Who was allowed to rule Rome and establish an empire in place of the Roman Republic?

The transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire allowed emperors to rule Rome, beginning with Augustus in 27 BCE. The Senate still existed but held significantly less power, as emperors held ultimate authority. This shift was characterized by centralized power in a single ruler, who often claimed divine right or military backing to legitimize their rule. The emperors established a more autocratic system, leading to the expansion and consolidation of the Roman Empire.