The ancient Roman Empire, with its vast territory and complex political landscape, was shaped by the personalities of its emperors. These powerful individuals, each with their unique traits and motivations, left an indelible mark on history. By examining their characteristics through the lens of the Enneagram, a modern personality typing system, we can gain fresh insights into their actions and legacies.  To learn more about the enneagram and to discover your type, take the free enneagram test.

The Enneagram identifies nine distinct personality types, each driven by core motivations and fears. While it’s impossible to definitively type historical figures, especially those from antiquity, we can make educated guesses based on their recorded behaviors and decisions. Let’s explore how some of Rome’s most famous emperors might align with the Enneagram types.

Augustus (Type 3 – The Achiever)

Gaius Octavius, better known as Augustus, was Rome’s first emperor and arguably one of its most successful. His reign marked the beginning of the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability that lasted for two centuries. Augustus’s personality and actions strongly suggest he was an Enneagram Type 3, The Achiever.

Type 3s are driven by a desire to be successful, admired, and respected. They’re often charismatic, ambitious, and image-conscious. Augustus exemplified these traits throughout his career. He skillfully navigated the treacherous waters of Roman politics, emerging victorious from the power struggles that followed Julius Caesar’s assassination. 

Augustus was a master of self-presentation, carefully crafting his public image as a humble servant of the state while simultaneously accumulating unprecedented power. His famous quote, “I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble,” perfectly encapsulates the Type 3’s desire to achieve and be remembered for their accomplishments.

Moreover, Augustus’s focus on efficiency, organization, and practical results aligns with the Type 3’s tendency to be goal-oriented and productive. He implemented wide-ranging reforms in administration, the military, and public works, always with an eye towards enhancing his reputation and legacy.

Marcus Aurelius (Type 1 – The Reformer)

Known as the “Philosopher Emperor,” Marcus Aurelius embodies many characteristics of the Enneagram Type 1, The Reformer. Type 1s are principled, purposeful, and self-controlled, with a strong sense of right and wrong. They strive for personal integrity and often feel a sense of mission to improve the world.

Marcus Aurelius’s reign was marked by his commitment to duty and his pursuit of moral excellence. His personal writings, collected in “Meditations,” reveal a man constantly striving for self-improvement and ethical behavior. This aligns closely with the Type 1’s inner critic and desire for perfection.

As an emperor, Marcus Aurelius faced numerous challenges, including wars, plagues, and political instability. Yet, he approached these problems with a sense of moral obligation and a desire to do what was right for the empire. This reflects the Type 1’s tendency to be responsible, idealistic, and driven by a sense of purpose.

His philosophical leanings towards Stoicism, with its emphasis on reason, self-control, and ethical conduct, further reinforce the Type 1 classification. Marcus Aurelius continually sought to align his actions with his principles, a hallmark of The Reformer type.

Nero (Type 4 – The Individualist)

Nero, one of Rome’s most infamous emperors, displays many characteristics of the Enneagram Type 4, The Individualist. Type 4s are sensitive, introspective, and expressive, often feeling different from others and yearning for a unique identity.

Nero’s reign was marked by his artistic pretensions and his desire to be seen as exceptional. He fancied himself a great poet, musician, and actor, often performing publicly to the embarrassment of the Roman elite. This need for self-expression and recognition aligns closely with the Type 4’s desire to be unique and significant.

The emperor’s emotional volatility and dramatic tendencies also point towards a Type 4 personality. Nero was known for his extreme reactions, from excessive grief to vindictive rage. This emotional intensity is characteristic of The Individualist, who often experiences feelings more deeply than other types.

Nero’s construction of the opulent Domus Aurea (Golden House) after the Great Fire of Rome can be seen as a Type 4’s attempt to create a beautiful, idealized environment that reflects their inner world. His reported last words, “What an artist dies in me!” perfectly encapsulate the Type 4’s self-image as a unique and gifted individual.

Constantine the Great (Type 8 – The Challenger)

Constantine I, known as Constantine the Great, exhibits many traits of the Enneagram Type 8, The Challenger. Type 8s are powerful, dominating, and self-confident, with a desire to control their environment and protect themselves and others.

Constantine’s rise to power and his subsequent reign were marked by bold, decisive actions characteristic of Type 8. He defeated multiple rivals to become sole emperor, moved the capital to Constantinople, and made the momentous decision to legalize and support Christianity, fundamentally altering the course of Western history.

The Type 8’s desire for control and their protective instincts are evident in Constantine’s administrative reforms and his efforts to stabilize the empire. He reorganized the government, reformed the currency, and created a new imperial guard, all aimed at strengthening his rule and the empire’s security.

Constantine’s forceful personality and his willingness to confront challenges head-on align with the Type 8’s natural assertiveness and resistance to control by others. His military successes and his ability to inspire loyalty in his troops also reflect the charisma and strength often associated with The Challenger type.

Claudius (Type 5 – The Investigator)

Claudius, often overlooked due to his physical disabilities and unlikely rise to power, displays characteristics of the Enneagram Type 5, The Investigator. Type 5s are perceptive, innovative, and cerebral, with a desire to understand the world and possess knowledge.

Before becoming emperor, Claudius was known for his scholarly pursuits, particularly his passion for history. This intellectual curiosity and desire for competence are hallmarks of Type 5. As emperor, he applied his analytical skills to governance, proving to be an able administrator despite expectations to the contrary.

Claudius’s tendency to retreat into his studies and his apparent social awkwardness align with the Type 5’s inclination towards introversion and their comfort in the world of ideas. His expansion of the imperial bureaucracy and his attention to legal and administrative details reflect the Type 5’s methodical approach to problems.

The emperor’s interest in obscure topics, such as Etruscan history and the reform of the Latin alphabet, further supports the Type 5 classification. This type often has specialized areas of expertise and values knowledge for its own sake.

Hadrian (Type 7 – The Enthusiast)

Hadrian, known for his restless energy and wide-ranging interests, exhibits traits of the Enneagram Type 7, The Enthusiast. Type 7s are versatile, spontaneous, and adventurous, with a desire to experience all that life has to offer.

Hadrian’s reign was marked by his extensive travels throughout the empire, reflecting the Type 7’s love of new experiences and stimulation. He was deeply curious about the various cultures within his realm and actively participated in local customs and religious practices, demonstrating the Type 7’s adaptability and openness to new ideas.

The emperor’s diverse interests, from architecture and poetry to hunting and Greek philosophy, align with the Type 7’s tendency to be multi-talented and easily excited by new concepts. His famous villa at Tivoli, with its eclectic mix of architectural styles and recreations of places he had visited, embodies the Type 7’s desire to bring together varied experiences and ideas.

Hadrian’s optimistic outlook and his focus on the cultural and intellectual flourishing of the empire, rather than military conquest, also reflect Type 7 characteristics. His building programs, including the famous Pantheon in Rome and his eponymous wall in Britain, showcase the Type 7’s visionary and innovative tendencies.

Conclusion

While it’s impossible to definitively categorize historical figures using modern personality frameworks, exploring the possible Enneagram types of Roman emperors offers a fascinating perspective on their motivations and behaviors. From Augustus’s achievement-oriented Type 3 to Hadrian’s experience-seeking Type 7, these personality patterns provide insight into the diverse leadership styles that shaped the Roman Empire.

Understanding these emperors through the lens of the Enneagram reminds us of the complex humanity behind historical figures. It highlights how personal motivations, fears, and desires can influence decisions that affect millions of lives and shape the course of history.

Moreover, this analysis demonstrates the timeless nature of human personality. Despite the vast differences in culture and context between ancient Rome and today, we can recognize familiar patterns of behavior and motivation. This continuity of human nature across time and culture is part of what makes the study of history so compelling and relevant.

As we reflect on these powerful individuals and their potential Enneagram types, we’re invited to consider our own personalities and how they might influence our actions and decisions. In doing so, we gain not only a deeper understanding of history but also valuable insights into ourselves and the leaders of our own time.  The most accurate enneagram test on the internet can be found at enneagramzoom.com.