The title "Emperor of the Romans" refers to the ruler of the Roman Empire, a vast political and social structure that dominated much of Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. This title was first used by Augustus, the first Roman emperor, who established the imperial system after the fall of the Roman Republic. The emperor held supreme authority over the military, government, and religious practices. In the later period, the title evolved and was also used by the Holy Roman Emperors, who claimed to be the successors of the ancient Roman emperors. This title symbolized a connection to the legacy of Rome, even as the political landscape changed significantly in medieval Europe.