

| Mid-6th century – 14 August 582<hr/>Died after a sudden illness, supposedly after accidentally eating bad food

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Maurice

| 13 August 582 – 27 November 602

| Husband of Constantina, a daughter of Tiberius II

| 539 – 27 November 602 <hr/>Captured and executed by troops loyal to Phocas

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=statue portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Phocas

| 23 November 602 – 5 October 610

| Centurion in the army; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Maurice

| 547 – 5 October 610 <hr/>Deposed and then beheaded on the orders of Heraclius

Heraclian dynasty (610–695)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Heraclius

| 5 October 610 – 11 February 641

| Son of Heraclius the Elder, the exarch of Carthage. Led a revolt against Phocas

| 574/575 – 11 February 641 <hr/>Ended the Persian Wars, but suffered the loss of the Levant to the Muslims. Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Heraclius Constantine

| 11 February – 25 May 641

| Son of Heraclius; co-emperor since 22 January 613

| 3 May 612 – 25 May 641 <hr/>Died of tuberculosis

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Heraclonas

| 25 May – 5 November (?) 641

| Son of Heraclius; co-emperor since 4 July 638. Co-ruler with Constantine and then sole emperor under the regency of his mother Martina

| 626 – unknown<hr/>Deposed, mutilated and exiled, subsequent fate unknown

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constans II "the Bearded"

| September 641 – 15 July 668

| Son of Heraclius Constantine; proclaimed co-emperor by Heraclonas at age 11

| 7 November 630 – 15 July 668 <hr/>Lost Egypt in 641. Murdered in Sicily while bathing by supporters of Mezezius

| 100px|alt=mosaic

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine IV "the Younger"

| September 668 – 10 July (?) 685

| Son of Constans II; co-emperor since 13 April 654

| Roughly 650 – 10 July (?) 685 <hr/>Defeated the First Arab Siege of Constantinople. Died of dysentery

| 100px|alt=mosaic

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Justinian II "Rhinotmetus"

| July 685 – 695

| Son of Constantine IV, chosen as successor over Constans' sons

| 668/669 – 4 November 711 <hr/>Deposed and mutilated (hence his nickname, "Slit-nosed") by Leontius in 695; returned to the throne in 705

Twenty Years' Anarchy (695–717)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Leontius

| 695 – 698

| General; deposed Justinian II

| Unknown – 15 February (?) 706<hr/>Lost Africa & Carthage to the Muslims. Deposed by Tiberius III in 698 and later executed by Justinian II in 706

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Tiberius III

| 698 – 21 August (?) 705

| General; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Leontius

| Unknown – 15 February (?) 706<hr/>Deposed and later executed by Justinian II alongside Leontius

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Justinian II "Rhinotmetus"

| 21 August (?) 705 – 4 November 711

| Retook the throne with the aid of the Khazars

| 668/669 – 4 November 711 <hr/>Killed by supporters of Philippicus after fleeing Constantinople

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Philippicus

| 4 November 711 – 3 June 713

| General; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Justinian II

| Unknown – 20 January 714/715<hr/>Deposed and blinded in favor of Anastasius II, later died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Anastasius II

| 4 June 713 – fall 715

| Senior court official, proclaimed emperor after the deposition of Philippicus

| Unknown – 1 June 719<hr/>Abdicated to Theodosius III after a six-month civil war, becoming a monk. Beheaded by Leo III after an attempt to retake the throne

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Theodosius III

| Fall 715 – 25 March 717

| Tax-collector, possibly son of Tiberius III; proclaimed emperor by the troops against Anastasius II

| Unknown lifespan<hr/>Deposed by Leo III, whereafter he became a monk. His subsequent fate is unknown.

Isaurian (Syrian) dynasty (717–802)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Leo III "the Isaurian"

| 25 March 717 – 18 June 741

| General; deposed Theodosius III

| 685 – 18 June 741 <hr/>Ended Muslim expansion in Anatolia. Died of dropsy

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine V "Copronymus"

| 18 June 741 – 14 September 775

| Son of Leo III; co-emperor since 31 March 720

| 718 – 14 September 775 <hr/>Last emperor to rule over Rome. Vilified by later historians for his religious policies, hence his nickname "Dung-Named". Died of a fever

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | Artabasdos ()

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | June 741 – 2 November 743

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Husband of Anna, a daughter of Leo III. Revolted against Constantine V and briefly ruled at Constantinople

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Unknown lifespan<hr/>Deposed and blinded by Constantine V, relegated to a monastery where he died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Leo IV "the Khazar"

| 14 September 775 – 8 September 780

| Son of Constantine V; co-emperor since 6 June 751

| 25 January 750 – 8 September 780 <hr/>Died of a fever

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine VI "the Blind"

| 8 September 780 – 19 August 797

| Son of Leo IV; co-emperor since 14 April 776

| 14 January 771 – before 805 <hr/>Last emperor to be recognized in the West. Deposed, blinded and exiled by Irene

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Irene

| 19 August 797 – 31 October 802

| Widow of Leo IV and former regent of Constantine VI. Became co-ruler in 792. Dethroned and blinded her son Constantine in 797, becoming the first female ruler of the empire

| c. 752 – 9 August 803 <hr/>Deposed by Nikephoros I and exiled to Lesbos, where she died of natural causes

Nikephorian dynasty (802–813)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 95px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Nikephoros I "the Logothete"

| 31 October 802 – 26 July 811

| Court official; proclaimed emperor in opposition to Irene

| 760 – 26 July 811 <hr/>Killed at the Battle of Pliska

| alt=coin|95px

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Staurakios

| 28 July – 2 October 811

| Son of Nikephoros I; co-emperor since 25 December 803. Proclaimed emperor after the death of his father

| 790s – 11 January 812 <hr/>Wounded at Pliska; abdicated in favor of Michael I and became a monk

| 95px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Michael I Rangabe

| 2 October 811 – 11 July 813

| Husband of Prokopia, a daughter of Nikephoros I

| c. 770 – 11 January 844 <hr/>Abdicated in 813 in favor of Leo V after suffering a defeat at the Battle of Versinikia and retired as a monk

! colspan=5 |  

| 95px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Leo V "the Armenian"

| 11 July 813 – 25 December 820

| General; proclaimed emperor after the Battle of Versinikia

| c. 775 – 25 December 820 <hr/>Murdered while in church by supporters of Michael II

Amorian dynasty (820–867)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Michael II "the Amorian"

| 25 December 820 – 2 October 829

| General sentenced to execution by Leo V; proclaimed emperor by Leo V's assassins and crowned by Patriarch Theodotus I on the same day

| 770 – 2 October 829 <hr/>Saw the beginning of the Muslim conquest of Sicily. Died of kidney failure

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Theophilos

| 2 October 829 – 20 January 842

| Son of Michael II; co-emperor since 12 May 821

| 812/813 – 20 January 842 <hr/>Died of dysentery

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Michael III "the Drunkard"

| 20 January 842 – 24 September 867

| Son of Theophilos; co-emperor since 16 May 840. Ruled under his mother Theodora's regency until 15 March 856

| 19 January 840 – 24 September 867 <hr/>The youngest emperor. Murdered by Basil I and his supporters

Macedonian dynasty (867–1056)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Basil I "the Macedonian"

| 24 September 867 – 29 August 886

| General; proclaimed co-emperor by Michael III on 26 May 866 and became senior emperor after Michael's murder

| 811, 830 or 836 – 29 August 886 <hr/>Captured Bari in 876 & Taranto in 880. Died after a hunting accident

| 100px|alt=mosaic

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Leo VI "the Wise"

| 29 August 886 – 11 May 912

| Son of Basil I or illegitimate son of Michael III; crowned co-emperor on 6 January 870

| 19 September 866 – 11 May 912 <hr/>Conquered Southern Italy but lost the remnants of Sicily in 902. Died of an intestinal disease

| 100px|alt=mosaic

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Alexander

| 11 May 912 – 6 June 913

| Son of Basil I; co-emperor since September or October 879

| 23 November 870 – 6 June 913 <hr/>Died of illness, possibly testicular cancer

| frameless|100px|alt=carved portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus

| 6 June 913 – 9 November 959

| Son of Leo VI; co-emperor since 15 May 908. Successively dominated by regents and co-emperors until 27 January 945, when he deposed Romanos I's sons

| 17/18 May 905 – 9 November 959 <hr/>Saw the beginning of renewed expansion in the East against the Arabs. Remembered for his numerous writings. Died of natural causes

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=seal

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Romanos I Lekapenos

| 17 December 920 – 20 December 944

| Overthrew Constantine VII's regency, married him to his daughter Helena and was made senior co-emperor. Made several sons co-emperors to curb Constantine VII's authority

| 870 – 15 June 948 <hr/>Deposed by his sons Stephen and Constantine. Died of natural causes in exile as a monk

! colspan=5 |  

| frameless|100px|alt=carved portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Romanos II

| 9 November 959 – 15 March 963

| Son of Constantine VII and grandson of Romanos I; co-emperor since 6 April 945

| 938 – 15 March 963 <hr/>Reconquered Crete in 961. Died of exhaustion on a hunting trip

| 95px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Nikephoros II Phokas

| 16 August 963 – 11 December 969

| General; proclaimed emperor on 2 July 963 against the unpopular Joseph Bringas (regent for the young sons of Romanos II), entered Constantinople on 16 August 963. Married Theophano, the widow of Romanos II

| c. 912 – 11 December 969 <hr/>Reconquered Cilicia & Antioch. Murdered in a conspiracy involving his former supporters (including John I Tzimiskes) and Theophano

| 95px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | John I Tzimiskes

| 11 December 969 – 10 January 976

| Nephew of Nikephoros II, took his place as senior co-emperor

| c. 925 – 10 January 976 <hr/>Reconquered Eastern Thrace from the First Bulgarian Empire. Possibly poisoned by Basil Lekapenos

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Basil II "the Bulgar-Slayer"

| 10 January 976 – 15 December 1025

| Son of Romanos II; co-emperor since 22 April 960, briefly reigned as senior emperor in March–August 963. Succeeded as senior emperor upon the death of John I

| 958 – 15 December 1025 <hr/>The longest-reigning emperor; best known for his reconquest of Bulgaria. Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine VIII

| 15 December 1025 – 12 November 1028

| Son of Romanos II and brother of Basil II; co-emperor since 30 March 962

| 960 – 12 November 1028 <hr/>De jure longest-reigning emperor. Died of natural causes

| 95px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Romanos III Argyros

| 12 November 1028 – 11 April 1034

| Husband of Zoë, a daughter of Constantine VIII

| c. 968 – 11 April 1034 <hr/>Temporarily reconquered Edessa in 1031. Either poisoned or drowned on Zoë's orders

| 95px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Michael IV "the Paphlagonian"

| 12 April 1034 – 10 December 1041

| Lover of Zoë, made emperor after their marriage following Romanos III's death

| c. 1010 – 10 December 1041 <hr/>Died of epilepsy

| 95px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Michael V "Kalaphates"

| 13 December 1041 – 21 April 1042

| Nephew and designated heir of Michael IV, proclaimed emperor by Zoë three days after Michael IV's death

| c. 1015 – unknown<hr/>Deposed in a popular uprising after attempting to sideline Zoë, blinded and forced to become a monk

| 100px|alt=mosaic

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Zoë Porphyrogenita

| 21 April – 11 June 1042

| Daughter of Constantine VIII and widow of Romanos III and Michael IV. Ruled in her own right from Michael V's deposition until her marriage to Constantine IX.

| c. 978 – 1050 <hr/>Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=Portrait from the Monomachos crown

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Theodora Porphyrogenita

| 21 April – 11 June 1042

| Daughter of Constantine VIII and sister of Zoë, proclaimed co-empress during the revolt that deposed Michael V

| c. 980 – 31 August 1056 <hr/>Sidelined after Zoë's marriage to Constantine IX, returned to the throne in 1055

| 100px|alt=mosaic

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine IX Monomachos

| 11 June 1042 – 11 January 1055

| Husband of Zoë, crowned the day after their marriage

| c. 1006 – 11 January 1055 <hr/>Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=Portrait from the Monomachos crown

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Theodora Porphyrogenita

| 11 January 1055 – 31 August 1056

| Claimed the throne again after Constantine IX's death as the last living member of the Macedonian dynasty

| c. 980 – 31 August 1056 <hr/>Died of natural causes

! colspan=5 |  

| 95px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Michael VI Bringas "Stratiotikos"

| 22 August 1056 – 30 August 1057

| Allegedly proclaimed emperor by Theodora on her deathbed

| 980s/990s – c. 1057 <hr/>Deposed in a revolt, retired to a monastery and died soon afterwards

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Isaac I Komnenos

| 1 September 1057 – 22 November 1059

| General, proclaimed emperor on 8 June 1057 in opposition to Michael VI

| c. 1007 – 31 May/1 June 1060 <hr/>Abdicated to Constantine X due to illness and hostile courtiers, became a monk

Doukas dynasty (1059–1078)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Constantine X Doukas

| 23 November 1059 – 23 May 1067

| Designated as emperor by Isaac I Komnenos during his abdication

| 1006 – 23 May 1067 <hr/>Lost nearly all Italian territories to the Normans. Died of natural causes

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" | Eudokia Makrembolitissa (§)

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | 23 May – 31 December 1067

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Widow of Constantine X; either regent on behalf of their sons or co-ruler alongside them until her marriage to Romanos IV. Briefly resumed her regency in September 1071

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | c. 1030 – after 1078<hr/>Became a nun in November 1071 and later died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=coin

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Romanos IV Diogenes

| 1 January 1068 – 26 August 1071

| Husband of Eudokia. Regent and senior co-emperor together with Constantine X's and Eudokia's children

| c. 1032 – 4 August 1072 <hr/>Captured at Manzikert by the Seljuk Turks. After his release blinded on 29 June 1072 by John Doukas, later dying of his wounds

| 100px|alt=portrait from the Holy Crown of Hungary

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Michael VII Doukas "Parapinakes"

| 1 October 1071 – 24/31 March 1078

| Son of Constantine X; made co-emperor in 1060 with Eudokia and Romanos IV. Proclaimed sole emperor after Romanos' defeat at the Battle of Manzikert

| c. 1050 – c. 1090 <hr/>Lost nearly all of Anatolia to the Turks. Forced to become a monk after a popular uprising. Died of natural causes several years later

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Nikephoros III Botaneiates

| 3 April 1078 – 1 April 1081

| General; revolted against Michael VII on 2 July or 2 October 1077 and entered Constantinople on 27 March or 3 April. Married Maria of Alania, the former wife of Michael VII

| 1001/1002 – c. 1081 <hr/>Abdicated after Alexios I captured Constantinople, became a monk and died of natural causes, probably later in the same year

Komnenos dynasty (1081–1185)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Alexios I Komnenos

| 1 April 1081 – 15 August 1118

| Nephew of Isaac I, also husband of Irene Doukaina, a grand-niece of Constantine X. General; revolted against Nikephoros III on 14 February 1081. Seized Constantinople on 1 April; crowned on 4 April

| 1057 – 15 August 1118 <hr/>Started the Crusades & the reconquest of Anatolia. Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=mosaic

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | John II Komnenos "the Good"

| 15 August 1118 – 8 April 1143

| Son of Alexios I, co-emperor since about September 1092

| 13 September 1087 – 8 April 1143 <hr/>Reconquered most of Anatolia by the time of his death. Died of injuries sustained in a hunting accident, possibly assassinated (perhaps involving Raymond of Poitiers or supporters of Manuel I)

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Manuel I Komnenos "the Great"

| 8 April 1143 – 24 September 1180

| Youngest son and allegedly designated heir of John II on his deathbed, crowned in November 1143 after a few months of having to establish his rights

| 28 November 1118 – 24 September 1180 <hr/>Last emperor to attempt reconquests in the west. Died of natural causes

| alt=miniature portrait|100px

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Alexios II Komnenos

| 24 September 1180 – c. September 1183

| Son of Manuel I; co-emperor since 1171

| 14 September 1169 – c. September 1183 <hr/>Strangled on the orders of Andronikos I, body thrown in the sea

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Andronikos I Komnenos

| c. September 1183 – 12 September 1185

| Son of Isaac Komnenos, a son of Alexios I. Overthrew the regency of Alexios II in April 1182, crowned co-emperor in 1183 and shortly thereafter had Alexios II murdered

| c. 1118/1120 – 12 September 1185 <hr/>Overthrown by Isaac II, tortured and mutilated in the imperial palace, then slowly dismembered alive by a mob in the Hippodrome

Angelos dynasty (1185–1204)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Isaac II Angelos

| 12 September 1185 – 8 April 1195

| Great-grandson of Alexios I. Resisted an order of arrest issued by Andronikos I, after which he was proclaimed emperor by the people of Constantinople. Captured and killed Andronikos I

| 1156 – January 1204 <hr/>Suffered the loss of Bulgaria. Overthrown and blinded by Alexios III in 1195, reinstalled in 1203

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Alexios III Angelos

| 8 April 1195 – 17/18 July 1203

| Elder brother of Isaac II, overthrew and blinded his brother

| c. 1153 – 1211/1212 <hr/>Fled after brief resistance against the Fourth Crusade. Died a natural death after being captured and forced to become a monk by Theodore I

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | —

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#EBEBEB" | John Komnenos (#) "The Fat"

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | 31 July 1201 (or 1200) (less than a day)

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Great-grandson of John II, crowned himself in Hagia Sophia and briefly overthrew Alexios III by capturing the Great Palace

| style="background:#EBEBEB" | Unknown – 1200/1201<hr/> Captured, then executed with his supporters by the loyalist forces of Alexios III

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Alexios IV Angelos

| 19 July 1203 – 27 January 1204

| Son of Isaac II, overthrew Alexios III with the help of the crusaders as part of the Fourth Crusade, then named co-emperor alongside his blinded father

| c. 1182/1183 – c. 8 February 1204 <hr/>Deposed and imprisoned by Alexios V, then strangled in prison

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Isaac II Angelos

| 19 July 1203 – 27 January (?) 1204

| Freed from imprisonment during the Fourth Crusade by courtiers and reinstated as ruler after Alexios III abandoned the defense of Constantinople

| c. 1156 – January 1204 <hr/>Became senile or demented and died of natural causes or was poisoned around the time of Alexios V's coup

! colspan=5 |  

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Alexios V Doukas "Mourtzouphlos"

| 27/28 January – 12 April 1204

| Seized power through a palace coup, son-in-law of Alexios III.

| c. 1139 – c. late November 1204 <hr/>Fled during the sack of Constantinople. Blinded by Alexios III, later captured by crusader Thierry de Loos and thrown from the Column of Theodosius

Laskaris dynasty (1205–1261)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Theodore I Laskaris

| August 1204 (?) – November 1221

| Husband of Anna Komnene Angelina, a daughter of Alexios III. Organized resistance against the Latin Empire in Nicaea and proclaimed himself emperor; crowned by Patriarch Michael IV on 6 April 1208.

| c. 1174 – November 1221 <hr/>Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | John III Vatatzes

| December 1221 – 3 November 1254

| Husband of Irene Laskarina, a daughter of Theodore I

| c. 1192 – 3 November 1254 <hr/>Started Nicaean expansionism. Died of natural causes

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Theodore II Laskaris

| 3 November 1254 – 16 August 1258

| Son of John III and grandson of Theodore I, co-emperor since about 1235

| November 1221 – 16 August 1258 <hr/>Died of epilepsy

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | John IV Laskaris

| 16 August 1258 – 25 December 1261

| Son and co-emperor of Theodore II

| 25 December 1250 – c. 1305 <hr/>Blinded, deposed and imprisoned by Michael VIII Palaiologos in 1261, died in captivity several decades later

Palaiologos dynasty (1259–1453)

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; text-align:center"

! scope=col width="7%" | Portrait

! scope=col width="17%" | Name

! scope=col width="26%" | Reign

! scope=col width="25%" | Succession

! scope=col width="25%" | Life details

| 100px|alt=miniature portrait

! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Michael VIII Palaiologos

| 1 January 1259 – 11 December 1282

| Great-grandson of Alexios III; became regent for John IV in 1258 and crowned co-emperor in 1259. Regained Constantinople on 25 July 1261, entered the city on 15 August. Became sole ruler after deposing John IV on 25 December

| 1224/1225 – 11 December 1282 <hr/>Died of dysentery

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Andronikos II Palaiologos

| 11 December 1282 – 24 May 1328

| Son of Michael VIII; named co-emperor shortly after 1261, crowned on 8 November 1272

| 25 March 1259 – 13 February 1332 <hr/>Deposed by his grandson Andronikos III in 1328 and became a monk, dying of natural causes four years later

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F0FFFF" |   Michael IX Palaiologos (§)

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | 21 May 1294 – 12 October 1320

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | Son and co-ruler of Andronikos II, named co-emperor in 1281, crowned on 21 May 1294

| style="background:#F0FFFF" | 17 April 1277/1278 – 12 October 1320 <hr/>Allegedly died of grief due to the accidental murder of his second son, probably died of natural causes

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Andronikos III Palaiologos

| 24 May 1328 – 15 June 1341

| Son of Michael IX, named co-emperor between 1308 and 1313. Fought with his grandfather Andronikos II for power from April 1321 onwards. Crowned emperor on 2 February 1325, became sole emperor after deposing Andronikos II

| 25 March 1297 – 15 June 1341 <hr/>Last Emperor to effectively control Greece. Died of sudden illness, possibly malaria

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | John V Palaiologos

| 15 June 1341 – 12 August 1376

| Son of Andronikos III, not formally crowned until 19 November 1341. Dominated by regents until 1354, faced numerous usurpations and civil wars

| 18 June 1332 – 16 February 1391 <hr/>Lost almost all territories outside Constantinople. Deposed by Andronikos III Palaiologos in 1376, later restored to the throne in 1379.

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | John VI Kantakouzenos

| 8 February 1347 – 10 December 1354

| Related to the Palaiologoi through his mother. Proclaimed by the army on 26 October 1341, became regent and senior co-emperor after a lengthy civil war with John V's mother, Anna. Entered Constantinople on 8 February, crowned on 21 May 1347

| 1295 – 15 June 1383 <hr/>Deposed by John V in another civil war and retired, becoming a monk. Died of natural causes several decades later

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | Andronikos IV Palaiologos

| 12 August 1376 – 1 July 1379 May 1381 – June 1385

| Son of John V and grandson of John VI; named co-emperor and heir in 1352, but was imprisoned and partially blinded after a failed rebellion in May 1373. Rebelled again and successfully deposed his father in 1376 with support of the Genoese; not formally crowned until 18 October 1377

| 11 April 1348 – 25/28 June 1385 <hr/>Deposed by John V in 1379; fled to Galata in exile but was restored as co-emperor and heir in May 1381, ruling over Selymbria and the coast of Marmara. Rebelled again in June 1385 but died shortly thereafter

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! scope=row style="text-align:center; background:#F8F9FA" | John V Palaiologos

| 1 July 1379 – 14 April 1390