The MBTI types as Roman emperors
ENTJ, ESTJ - Julius Caesar (100 BC - 44 BC)
Although not an emperor, Julius Caesar played a huge rule in the transformation of the Roman republic into an empire. An alleged descendent of the Trojan prince Aeneas, he came to power in a time of instability in Rome, becoming an influential military general and later a dictator. However, his ruling like a king and massive power wasn’t welcomed by everyone, especially the Senate. In 44 BC, as a result of a conspiracy by many Roman senators, Caesar was assassinated.
“I came, I saw, I conquered.”
INTJ, ISTJ - Augustus (63 BC - 14 AD)
Octavian (later to be known as Augustus) became the first emperor of Rome after the death of his uncle Julius Caesar, who, impressed with Octavian, had declared him heir of both his fortune and name. After Caesar’s death, many were trying to fill the void of power left in the empire, but Octavian ultimately came out victorious. He was popular among the people, and under his rule the empire grew to a level of prosperity and strength never achieved in Rome before. He established a rare peace in the empire that would last over 200 years.
“I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble.”
ISTP, INTP - Tiberius (42 BC - 37 AD)
Tiberius was the reluctant second emperor of the Roman empire. He was considered modest, and although he started many projects, he seldom finished them. Initially, his rule improved the empire, but he was never popular with the Senate, and grew increasingly cruel and isolated in his later years. In 27 AD, Tiberius retired to Capri, where he was isolated from the political scene and free to pursue his other interests. He appointed Sejanus to manage most of his political affairs, but after suspecting that he was trying to seize his power, Tiberius had him excecuted, among many others.
“To have command is to have all the power you will ever need. To have all the power you will ever need, is to have the world in the palm of your hand.”
ESFP, ENFP - Caligula (12 AD - 41 AD)
Caligula, the successor to Tiberius, was probably the most infamous emperor of all. His four-year-long rule, although short, was enough to lead to his eventual assassination. At first, his succession was welcomed in Rome after the unpopular rule of Tiberius, but he soon became hated for his cruelty and his choosing of excessive partying over seeing to the rule of the empire. He declared himself as a living god, humiliated the Senate, and brutally eliminated political rivals. He was murdered, along with his wife and daughter, in 41 AD.
“Let them hate me, so long as they fear me.”
ISFP, INFP - Nero (37 AD - 68 AD)
Nero took the throne at 17, and after a long power struggle between him and his mother, eventually had her killed. Previously considered as a generous and rational leader, Nero soon became excessively self-indulgent and tyrannical, spending massive amounts of money on artistic pursuits and eliminating anyone who threatened his power. In 64 came the Great Fire, which burned for 10 days and destroyed 75 percent of the city. Many Romans believed that it was Nero who started the fire, but Nero blamed the Christians, and thus began the persecution and torture of Christians in Rome. Nero soon fled Rome and took his own life after being declared an enemy of the people.
ENFJ, ESFJ - Trajan (53 AD - 117 AD)
Trajan was one of the greatest emperors to rule over the empire, known as a “soldier-emperor” due to spending so much time in the army. He had many public works built throughout the empire, including bridges, aqueducts, baths, roads, public buildings, and canals. Not only this, but he had a passion for war, and he won three major conflicts against the Dacians, leading to the empire reaching its greatest size ever under his rule.
“He expended vast sums on wars and vast sums on works of peace; and while making very most necessary repairs on roads and harbors and public buildings, he drained no one’s blood for these undertakings.” - Roman historian Cassius Dio about Trajan
INFJ, ISFJ - Marcus Aurelius (121 AD - 180 AD)
Known for his philosophical interests, Aurelius was one of the most respected and admired emperors in Roman history, the last of the “Five Good Emperors”. His greatest interest was Stoicism, a philosophy that emphasized fate, reason and self-restraint, and he sought to rule according to its principles despite the incessant warfare that plagued his rule. He is known for placing the needs of the people above his own ambitions, his skill and competency as a general, and his most famous work, The Meditations, chronicling his insights and ideas on the Stoic philosophy.
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.”
ESTP, ENTP - Commodus (161 AD - 192 AD)
Despite being the son of Marcus Aurelius, Commodus was nothing like him and ruled mercilessly, even thinking himself as the reincarnation of the Greek demigod Hercules. He was more interested in the pursuit of wordly pleasures than leading the kingdom, leading to what some consider as the start of the decline of the Roman empire. He took part in spectacles at the amphitheater, fighting skilled gladiators and ferocious beasts alike, trying to prove his godliness. The army and lower classes loved him, but nonetheless, he was eventually assassinated, strangled to death in his bath.
“The effect of Commodus upon the Romans was worse than that of all pestilences and all villanies.” - Roman historian Cassius Dio about Commodus
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