who was the first roman emperor??

Answer 1

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, who is commonly referred to as "Octavian" (the anglicized version of his given name, "Octavianus") before the death of Gaius Julius Caesar, or as "Caesar Augustus" after he won the civil war vs. Marcus Antonius ("Mark Antony").

Although Augustus, in reality, was (eventually) in total control of the Roman government, he never referred to himself as an "emperor" as we understand the term (the word "emperor" comes from the Latin "imperator," which means, roughly, "commander" or "leader").

Augustus preferred titles like "First Man of Rome" or "First Citizen" or (later in life) "Father of the Roman People" to preserve the appearance of republicanism.

Answer 2

I think people who tell you "Julius Caesar" have learned their classical history from Asterix books. Julius Caesar was a Dictator, and not the first either (check out Sulla). "Dictator" was used as an occasional expedient by the Roman Republic.
The Republic ended with Augustus Caesar, who was the first Roman Emperor.

Answer 3

Julius Caesar, who is sometimes considered the first Roman Emperor not he Caesar Augustus,

Answer 4

Aemilius Paulus in 189 BC, though Gaius Julius was the first to actively use the title.

"There was no constitutional office of "Roman Emperor" (the first person actually to bear that title was Michael I Rhangabes in the early 9th Century,[citation needed] who was styled Basileus Rhomaiôn, "Emperor of the Romans"—if appreciating that by that time the meaning of "Basileus" had moved from "Sovereign" to "Emperor"), nor any title or rank directly analogous to the title of "Emperor"; all the titles traditionally associated with the Emperor had pre-existing, Republican meanings. "Roman Emperor" is a convenient shorthand used by historians to express the much more complicated nature of being the "First Citizen" in the Roman state, and as a result there are many differing opinions as to precisely who was Emperor when, and how many Emperors there were." - wiki

Answer 5

I think Augustus Caesar (Octavian) is considered the first true emperor. This is because he was the first to consolidate supreme governmental, religious, and military powers into one office. That is why he became "august" which means grand. Julius Caesar is considered by many to be a very important dictator.

Answer 6

Gaius Julius Caesar

Answer 7

The first Roman emperor was a person commonly known to history as AUGUSTUS. You see, many people think that Julius Caesar was. However as dicator he had the title of IMPROPRAETOR(meaning general or commander). It was from this word that we do get the english translation of EMPEROR. But Julius Caesar was not an emperor in title, name or completely. He could be called an emperor in "fact" but it was not politically complete. It was Augustus that finally had it politically complete.

Augustu's original name was Octavianus-transalated down to us as - Octavian. He was the grand nephew of Julius Caesar. His father was an Equestrian who lived in the country and farmed and his mother was the daughter of Julius Caesar's sister- Julia. He was born in 62 B.C. and inherited Julius Caesars estate in the first degree(the bulk). He took on Caesar's name, dispossed Lepidus of his command, fought and won the civil war against Antony and became undisputed leader of the Roman state. This was in 30 B.C. - he was considered just the leader. However on January 13th 27B.C. a meeting of the senate decided to give him special powers. Three days later on January 16th, he was given the twin powers of IMPERIUM(command and judgement) and TRIBUNUS POTESTOS(appeal for and representation of the people). In other words he was combined the powers of the CONSULS and the TRIBUNES at the same time. This was the confirmation of the empire and of his position as EMPEROR. However he was known as THE FIRST CITIZEN. Basically first amongst equals. However he is known(for his practical power) and acknowledged by history as being the first Roman emperor.

Augustus reorginised the empire. He divided the provinces into two administative areas. For himself and for the senate. Those which were administerd by him were called imperial provinces. Those who were administered by the senate were called senatorial provinces. He took for titles names from Roman tradition. The imperial provinces were governed either by LEGATUS AUGUSTI PRO PRAETORS or a PRAEFECTUS AEGYPTUS(governor of Egypt). The senatorial provinces were governed by PRO CONSUL PROVINCAE. He had the provinces with the legions(generally the most dangerous) with the exception of AFRICA PROCONCULIS which contained one legion- the III Augusta.
He started out when he had won the civil war with 60 legions. He paid off more than half and then operated with 28 legions.

During his reign he increased the empire's territory. The provinces of the northwestern parts of LUSITANIA and TARRACONISIS(spain), MOESIA, PANNOEMIA, NORCIUM, RHAETIUM, PONTUS, CAPPADOCIA, Germany between the Rhine and the Elbe, all to the Rhine and the province of ALPS MARMATIME. He got back the eagles that had been lost to the Parthians in the battle of CAHHREA in 53 B.C.( lost by a badly trained and poorly equipped army of 7 legions under Marcus Licinius Crassus). He suffered a large setback in 9 A.D. when in Teutonberg Wald(the black forest) 3 legions(XVII, XVIII and XIX th ) were decimated by an attack of greater numbers, surprised and worn down under the former Auxilury- ARMINIUS. The legions(under Quintus Varius) were without their auxiluries and cavalry. Rome withdrew from that area and established the frontier at the Rhine. Years later it was avenged by one of the grandsons of his wife(Livia)- Germanicus. However Rome did not want that area back. To the end of his days he would mutter "Varius, Varius where are my legions". The numbers of those legions were never replaced.

He reigned till 14 A.D. and then died. It was said that he was poisoned (and by his wife Livia). He was sucseeded by the eldest of Livia's sons(his stepson) - Tiberius. He had reigned for 40 years as emperor and 43 as head of the Roman state.
There is a confusion about the dates his reign started. By a calculation of the 30 B.C. date instead of the 27 B.C. and taking Christ's birth as in a number of years of Augustu's reign there was a four year mistake in the year of Christ's birth. This is why they say Christ was born in the year 4 A.D.
Also there was no year zero. Augustus was diefied(made a god) after his death. In other words considered definitely living with the gods and given the attribute-divine. He is considered about , if not, the greatest of Roman emperors and one of the greatest of Roman leaders(remember Julius Caesar was not an emperor-but an IMPROPRAETOR). A testiment to his greatness can be summoned up by this: Whilst China's so called first emperor( Chin Chi Yuan Ti< Quin Shi Huan Ti > was having 100,000 people die on his great wall and was burning books- Augustus was able to say with some accuracy- " I found Rome in wood-I left it in marble". Hope this helps.

Answer 8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Emperor