principate

Etymology
, referring to the titles and, adopted by  in order to preserve the illusion of formal continuance of some aspects of the.

Noun

 * 1)  The early period of the Roman Empire, during which some characteristics of the government of the Roman Republic were retained; the reign of any particular emperor during said period.
 * 2) * 1996, Clare Krojzl (translator), Sebastian Hensel, III: From Diocletian to Alaric [1886, lecture notes], Theodor Mommsen (editor), A History of Rome Under the Emperors, C.H.Beck'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Republished 2005, Taylor & Francis (Routledge), eBook, page 317,
 * The dominate of Diocletian and Constantine differs more sharply from the principate than the latter does from the Republic.
 * 1) The office of one who is principal or preeminent (such as a prince); the quality or status of being principal; preeminence.
 * 2) * 1998, Annabel S. Brett (translator and editor),, On the Power Of Emperors and Popes, Thoemmes Press, page 87,
 * From all this we may draw the conclusion that papal principate was instituted for the utility and advantage of its subjects and not for the honour and glory or the utility and temporal advantage of the holder of the principate, in such a way as that such principate deserves to be be called 'of service' and not of 'lordship'.
 * 1) A state ruled by a prince; a principality.
 * 1) The office of one who is principal or preeminent (such as a prince); the quality or status of being principal; preeminence.
 * 2) * 1998, Annabel S. Brett (translator and editor),, On the Power Of Emperors and Popes, Thoemmes Press, page 87,
 * From all this we may draw the conclusion that papal principate was instituted for the utility and advantage of its subjects and not for the honour and glory or the utility and temporal advantage of the holder of the principate, in such a way as that such principate deserves to be be called 'of service' and not of 'lordship'.
 * 1) A state ruled by a prince; a principality.
 * 1) A state ruled by a prince; a principality.

Usage notes

 * Taken to extend from the beginning of Augustus' reign to the end of the : i.e., from 27 BCE—284 CE. The end corresponds to the beginning of the reign of, whose reforms included a move to a more explicitly autocratic style.

Translations

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Adjective

 * 1) Primary; principal.