43 - 410 Epic Empire Builders

Born Gaius Julius Caesar to a modest aristocratic family in 100 BC, he is an historical icon, his name is known the world over. Despite dying in 44 BC, this man set out to better himself. He was a gifted writer, poet, scholar, orator, politician, general and, eventually, dictator. He led Rome's transition from republic to empire (although he was never emperor himself) and continues to elicit debate among historians and lay-people alike.

He came.  He saw.  He got murdered.

Born Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus to a wealthy family in 63 BC, he was named heir on the assassination of his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. He vowed to avenge Caesar and In 31 BC, he defeated Anthony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium and was now the undisputed ruler of Rome. He replaced the Roman republic with an effective monarchy and during his long reign brought peace and stability. A ruler of great ability and vision.

On his death, Augustus was proclaimed by the Senate to be a Roman god - the first emperor of the Roman Empire.

'I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble'.

Born Caligula in 12 AD, known as Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, and was the third Roman emperor (37-41 AD).

He was renowned as a sexual deviant and a murderous lunatic. Rumours have persisted for centuries that he made his horse a member of the senate and slept with or killed every member of his own family. This may be a case of truth and myth becoming intertwined, what we do know is that he was deranged or this is merely another case of people not wanting a good story ruined by facts... In 41 AD the Praetorian Guard assassinated Caligula, together with his wife and his daughter. He was 29 years old.

Arguably the most notorious Roman Emperor in history!

Born Nero in 37 AD, he succeeded to the throne aged just 16. He was the fifth Roman emperor (54-68 AD), and the last of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He is known as one of Rome's most infamous rulers, notorious for his cruelty, debauchery and madness. Remembered as an ineffectual, neglectful and brutal leader. His turbulent rule saw momentous events including the Great Fire of Rome, Boudicca's rebellion in Britain, the execution of his own mother and first wife, grand projects and extravagant excesses. In 68 AD, his legions and guards rose against him. The senate declared him a public enemy and he committed suicide. His succession led to civil war.

Ancient legend: Nero fiddled while Rome burned.

Born Constantine sometime between 271-273 AD, he was known as Constantine the Great. He ruled from 306-337 AD. For nearly two decades, he waged war to retain his position. He invaded Italy and defeated Mexentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge outside Rome. Legend goes, he saw a cross in the sky, and was told: "In this sign shall you conquer." He brought the civil wars to an end, reunited the Empire under his sole authority, converted and promoted the Christian Church and moved the capital from Rome to Constantinople.

His reign marked the end of Rome

as the capital of the Roman Empire.

Born Rumulus Augustulus c.460 AD. He ruled from 475-476 AD, and was the last Western Roman Emperor. He was deposed by Odovacar, a Germanic prince, an event that marked the end of the Roman Empire in the West, the end of Ancient Rome, and the beginning of the Middle Ages. Romulus was replace by upwards of a dozen non-Roman kings and princes, like Odovacar himself. Whether Anglo-Saxon in Britain, Goths in southern Gaul and Spain, or Vandals in North Africa.

Historians commented: Rome had to fall to destroy large-scale slavery and make possible, eventually, a world which valued all human beings more equally.

The Roman Empire in Western Europe had been in existence for 500 years. Its end was a major historical event.