Best Tyrant
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King Henry VIII (1491–1547) ruled England from 1509 and is notable for breaking with the Roman Catholic Church in 1534 to establish the Church of England, partly to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
Emperor Domitian (r. 81–96 AD) was a Roman emperor of the Flavian dynasty who expanded frontier defenses and promoted the arts but whose authoritarian rule led to his assassination by court conspirators.
First ruler to officially bear the title Tsar of Russia, reigning from 1547 to 1584; he expanded into Siberia but also terrorized the nobility through his secret police, the Oprichnina.
Roman emperor (r. 54–68 CE) infamous for tyranny and the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE; he was declared a public enemy by the Senate and died by suicide while fleeing arrest.
Roman emperor (r. 177–192 AD) notorious for neglecting governance, renaming Rome 'Colonia Commodiana,' and performing in gladiatorial games before his assassination.
Roman emperor (r. 37–41 CE) whose brief reign became notorious for erratic cruelty; he was assassinated by Praetorian Guard officers after fewer than four years in power.
