Who was the first emperor of Rome?

The story behind the answer

Augustus was the first emperor of Rome. After Julius Caesar’s assassination in 44 BCE, his adopted heir Octavian defeated rivals, including Mark Antony and Cleopatra at Actium (31 BCE). In 27 BCE, the Senate granted him the title “Augustus” and powers that made him princeps (“first citizen”), founding the Principate and ushering in the Pax Romana—two centuries of relative peace and stability.

Remember: Julius Caesar was never emperor (he was dictator for life), Pompey was a powerful Republican general, and Claudius ruled much later (41–54 CE). Tip: “August” means majestic—Augustus began Rome’s majestic imperial era.