Absolute rulers (9)
(Another definition for dictators that I've seen is " Ruthless leaders".)
(Another definition for autocrats that I've seen is " Despots".)
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">absolute rulers</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this in another clue)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for emperors that I've seen before include "Tsars" , "Rulers of great territories" .)