This article discusses the nature of the imperial dignity, and its dynastic development throughout the history of the Empire. For a discussion of the Emperor's claimed divine status, see
Imperial cult. For a more comprehensive listing of names of emperors, see
List of Roman Emperors. The Roman Emperor was the ruler of the
Roman State during the imperial period (from about
27 BC onwards). The Romans had no single term for the office:
Latin titles such as
imperator (from which English Emperor derives),
augustus,
caesar and
princeps were all associated with it. In practice, the Emperor was supreme ruler of Rome and supreme commander of the
Roman legions. In theory, however, Rome remained
a republic, the
res publica, and the Emperor's status was merely that of
primus inter pares—first among equals. This
legal fiction became increasingly meaningless as the Emperors consolidated their power. However, it was maintained at least to a ceremonial degree until the very end of the Roman Empire—
476 in the
Western Roman Empire and
1453 in the
East.
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