did the Roman emperors called themselves Emperors ?
2006-12-13 05:46:40 · 5 answers · asked by Alex M 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
Ceasar
2006-12-13 06:41:12 · answer #1 · answered by gbgnick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The title comes from the Latin imperator, which means a person who held the maius imperium. The maius imperium was the power to punish Roman citizens by beating or death without trial. The senate voted this power to any general leading an army into other lands. The general had to be able to punish deserters or disobedience at once. But the power expired when he got back. The senate voted the maius imperium to Octavius Caesar, Julius's nephew, adopted son, and successor, for life. Other titles and powers voted to Octavius were Augustus, Princeps, and Tribune for life.
English speakers changed imperator to emperor. Empire in English came to have the meaning of land ruled by an emperor or state consisting of many nations. The Romans began ruling over other nations beginning with Carthage (North Africa), Greece, and Pergamum about 160-150 b.c. But they didn't get an emperor, Octavius Caesar Augustus, until about 20-15 b.c. LOL
2006-12-13 06:22:11 · answer #2 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some wanted to be called Emperor & some wanted to be called god. Here's a website that may help:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_emperors
Good luck!
2006-12-13 06:02:45 · answer #3 · answered by jcboyle 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They called themselves 'Pontifex Maximus'. Modern day popes claim the same title.
2006-12-14 10:20:32 · answer #4 · answered by Retired 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
after julius ceaser they all adpted the name of ceaser
2006-12-13 06:01:28 · answer #5 · answered by Tom C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋