Princeps

The Latin word Princeps (plural: principes) means "the first".

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This article is devoted to a number of specific historical meanings the word took, by far the most important of which follows first.

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Princeps (in this sense usually rendered translated as "First Citizen") was an official title of a Roman Emperor, by some historians seen as the title determining the Emperor in Ancient Rome.

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The word "Princeps" derived from Princeps Senatus ("Primus inter pares" of the Senate). It was first given to the Emperor Augustus in 23 BC, who wisely saw that use of the titles rex (meaning king) or dictator would create resentment amongst senators and other influential men, who had earlier demonstrated their disapproval by supporting the assassination of Julius Caesar. While Augustus had political and military supremacy, he needed the assistance of his fellow Romans to manage the Empire.

Emperor: :This article is about Emperor in the meaning of "monarch", for all other uses, see: Emperor (disambiguation)...

Ancient Rome: Ancient Rome was a civilization that existed in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East between 753 BC and its downfall in AD 476. For several centuries, the Romans controlled the whole of Western Europe, as well as the entire area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and some of the area surrounding...

Princeps Senatus: The princeps senatus (plural principes senatus) was the leader of the Roman senate. Although officially out of the cursus honorum and owning no imperium, this office brought enormous prestige to the senator holding it....