An emperor (through Old French empereor from Latin imperator) is a (male) monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), mother (empress dowager), or a woman who rules in her own right (empress regnant). Emperors are generally recognized to be of a higher honor and rank than kings.
Currently, the Emperor of Japan is the only reigning monarch with the title.
Read more about Emperor: Distinction From Other Monarchs, Roman Tradition, Ottoman Empire, Holy Roman Empire, Austrian Empire, Emperors of Eastern Europe, Pre-Columbian Traditions, Persia, Indian Subcontinent, Oceania, Fictional Uses
Famous quotes containing the word emperor:
“Man you ought to see his plans for allsteel buildins. He’s got an idea the skyscraper of the future’ll be built of steel and glass. We’ve been experimenting with vitrous tile recently... crist-amighty some of his plans would knock you out... He’s got a great sayin about some Roman emperor who found Rome of brick and left it of marble. Well he says he’s found New York of brick an that he’s goin to leave it of steel... steel an glass.”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)
“The greater the privilege, the more hidden the arrogance. The Emperor of China need not exist.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“The emperor is in the Church, not about the Church.”
—Ambrose (c. 333–397)