Western Civilization I / Unit 7 WC1 0601 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Principate, Caesar, Emperor: Rome's Words for Rule
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The idea
Octavian replaced the Republic with one sovereign ruler while paying lip service to it. The system is the Principate, rule by the First Citizen, princeps civitatis. Caesar went from family name to title; imperator became emperor.
In practice
Tsar and Kaiser descend from Caesar; prince from princeps.
Where people slip
The exam's word is Principate. The anchor and the course say emperor.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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