Emperor %25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525253F%25252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525252525253F

Basil II (aka Basilius II) was the emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 976 to 1025 CE. He became known as the Bulgar-Slayer (Bulgaroktonos) for his exploits in conquering ancient Bulgaria, sweet revenge for his infamous defeat at Trajan's...

Cniva (also given as Kniva, reign circa 250 to possibly 270) was the king of the Goths who defeated Emperor Decius (reign 249-251) at the Battle of Abritus in 251. Little is known of him other than his campaign in 251, in which he successfully...

Legio I Adiutrix was a legion of the Roman army formed from veteran sailors after the death of Roman emperor Nero (r. 54-68 CE). During its long career, the legion accompanied Trajan (r. 98-117 CE) on his Dacian and Parthian campaigns, fought...

A 10th century portrait on a hanging silk scroll of Taizu, first emperor of the Song dynasty in China, r. 960-976. The extensions on the emperor's black gauze cap symbolise his power and dignity. National Palace Museum, Taipei.

The Hongwu Emperor, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 CE) who reigned from 1368 to 1398 CE. 14th century CE painted silk hanging. (National Palace Museum, Taipei)

Maximinius Thrax ruled briefly as the Roman emperor from 235 CE to his death in 238 CE. The young Roman Emperor Alexander Severus secured the imperial throne after the assassination of his cousin Elagabalus by the Praetorian Guard in 222...

The Roman Empire, at its height (c. 117), was the most extensive political and social structure in western civilization. Building upon the foundation laid by the Roman Republic, the empire became the largest and most powerful political and...

It has been said that the greatest enemy of Rome was Rome itself, and this is certainly true of the period known as the Crisis of the Third Century (also known as the Imperial Crisis, 235-284). During this time of almost 50 years, over 20...

A 16th century CE portrait on silk of Japanese Emperor Kammu (r. 781 to 806 CE) who is most noted for relocating the capital to Heiankyo (Kyoto) in 784 CE. (Enryaku-ji Monastery, near Kyoto, Japan)

A portrait of Chinese emperor Gaozu, founder of the Tang Dynasty, r. 618-626 CE.