Ancient Rulers and Emperors

Portrait engravings portraying ancient leaders including emperors and kings, highlighting their regal attire and notable features of their era.

Henry II, King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor

Henry VI (1165-1197) was the second son of Emperor Frederick I, and married the daughter of the late Norman king Roger II of Sicily, Constance of Sicily, in 1186. When his father died in 1190, he became King of Germany and Holy Roman Emperor in 1191.

Konstan II., Ostroman Emperor.

Berosus .

Bretislav I, Duke of Bohemia.

Julian (331-363), also known as Julian the Apostate, was a member of the Constantinian Dynasty and cousin to Emperor Constantius II. Emperor Constantius II made him Caesar of the western provinces in 355 while he was busy fighting the Sassanid Empire in the east, entrusting Julian against the Alamanni and Franks. Julian was proclaimed emperor by his soldiers in 360, and Constantius II died in 361 while marching to face him. Constantius claimed Julian as his rightful successor on his deathbed however.

Aurelius of Asturias (c. 740-774). King of Asturias (768-774). Portrait. Engraving. Las Glorias Nacionales. Volume II, Madrid-Barcelona edition, 1853.

Duncan I, King of Scotland.Artist: Taylor

Henry II, King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor

RONSARD, Pierre de (1524-1585). French poet. Known as 'Prince des potes et pote des princes' (Prince of poets and poet of princes). Engraving.

Severus Alexander (208-235 CE) was cousin to Emperor Elagabalus, and his heir apparent. When Elagabalus was assassinated in 222 CE, the fourteen-year-old became emperor, under the auspice of his grandmother Julia Maesa, who had arranged for Alexander's accession just as she had done with Elagabalus before him. Alexander quickly did much to correct the domestic troubles Elagabalus had caused, cleaning up the image of the imperial throne and improving the morals and dignity of the state. His reign was considered prosperous, but militarily, the Empire was faced against the rising threat of the Sassanid Empire in the east, as well as the tribes of Germania. It was during his campaign against the latter that Alexander would meet his end. His attempts to negotiate peace with the Germanic tribes through bribery and diplomacy alienated many in the Roman Army, and ultimately led to his assassination in 235 CE. His death saw the end of the Severan dynasty and marked the beginning of the Crisis o

Wamba (died 687). King of the Visigoths from 672 - 680. During his reign the Visigothic kingdom encompassed all of Hispania and part of southern Gaul known as Septimania. Portrait. Engraving.

Volusianus, Roman mitcaiser.

Antonius Pius, Emperor of Rome (86-161) 15th Roman Emperor 138-161, fourth of the Five Good Emperors. Engraving, London, c1810.

'Edward II', (1284- 1327), 1830. Edward II (1284- 1327) King of England from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327. He had a close and controversial relationship with Piers Gaveston who was banished and then executed. Edward was defeated by Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 and criticism of his reign mounted. He was forced to relinquish his crown in January 1327. From "Biographical Illustrations", by Alfred Howard. Thomas Tegg, R. Griffin and Co., J. Cumming, London, Glasgow and Dublin, 1830

Pupienus (165/170-238), also known as Pupienus Maximus, was a senator in the Roman Senate who had risen to power and influence through military success under the rule of the Severan dynasty. He served two terms as Consul, and became an important member of the Senate. When Gordian I and his son were proclaimed Emperors in 238, the Senate immediately recognised them in defiance of Emperor Maximinus Thrax. Pupienus, an elderly man by then, was put on a committee to coordinate efforts to thwart Maximinus until the Gordians could arrive in Rome. The Gordians died less than a month after their declaration however, and the Senate became divided in how to act, ultimately voting for Pupienus and Balbinus, another elderly senator, to be installed as co-emperors. Some senators, and the people of Rome, had wanted Gordian III, grandson of Gordian I, to be declared emperor however, and civil unrest gripped the capital. It was not helped that Pupienus and Balbinus argued and quarrelled often, Balbinu

King Edward II of England, (17th century).Artist: P Vanderbanck

'Commodus', (161-192 AD), 1830. Commodus (161-192 AD) Roman emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 to his father's death in 180, and solely until 192. On tour in the Marcomannic Wars he was the youngest consul in Roman history. From "Biographical Illustrations", by Alfred Howard. Thomas Tegg, R. Griffin and Co., J. Cumming, London, Glasgow and Dublin, 1830

Egica, Ergica or Egicca (610-701/703). Visigoth King of Hispania and Septimania from 687-703. Portrait. Engraving.

Portrait of Edward III, 1312 - 1377, King of England from 1327 - 1377

Sancho III of Castile (1134-1158). King of Castile and Toledo from 1157-1158. Engraving. Colored.

Wratatlaw II., Duke of Bohemia.

Edward III, King of England 1327-77, Illustration from John Cassell's Illustrated History of England, Vol. I from the earliest period to the reign of Edward the Fourth, Cassell, Petter and Galpin, 1857

Pippin of the younger, King of the Franks unknown artist dating: 1601/1750

Henry II (974-1024), also known as Henry IV and Saint Henry, was the son of Henry II, Duke of Bavaria and great-grandson of King Henry I, therefore making him part of the Bavarian branch of the Ottonian dynasty. Due to his father's rebellion against the two previous emperors, Henry was often in exile and became close with the Church. He succeeded his father as Duke of Bavaria in 995, taking the name Henry IV. As Henry was returning home to claim his lands however, Emperor Otto III died of fever with no heir to succeed him. Political chaos gripped the Holy Roman Empire, and Henry defeated several other claimants to become King of Germany in 1002, and King of Italy in 1004. He subsumed the Duchy of Bohemia into the Holy Roman Empire, and fought a series of wars against Poland. He also led a series of expeditions into Italy to ensure Imperial dominance against secessionist forces and the Byzantine Empire. He was eventually crowned as Holy Roman Emperor in 1014. Henry II's rule was central

Henry II. 973-1024, noble family of the Ottonians, Roman-German Emperor from 1014 to 1024, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original,...

Portrait of Berengar, emperor and King of Italy

ULISES. Location: BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN. ULISES. ODISEO.

Alfons V., King of Aragon king of Naples Sicily.

Dentatus, Mani.

Charles I of Anjou, Charles d'Anjou, Carlo d'Angiò, March 1227, 7 January 1285, was King of Sicily since 1266, Historical, digitally restored reproduc...

Quintus Sertorius (123-72 BC). Roman statesman and military commander. Lithography. Later colouration. Drawing by Llanta. Cronica General de Espa-a, Historia Ilustrada y Descriptiva de sus Provincias. Murcia, 1870.

Plato (c428-c348 BC) Ancient Greek philosopher. Engraving after antique gem.

Christopher Columbus. ink on paper. Date: c. 1899-1920. Museum: NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY.

Portrait of Chilperic I, (437 - 481). King of France from 458 to 481. Merovingian Dynasty. History of France, from the book Atlas de la France 1842

HAMILCAR BARCA (290-229 BC). Carthaginian general. Led the conquest of Spain. Etching. SPAIN. MADRID (AUTONOMOUS COMMUNITY). Madrid. National Library.

Rate, Torquato.

Philipp von Swabia (geboren Februar oder März 1177, gestorben 21. Juni 1208) aus dem Adelsgeschlecht der Staufer war von 1198 bis zu seiner Ermordung 1208 römisch-deutscher König / Philip of Swabia (born February or March 1177, died June 21, 1208) from the noble family of the Hohenstaufen was Roman-German king from 1198 until his assassination in 1208, Historisch, digital restaurierte Reproduktion einer Originalvorlage aus dem 19. century, genaues Originaldatum nicht bekannt, nachträglich coloriert

Jan Mabuse circa 1478, circa 1532 Pseudonym Jan Gossaert Pseudonym Jenni Gosart Pseudonym Jennyn van Hennegouwe Flemish artist, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century model, Record date not stated

Boucicaut, Jean .

Torquato Tasso (1544-1595), poeta italiano de la contrarreforma. Grabado de 1840.

Friedrich III, Duke and Elector of Saxony, 1463 - 1525, portrait, historical illustration, 1880

Rubens, Peter Paul, Antwerp, Pontius, Paulus, Portrait of Christ, verso lower left - stamped, Portrait of Christ. In the margin a three-line caption in Latin. Below that a six-line caption with a dedication in Latin., print, prent, prints, prenten, height 425 mm, width 279 mm, Zuid-Nederlands, 1603 - 1658-01-16, print maker, printmaker, 1633 - 1633, paper, papier, engraving, graveren (drukprocedé), 1577-06-28 - 1640-05-30, intermediary draughtsman

Henry II, Illustration from John Cassell's Illustrated History of England, Vol. I from the earliest period to the reign of Edward the Fourth, Cassell, Petter and Galpin, 1857

Hernan Cortes (1485-1547), Spanish conquistador who conquered Mexico. Artist: Unknown

Konstan II., Ostroman Emperor.

Eleutherius, papa .

Ramon Berenguer III The Great (1082-1131 ). Count of Barcelona, Girona, Ausona, Besalu, Cerdanya, and Provence. Lithography. Later colouration. Cronica General de Espa-a, Historia Ilustrada y Descriptiva de sus Provincias. Catalonia. 1866.

Self-portrait by Albrecht Durer (1471 - 1528) German painter, printmaker and theorist After his self portrait. Old 19th century engraved illustration, El Mundo Ilustrado 1880

John II, King of France, (1805).Artist: J Chapman

Stephen (1097 - 1154), King of England, Reigned 1135-54

PROSPERO COLONNA (1452-1523).

Alboin, King of Lombards.

Alfonso I of Asturias, called the Catholic (693-757). King of Asturias (739-757). Astur-Leonese dynasty. Portrait. Drawing by Llanta. Lithography. "Cronica General de España, Historia Ilustrada y Descriptiva de sus Provincias. Andalucia", 1869. Author: Santiago Llanta (fl. 1866-1872). French lithographer who worked in Spain.

Alfred the Great (849-899) Anglo-Saxon king of Wessex from 871. Defeated Danes at Edington, Wiltshire. Signed treaty of partition and formalisation of Danelaw 886. Chromolithograph c1920

GIANFRANCESCO GONZAGA (1395-1444) - MARQUES DE MANTUA Y CAPITAN GENERAL. Location: NATIONAL LIBRARY. Rome. ITALIA.

Eleutherius, papa .

Alfonso V of Leon (994-1028), called the Noble. King of Leon from 999 to 1028. Portrait. Illustration by Llanta. Lithography. Cronica General de Espa-a. Historia Ilustrada y Descriptiva de sus Provincias. Asturias and Leon, 1867.

NUÑEZ RASURA , NUÑO. JUEZ SUPREMO DE CASTILLA.789 - 862. GRABADO RETRATO DE LA COLECCION " VARONES ILUSTRES ". CALCOGRAFIA NACIONAL , MADRID.

Henri IV, 1553-1610, King of France 1589. Dated: c. 1590/1610. Dimensions: overall (oval): 5.8 x 4.35 cm (2 5/16 x 1 11/16 in.) gross weight: 66.17 gr (0.146 lb.). Medium: gilded bronze. Museum: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC. Author: French 16th or 17th Century.

Liuvigild (d.586). Visigothic King of Hispania and Septimania. Portrait. Illustration by Llanta. Lithography. Cronica General de Espaa. Historia Ilustrada y Descriptiva de sus Provincias. Galicia, 1866.

Pierre de Ronsard, 1524 -1585. French poet. From Science and Literature in the Middle Ages by Paul Lacroix, published in London 1878, historically, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century template, Record Date Not Stated

Heinrich IV., Roman-German Emperor.

Erwig (after 642Ð687). King of the Visigoths in Hispania (680Ð687).

Quintin Massys 1465 or 1456, 1530 Flemish artist, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original, Record date not stated

Type of the Assyrian race, Assyria, Mesopotamia, Iraq, ca 1200, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original, exact date unknown, Asia

Kruseman, AC, Haarlem, Emrik & Binger, Silk fabric with Saint Bartholomew, verso - stamped, Saint Bartholomew stands in a landscape and has a book in his right hand and a knife in his right hand. He has a halo above his head., print, engraving, book illustration, prints, engravings, height 375 mm, width 290 mm, print maker, printmaker, 1857 - 1864, paper, papier, chromolithografie, printer, drukker, Publication (Event), Publicatie, publisher

ALBERTO II. CON ESTE NOMBRE FUE EMPERADOR GERMANICO EN LOS AÑOS 1438 - 1439. ALBERTO V DE HABSBURGO , " EL ILUSTRE ". DUQUE DE AUSTRIA 1397 - 1439. EMPERADOR GERMANICO LLAMADO ALBERTO II.

Portrait of Philippe VI of Valois, the Fortunate (1293 - 1350). King of France from 1328 to 1350. House of Valois. History of France, from the book Atlas de la France 1842

Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar (ca. 1464-1524). Spanish conquistador. Governor of Cuba from 1511. Portrait. Drawing by Salcedo. Lithography. Crónica General de España, Historia Ilustrada y Descriptiva de sus Provincias (General Chronicle of Spain, Illustrated and Descriptive History of its Provinces), Antilles, 1871. Author: Isidoro Salcedo. Spanish painter, lithographer and cartoonist,19th century.

The Spirit of Justice - Study for the Head of a Counsellor, 1844-45. Ford Madox Brown

Torquato Tasso, 1544, 1595, Italian poet of the Counter, Reformation

Moctezuma II. Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, Montezuma, was ruler of the Aztec Empire, Mexico, conqueror of Guatemala, from 1502 until his death in 1520, His...

Ulrich von Hutten, 1488 - 1523, a German humanist

'Edward I', 1935. Artist: Unknown.

Alfonso V of Leon (994-1028), called the Noble. King of Leon from 999 to 1028. Portrait. Illustration by Llanta. Lithography. Cronica General de Espana. Historia Ilustrada y Descriptiva de sus Provincias. Asturias and Leon, 1867.

Alfonso II of Aragon called the Chaste (1154-1196). King of the Kingdom of Aragon. Engraving in Spain Illustrated History, 19th century.

GEORGE GASCOIGNE poet and dramatist Date: 1525 - 1577

MA_I.035326

ALFRED THE GREAT.

Marcus Ulpius Traianus Maior, 30 AD 100 Roman senator who lived in the 1st century, father of the Roman Emperor Trajan, History of Ancient Rome, Roman Empire, Italy, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original, Europe

Pyrrhus 318, 272 BC King of Epirus and Macedonia Greek general of the Hellenistic era from the book Crabbs Historical Dictionary from 1825, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original, Record date not stated

Theodore II Empereur D'Abyssinie. Lejean, Guillaume, 1824-1871. Prints. 1865. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division. Theodore II, Negus of Ethiopia, -1868, Ethiopia , Kings and rulers

España. Sancho I el Craso (935-967), rey de León. Grabado de 1900.

Valentinian III (419-455) was the son of Emperor Constantius III, and nephew of former Emperor Honorius through his mother, Galla Placidia. He was also cousin to Theodosius II, Eastern Roman emperor. When Honorius died in 423 and the usurper Joannes took power, Theodosius recognised Valentinian as the true emperor of the West, and placed him on the throne in 425, aged only six. Due to his age, his mother ruled as regent in his stead.

German 16th Century (Georg Fugger Group), Charles V, 1500 1558, King of Spain 1516 1556, Holy Roman Emperor 1519 (obverse), 16th century Charles V, 1500-1558, King of Spain 1516-1556, Holy Roman Emperor 1519 obverse

Boleslaw I Chrobry by Jacobi, Jan Bogumil (1743-1829) / Regional Museum, Toru&#324 / 1828 / Poland / Oil on canvas / Portrait / 82x65

Suintila (ca. 588 Ð 633/635). Visigothic King of Hispania, Septimania and Galicia from 621 to 631. Colored engraving.

Anonymous Diocese of Sandomierz Painting Portrait King Wladyslaw II. Jagiello (Detail)

Pythagoras the Samian was an Ionian Greek philosopher, mathematician, and founder of the religious movement called Pythagoreanism. Most of the information about Pythagoras was written down centuries after he lived, so very little reliable information is known about him. He was born on the island of Samos, and might have travelled widely in his youth, visiting Egypt and other places seeking knowledge. Pythagoras made influential contributions to philosophy and religion in the late 6th century BCE. He is often revered as a great mathematician, mystic, and scientist and is best known for the Pythagorean theorem which bears his name.

Suintila (588-633/635). Visigothic King of Hispania, Septimania and Galicia from 621 to 631. Portrait. Engraving. Colored.

Portrait of Field Marshal of Prussia by Johann Hainzelmann, Copper engraving, 1641-1690s, Private Collection

Bernard Desclot. Catalan chronicler. 13th Century. Portrait. Engraving by Panissa. "La Ilustracion Catalana", 1888.

Sigismund II. August, King of Poland.

WITERICO. REY VISIGODO DE 608-610. GRABADO RETRATO DE ARNOLDO VANWESTER , 1684. BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL. MADRID.

Style of Hans Schwarz, Henry VIII, 1491 1547, King of England 1509 Henry VIII, 1491-1547, King of England 1509

Henry VIII, King of England (1491-1547, r. 1509-47) 16th-17th century Model attributed to Steven Cornelisz van Herwijck Netherlandish. Henry VIII, King of England (1491-1547, r. 1509-47) 202442

Vespasian, or Titus Flavius Vespasianus, Roman emperor, historical illustration

Themistocles, c. 524 BC, c. 459 BC a statesman and general of Athens during the Persian threat to Greece, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact date unknown

Boleslaw I., King of Poland.

HENRY II (1133 - 1189) Reigned 1154 - 1189

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