Augustus (the Title)

The title or rank Augustus was granted, almost always by right of succession to the supreme ruler of ancient Rome. The name is taken from the first Emperor, Augustus. At many points during Rome's history, there were more than one ruler, resulting in several "co-augustii" and culminating in the Tetrarchy set-up devised by Diocletian. Various coins minted by usurpers show that they proclaimed themselves Augustus, although their status as such was rarely recognized by the Emperor in Rome.