Publius Aelius Hadrian was a military leader before he became the emperor of Rome in AD 117-138. He restored some of the temples and monuments and ordered the renovation of the Serapeum in Alexandria.

Diocletian was the Roman Emperor who intellectually stood between two different eras. He was the son of a humble writer in Dalmatia. He was chosen emperor as a result of his own efforts.

Marcus Aurelius was not only an Emperor of Rome, but also a philosopher. He came to Egypt during a revolt led by Avidius Cassius who had the support of the Alexandrian people.