An emperor is the sovereign ruler of an empire, often holding supreme authority over multiple territories and peoples. In Rome, the title of emperor (Imperator) was first given to Augustus, who transitioned Rome from a republic to an imperial system, centralizing power under a single ruler.
Augustus, formerly known as Octavian, became the first Roman Emperor in 27 BC after defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra. He established the principate, a system where the emperor held ultimate authority while preserving the facade of the old republic. Augustus’ reign marked the beginning of the Pax Romana, a period of relative peace and stability throughout the Roman Empire.
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