Gratian (375-383). Western Emperor overthrown by Magnus Maximus.
Valentinian II (375-392). Proclaimed co-Emperor of the West by the Army of Gaul at the age of four. He rules as a figurehead until his death – either by suicide or murdered by Arbogast, his Frankish Magister Militum.
Theodosius I (379-395). Appointed Eastern Emperor by Gratian, he later extended his control over the whole empire. He established the Nicene version of Christianity as the state religion.
Magnus Maximus (382-388). British usurper defeated by Theodosius.
Eugenius (392-394). Pagan usurper elevated by Arbogast and defeated by Theodosius.
Arcadius (383-408). Initially co-Emperor with his father Theodosius and then sole Emperor of the East from 395.
Honorius (393-423). Initially co-Emperor with his father Theodosius and then sole Emperor of the West from 395.
Constantine III (407-411). Proclaimed Emperor by the British Army, he moved into Gaul to establish control over Britain, Gaul and Spain, leaving Honorius controlling only Italy and Africa. He fought against the Vandals in 407 and was defeated by Honorius’ general Constantius in 411.
Constans II (409-411). Constantine III’s son who was made co-Emperor.
Priscus Attalus (409 and also 414-415). A usurper who was twice proclaimed Emperor by the Goths and was deposed by Honorius’ armies.
Maximus (409-411). A Spanish usurper who rose against Constantine III and fled back to Spain when his army mutinied.
Jovinus (411-413). A usurper who briefly filled the vacuum after Constantine III’s overthrow in Gaul.
Sebastianus (412-413). Another western usurper who was appointed co-Emperor by Jovianus.
Theodosius II (408-450). Eastern Emperor and son of Arcadius.
Constantus III (421). Honorius’ general and son-in-law of Theodosius I, who was briefly recognised as co-Emperor by Honorius.
Joannes (423-425). Proclaimed Emperor of the West after Honorius’ death and supported by Aetius. He was deposed by Theodosius II’s army.
Valentinian III (425-455). Son of Constantius III and Honorius’ sister, Galla Placidia. He became West Roman Emperor when he was only 6-years-old. Galla Placidia ruled as the power behind the throne before he came of age.
Marcian (450-457). A soldier who married Theodosius II’s sister, Pulcheria, and became East Roman Emperor on Theodosius II’s death.
Petronius Maximus (455). Assumed the Western throne on Valentinian III’s death and was killed by the Roman mob as Geiseric’s Vandals sailed to Rome.
Avitus (455-456). A Gallo-Roman aristocrat proclaimed Western Emperor with the backing of the Visigoths and deposed by Ricimer.
Majorian (457-461). Made Western Emperor by Ricimer and then deposed after the failure of his attempt to re-conquer Africa from the Vandals.
Leo I (457-474). A soldier who was made East Roman Emperor by Aspar.
Libius Severus (461-465). Made Western Emperor by Ricimer but not recognised by the East.
Anthemius (467-472). An Eastern senator who became Western Emperor as a result of a deal between Ricimer and Leo. He was deposed by Ricimer.
Olybrius (472). Geiseric’s son-in-law, who had married Placidia, the youngest daughter of Valentinian III. He died of unknown causes shortly after his elevation to the Western throne.
Glycerius (473-474). Proclaimed Western Emperor by Ricimer’s nephew – the Burgundian Gundobad. Deposed by the armies of the Eastern Empire.
Julius Nepos (474-475). Put on the Western throne by the Eastern Emperor Leo.
Leo II (474). Grandson of Leo I, who may have been poisoned shortly after gaining the Eastern throne.
Zeno (474-491). Leo I’s son-in-law. He was deposed by Basilicus in 475 but regained the throne in 476.
Basiliscus (475-476). Commander of the fleet defeated by Geiseric in 468 and another brother-in-law of Leo I. He briefly seized the Eastern throne from Zeno.
Romulus Augustulus (475-467). The last West Roman Emperor, placed on the throne by his father, Orestes, who had been Attila the Hun’s secretary. He was deposed by the Italian army under Odoacer.
Anastasius I (491-518). Another of Leo I’s son-in-laws who was made Eastern Emperor by the Empress dowager, Ariadne.
Justin (518-527). Commander of Anastasius’ bodyguard who was proclaimed Emperor by the army.
Justinian (527-565). Justin’s nephew who reconquered Africa from the Vandals.