Final answer:
Roman emperors maintained power without being perceived as a king by adopting titles like 'first citizen', adhering to traditional Roman values, creating a facade of the Republic's continuation, and using public imagery and works to reinforce authority and legitimacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Roman emperor could maintain power without being perceived as a king by employing a variety of political, cultural, and symbolic strategies. Augustus, the first Roman emperor, established a precedent for how emperors could rule without the title of 'king' by positioning himself as the Princeps Civitatus or 'first citizen,' leveraging traditional Roman values, and reinforcing a facade of the Republic. He gained the novel legal status of imperium majus, giving him control akin to a dictator. His example showed that acknowledgment of customs and the law, even while wielding absolute power, could preserve the emperor's image.
Portraiture and public image were crucial, with emperors being depicted in ways that emphasized their role as leaders without directly claiming kingship, notably as generals, magistrates, or likened to gods. Public works and infrastructure, maintaining borders, and respecting Roman legal and cultural traditions, also reinforced their legitimacy while distancing themselves from the concept of monarchy.
Even as the imperial role evolved, the image of the emperor as a philosopher-king aligned with Plato's ideal ruler, exerting wise and virtuous leadership for the benefit of the state, further helped secure an emperor's power without necessitating the title of 'king'. The intricate court system and visible displays of authority helped to establish a connect between the ruler and the people, especially in a largely illiterate society.