It is worthwhile to begin by remembering that the “Roman Empire” actually began as a kingdom in the 8th century BC and that after a few centuries and the expulsion of King Tarquin the Proud, Rome became a Republic. A very good detailed summary of Roman leaders of all types and through the ages may be had from our timeline of ancient rome. The following page provides access to lists of ancient Roman leaders as well as making a brief effort at placing them in their historical context for those who have little knowledge of Roman history. If we really wanted to understand Roman leaders we would also have to consider Roman women: Women not only bore great influence on roman leadership and society but at times actually took an enormous share of power, such as Fulvia wife of Mark Anthony, Cleopatra (to whom Caesar erected a statue in the Forum), Agrippina who murdered her husband Claudius and was in turn murdered by her own son Nero. The column to the right (“ans”) shows the number of years each of these ancient Roman leaders ruled.
![roman rulers roman rulers](http://www.yurtopic.com/society/history/images/roman-emperors/commodus.jpg)
It shows Latin kings followed by kings of Rome from its foundation in the year 753BC.
![roman rulers roman rulers](http://blog.contexttravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/4098790549_e82d50591c_b.jpg)
The image to the left is from an 18th century French chronology of world history.