Imperātor
A Roman title, originally the designation of each separate possessor of an independent
command (
imperium). In the course of time
 |
|
Augustus. (Glyptothek, Munich.)
|
it became customary to assume the title after a man had gained his first great
victory, usually after having been greeted as imperator either by the soldiers on the
battlefield, or by the decree of the Senate. Under the Empire the title, which was seldom
conferred by Augustus, was granted for the last time by Tiberius, A.D. 22. It was usually
followed by a triumph, and ceased when the triumph was over. As a permanent title, it was
first assumed by Caesar, whose adopted son and heir, Octavian (Augustus), bore it as an
inherited cognomen, and from the year B.C. 40 onwards, according to a custom that arose at
that time, substituted it for his previous praenomen Gaius , instead of Caesar Imperator
(Mommsen,
Staatsr. ii.3 pp. 767-770). His immediate
successors, Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius abstained from using this praenomen; Nero used it
frequently, but it first became permanent with Vespasian. The emperors also took the title
Imperator, in its earlier signification, after a victory won by themselves or on their behalf.
See
Imperium.
