Which figure is often associated with the transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire?

The transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire is primarily associated with Julius Caesar. While he was not the first emperor, his actions and reforms significantly disrupted the traditional Republican order. Caesar's rise to power included centralizing authority, crossing the Rubicon, and ultimately his appointment as dictator for life, all of which challenged the existing political structure of the Republic. His assassination in 44 BCE set off a series of civil wars that ultimately led to the establishment of the Empire.

Although there are other noteworthy figures in the context of Rome's transition from Republic to Empire, such as Caesar Augustus—who formally became the first emperor and solidified the imperial system—Julius Caesar's role as a pivotal figure in this transformation cannot be overstated. His accumulation of power and the resultant political chaos directly facilitated the conditions that allowed for the emergence of the Empire after his death.