On Julius Caesar's death (44BC), the Roman Empire was split between:

• Octavian, Caesar's great-nephew and adopted son.He controlled Rome, Italy and the west.

• Mark Anthony, Caesar's best friend. He controlled the east. He fell under the influence of Cleopatra , the Egyptian Pharaoh, who wanted to re-create an Egyptian empire.

The two fought a naval battle at Actium , in Egypt which Octavian won. Mark Anthony fled to Egypt and , knowing that they would be defeated by Octavian, he and Cleopatra committed suicide. Egypt and the east became part of the Roman empire under Octavian.

In 27 BC Octavian received the title of : Imperator Caesar Augustus , the permanent and only ruler of the Roman empire. His support and power really came from the army but he was careful to respect the old laws and customs of the republic.

This is how he governed :

Chooses                                   Vetoes Laws                     Controls Army
Senate
                                                   Proposes Laws             Controls Religion
Chooses
Magistrates


A good emperor was made into a god, descendant of Aenid and Romulus & Remus, by the Senate. This happened to Augustus, Trajan, Marcus Aurelius and Antonin.A bad Emperor was committed to damnation by the Senate.

Emperors ruled the Roman Empire from 27BC  to 476 AD.