Emperor: Did you mean...?

The Byzantine Emperor ruled as an absolute monarch in an institution which lasted from the 4th to 15th century CE. Aided by ministers, high-ranking nobility, and key church figures, the emperor (and sometimes empress) was commander-in-chief...

Roman emperors ruled the Roman Empire starting with Augustus in 27 BCE and continuing in the West until the late 5th century CE and in the Eastern Roman Empire up to the mid-15th century CE. The emperors took titles such as Caesar...

The Yongle Emperor (aka Chengzu or Yung Lo, r. 1403-1424 CE) was the third ruler of the Chinese Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 CE). Inheriting a stable state thanks to the work of his father, the Hongwu Emperor (r. 1368-1398 CE), Yongle...

The Jianwen Emperor (r. 1398-1402 CE) was the second ruler of the Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644 CE). Following a civil war and Jianwen's mysterious disappearance, his uncle took over the throne and ruled as the Yongle Emperor...

A 10th century portrait on a hanging silk scroll of Taizu, first emperor of the Song dynasty in China, r. 960-976. The extensions on the emperor's black gauze cap symbolise his power and dignity. National Palace Museum, Taipei.

A 16th century CE portrait on silk of Japanese Emperor Kammu (r. 781 to 806 CE) who is most noted for relocating the capital to Heiankyo (Kyoto) in 784 CE. (Enryaku-ji Monastery, near Kyoto, Japan)

A portrait of Chinese emperor Gaozu, founder of the Tang Dynasty, r. 618-626 CE.

An illustration depicting Japanese Emperor Shirakawa (r. 1073-1086 CE).

An illustration depicting Japanese Emperor Toba (r. 1107-1123 CE)

A painted silk scroll depicting Taizong, second emperor during the Tang Dynasty of China, r. 626-649. The emperor's robe shows a dragon, a traditional symbol of rulership as the creature represents wisdom, justice, and benevolence...