The name Caesar, synonymous with absolute power and authority, ultimately came to define the position of emperor in countries throughout Europe (e.g. the German ‘Kaiser’; the Russian ‘tsar’). This course will explore the ancient genesis of the association of the ruler with that office, and then proceed to examine how subsequent ancient and medieval rulers responded to that office and name. The course will not only examine the significance of individual rulers and their role in defining the position of the emperor, but also to explore the broader social and political climates in which the Roman emperors operated and thus contributed to the development of political thought throughout western civilization. Attention will be paid to literary sources as well as to archeological evidence in order to assess the various ways and means in which individual emperors sanctioned their office and its policies. The course will seek to connect some of the broader trends in the course to the early modern and even recent perceptions of monarchy in Europe and the United States.