What type of emperors did the Romans have?

The Romans had various types of emperors, primarily categorized into two main types: the principate and the dominate. The principate, established by Augustus, featured emperors who maintained a facade of republican governance while holding ultimate power. In contrast, the dominate, which emerged in the late Roman Empire, saw emperors adopting a more autocratic style, often emphasizing their divine authority and centralized control over the empire. Throughout these periods, emperors varied in their governance styles, from benevolent rulers to tyrannical figures.