What Latin term is synonymous with "Emperor" and signifies 'ultimate authority' given to Octavian?

The term that is synonymous with "Emperor" and signifies 'ultimate authority' given to Octavian is "Imperator." This word, derived from Latin, means commander or leader and was historically used to denote a general in command of an army. However, during Octavian's rise to power, the title evolved to be associated with his role as the supreme ruler of the Roman Empire, marking the transition from the Roman Republic to autocratic rule.

After defeating Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Octavian took on the title of Imperator, which conferred upon him not only military authority but also the connotations of political supremacy that define the role of an emperor. This title effectively became part of the imperial nomenclature, symbolizing the centralized power that Octavian—later known as Augustus—would wield.

The other terms in the question—'Dictator,' 'Caesar,' and 'Consul'—hold different historical implications. 'Dictator' was used in the Republican context to refer to a leader granted temporary emergency powers; 'Caesar' became a title associated with imperial authority but originally pertained specifically to Gaius Julius Caesar; whereas 'Consul' was used to denote one of the highest elected political offices in the Republic, lacking