What is an Imperator?
An imperator was a ruler during the time of the Roman Republic. This position was above that of consul, but below that of dictator. An imperator was someone given command of an army by the senate. The title was later also used by emperors.
The first Roman Imperator to become emperor
Emperor Caesar Augustus was the first emperor of Rome and was one of the most influential figures in world history. He was born Gaius Octavius in 63 BC into a patrician family in Rome. His great uncle Julius Caesar adopted him in his will, making him his heir to the name Julius Caesar. Imperator Caesar Augustus restored the Republic as autocrat and became the first Princeps (Emperor) of Rome.
He launched Rome's first major campaign of expansion in nearly two decades: he conquered Egypt and annexed it as a province. He also began the colonization of Germania (An area in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Denmark). His rule was an important turning point in Roman history, after which Rome became an empire. Imperator Augustus died in 14 A.D., leaving a lasting legacy.
What do we still see of the Roman Empire today
For centuries, the Roman Empire was one of the most powerful empires in the world. Even though it fell more than 1,500 years ago, its influence is still visible. Many modern countries, especially in Europe, were once part of the Roman Empire. Latin, the language of the Roman Empire, is still used in many languages. Roman law and government also influenced the development of modern democracies. The Roman Empire was truly a world power that left a lasting legacy.
What is an empire
An empire is a political construct in which one group or nation controls the territory of another group or nation. An empire can be created by conquest, where a group or nation gains control of another group's or nation's territory by force, or by colonization, where a group or nation gains control of another group's or nation's territory by settlement.
The German Imperator passenger ship
The German Imperator was a large passenger ship built in Hamburg, Germany in 1912. At the time of her launch, she was the largest ship in the world. It was designed for transatlantic crossings and was operated by the Hamburg America Line. The Imperator was in service for just over a year before she was requisitioned by the German government for use as a troopship during World War I. She was sunk by British torpedoes in 1918.