Who succeeded Augustus as emperor? (r. 14-37 AD)

The story behind the answer

Tiberius is correct: he was Augustus’s stepson and adopted heir, taking power in AD 14 and ruling until 37. A seasoned general, he consolidated Rome’s borders and maintained the empire’s administration. The others ruled later in the Julio-Claudian line: after Tiberius came Caligula, then Claudius, then Nero.

Context to remember: Augustus’s preferred heirs (Gaius and Lucius) died young, leading him to adopt Tiberius, who in turn adopted Germanicus to secure the dynasty. Tiberius grew increasingly withdrawn, governing from Capri while his Praetorian Prefect Sejanus rose—and fell—dramatically. Memory tip for the first emperors: