Historical Report: The Emperor in the Roman World (31 BC–AD 337)
The emperorship began with , who consolidated power by holding several Republican offices simultaneously rather than declaring himself a king. The emperor in the Roman world: 31 BC-AD 337
: A major portion of the emperor's time was spent hearing appeals and making verdicts, serving as the final legal authority of the Roman world. Historical Report: The Emperor in the Roman World
: He styled himself Princeps ("First Citizen") to maintain a facade of Republicanism while exercising absolute authority. The emperor in the Roman world: 31 BC-AD 337