What is the emperor? The meaning of the word emperor and his definition

In this article, we consider the meaning of the word "emperor" and its definition, because we often use this term. And that means this word, few guess. How are emperors different from kings? What are their powers? Let's try to understand.

The first emperors in Rome

For the first time it was in Rome that the meaning of the word "emperor" was determined. So called the commander-in-chief of the Roman army. About who the emperor was, everyone knew: from recruits to the leaders of large army units. It was this man who had the unlimited right to decide what would be the actions of the great army. The very definition of the word emperor comes from the Latin "imperium", which means "supreme power".

The First Emperor

The first to know what the emperor is, were the subordinates of the Roman general Scipio of Africa. During the Second Punic War, it became customary to give such a title after the first great victory over the enemy. Initially, only the Senate could really indicate who the emperor is and appoint a bearer of this title. But later even even simple warriors could proclaim their commander such a high-sounding name. In addition, the title of "emperor" Roman commanders could be awarded several times. Then the word form Imperator II was used.

Scipio African proudly wore this honorary title, so he was honored during official public events and with senatorial speeches. In addition, Scipio as a conqueror of Carthage could write this title for life for life with his name.

Emperors Caesar and Octavian

For some time the tradition of calling the emperors commanders was preserved. After a series of victories this title could simultaneously give several commanders. Gradually, the notion of what the emperor means is changing. Now this term was used in the sense of "endowed with supreme power", military as well.

Julius Caesar was a constant bearer of the title Imperator and always wrote it after his name, along with other official titles. But his successor Octavian Augustus changed the use of this title. Now, so that everyone knows what the emperor is, Augustus ordered to write the title in front of his name. His portraits and statues are signed only by Imperator Caesar Divi Julii filius. Now the honorary title of commander and commander turned into one of the titles of the supreme rulers.

The title of emperor in the Eastern Roman Empire

About what the emperor, the inhabitants of Byzantium knew for a long time. But after the partition of the Roman Empire, the inhabitants of the eastern part got accustomed to another word. The familiar word "emperor" was translated from them as "autocrat", which means "having power." Autocrats here, as in Rome, called the lords and rulers. Later this honorary title passed to all the rulers of Byzantium. In his unchanged form, the autocrat survived a half-century. In modern language, this is the name of a person endowed with unlimited powers.

When the title of Emperor disappeared

It would seem that such a magnificent title is destined for a long life. In the Roman Empire, each new ruler added a new shade to this title. Trajan, for example, had his own understanding of what the emperor was. He argued that the title of the Imperator, he can only be awarded by the military, but for civilians he is the first, that is, Princeps.

Since the second century of our era, the title has finally been established in the register of titles of the supreme ruler and was in use until the year 476. And in the period of Diocletian's empire and for some time after it in the Roman Empire there were two emperors: one of them was called "Caesar", and the second one was "August". After the destruction of the capital of the Roman Empire, everyone forgot what the emperor is for several centuries.

The Emperor in the Middle Ages

The revival of the title of emperor fell on the beginning of the 9th century AD. This was the time of the heyday of the Frankish Empire, so it is not surprising that the most important man of Europe of the time, Karl the Great, was at that time the Roman title. This title was granted to him by the representative of God on earth - Pope Leo III. Therefore, the name "Roman Empire" was added adjective "sacred". So it was shown that the new state of the Holy Roman Empire exists by the will and command of God. The pope was considered the governor of the god on earth in spiritual matters, but the emperor solved secular issues according to God's blessing.

This representatives of the Western church seriously resented the rulers of Byzantium, because after the fall of Rome, only they had the right to wear this title. But Charlemagne knew perfectly well what the emperor was. The definition of this concept was no longer suited to a harsh warrior and a wise politician.

After Charles the Great, Otto crowned the emperor. After him, this title was born to the rulers of small German kingdoms. Established tradition to take the title of Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire only from the hands of the Catholic lord. The Roman popes did their utmost to manipulate this right, forcing the monarchs of the small German states to contest an honorary title among themselves. For a ghostly honor to be called the emperor of a country that has not been on the map for a long time, people fought and died, the borders of states were blurred, cities were destroyed. But after the emergence of new powerful states on the map of Europe, the title of Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire finally lost its meaning and quietly died in the beginning of the nineteenth century

Emperors of the Russian State

In the 18th century, what is the emperor, remembered in the Russian state. This title was adopted by the Russian tsars in 1721. The relevant decree was proclaimed by the Senate and the Synod in honor of the Nystadt Peace. In the decree of Tsar Peter I asked to take a new title and henceforth be called "the emperor the Great and Father of the Fatherland". The document was agreed upon and adopted by two most important Russian government bodies: the Senate considered secular affairs, and the Synod dealt with the spiritual side of being. Thus, it was stressed that the power of the emperor is both secular and spiritual.

Gradually, all the famous royal houses of Europe accepted the new title. The first to honor Russian princes in Prussia, the Netherlands and Sweden. The title of emperor accompanied every Russian monarch until their death. The last bearers of the Russian imperial title were shot in 1918.

French Emperors

Before the beginning of the 18th century, kings ruled in France. But for Napoleon I this title was unacceptable. A revolution has just come to its native France, in which all members of the royal family have ended their lives on the scaffold. Therefore, the king was not called the warrior and the ruler of the country. Here also the title of the emperor came in handy: the connection between the empire of Charlemagne and the state of Napoleon was emphasized. May 18, 1804, Napoleon was honored with this magnificent title. After his defeat and deposition, the title of emperor from the former sovereign of France was taken away. Later it briefly passed to Napoleon III, but due to a number of political failures, this ruler was not an emperor for long. After the formation of the presidential republic, the title finally went out of use.

Emperor in Austria-Hungary

In 1804 another empire was born on the map of Europe. Franz wished to free Italy from the power of the French and subordinate the entire southeast to the royal house of the Habsburgs. Franz Austrian later accepted the title of "apostolic" emperor and created yet another empire - Austria-Hungary.

The British Empire

Along with the continental European empires for some time there were others. For example, England began to call itself the British empires already in 1583, when the colonization of North America was completed. Even after the loss of the American colonies, England did not lose its influence and continued to pursue a policy throughout the world. In 1876, Britain annexed Indian possessions, so Queen Victoria was given the title of Empress of India. The power of the English Empire spread throughout the world - it was not for nothing that the sun never set over the British Empire.

There were also empires in other parts of the world. For example, who was an emperor was well known in Mexico. There some time Maximilian I rules. There were emperors in Haiti, in Brazil and some other countries.

The First World War destroyed all the foundations of the established world order. Imperial politics came to an end, and the emperors too. The world has changed, the emperors are a thing of the past, and you can learn about them only from articles, books or films on historical topics.