Rome, the return of the Monarchical System

With the ascent of Gaius Julius Caesar and his adoptive son Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus, the powers of the king almost returned. Gaius Julius Caesar was elected both pontifex maximus and dictator for life, which gave him even more powers than the ancient kings of old. He also affected red shoes, and had a diadem publicly placed on his head by Marcus Antonius, although he removed it to great applause. Caesar was assassinated on the "Ides of March", 44 BC. During the period between 28 BC and 12 BC, Augustus gained consular imperium and the powers of the Tribune of the People, combined with the positions of pontifex maximus and princeps senatus, making him a de facto monarch. This was the beginning of the Principate, although republican institutions continued until the Dominate. Even into the Byzantine era, the emperor would share the title of consul with another.