The Julio-Claudian dynasty was a series of five Roman emperors who ruled from 27 BCE to 68 CE. Founded by Augustus Caesar, the dynasty was named for the family of Julius Caesar, Augustus's adoptive father, and the Claudii, the family of Augustus's wife, Livia Drusilla. The Julio-Claudian emperors were known for their ambitious building projects, such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon, as well as their military conquests, which expanded the Roman Empire to its greatest extent. However, the dynasty was also marked by political instability and violence, including the reigns of the infamous emperors Caligula and Nero. The Julio-Claudian dynasty came to an end with the death of Nero in 68 CE, after which the Roman Empire entered a period of civil war and political upheaval.
