The first Roman Emperor was Augustus, who was crowned in 27 BCE after the death of Julius Caesar. Augustus founded the Julio-Claudian dynasty, which ruled until 68 CE. After the fall of the Julio-Claudians, the empire was ruled by a series of different dynasties, including the Flavians, the Antonines, and the Severans.
The Roman Empire reached its peak under the rule of the Antonines in the 2nd century CE. During this time, the empire was at peace and enjoyed great prosperity. However, the empire began to decline in the 3rd century CE due to a series of internal and external problems, including civil wars, invasions by Germanic tribes, and the rise of Christianity.
The Roman Empire finally fell in 476 CE when the last Western Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was deposed. The empire's collapse marked the end of classical civilisation and the beginning of the Middle Ages.
Here are some of the key characteristics of Roman Emperors:
* They were absolute rulers and had complete power over all aspects of the empire.
* They were responsible for the military, the economy, and the law.
* They were often worshipped as gods and were considered to be the earthly representatives of Jupiter, the king of the gods.
* They lived in great luxury and enjoyed the finest food, wine, and entertainment.
* They were often killed in battle, assassinated, or forced to commit suicide.
The Roman Emperors were some of the most powerful and influential figures in history. They helped to shape the course of Western civilisation and their legacy can still be seen today.