The emperor was the supreme paterfamilias, his benevolent rule reciprocated by the obedience of his ministers and subjects, while family members were fixed in their appropriate hierarchical relationships.
Císař byl nejvyšší hlavou rodiny, jehož shovívavou vládu opláceli svou poslušností ministři i poddaní, zatímco rodinné příslušníky vázaly patřičné hierarchické vztahy.