Who were the Roman emperors, and how did they impact Roman architecture and urban design?

The Roman Empire was ruled by a total of 82 emperors from 27 BC to 476 AD. The Roman emperors were not only political leaders, but also patrons of the arts, including architecture and urban design. They left a lasting impact on the built environment of Rome and its colonies.

Many Roman emperors were known for their ambitious building projects, such as Augustus, who transformed Rome with grand public works such as the Temple of Mars Ultor, the Forum of Augustus, and the Ara Pacis. Trajan is known for his impressive public works program, including the Trajan's Forum and Markets, and the famous Trajan's Column. Hadrian was an accomplished architect himself, and his namesake Hadrian's Wall in northern England remains a remarkable feat of engineering.

Roman emperors also had an impact on urban design. They introduced new forms of city planning, such as the gridiron street plan and monumental public squares. They also constructed aqueducts and sewers, which allowed for the growth of cities beyond the limits of local water sources.