The "Emperor of Russia" was the title given to the monarch who ruled the Russian Empire from 1721 until the abdication in 1917. This title was first adopted by Peter the Great, who transformed Russia into a major European power. The emperor held absolute authority and was seen as the head of state and the church. The last emperor was Nicholas II, who ruled from 1894 until his abdication during the Russian Revolution. His reign saw significant social and political changes, leading to the eventual fall of the monarchy. The end of the imperial rule marked the beginning of the Soviet era in Russia.