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Caligula threatened to make his horse Incitatus a senator on the grounds that he though they were a bunch of useless timewasters and even his horse could do a better job. Bear in mind however that after he was assassinated the magistrates and urban cohorts seized power in Rome, for a day or two until the Praetorians got their way and had Claudius installed as Princeps. Younger Imperators had a habit of being less respectful toward the Senate, but those who cooperated (Antoninus Pius is a good example) tended to live longer. But no matter what level of influence a Roman ruler possessed, he still needed acceptance from the Senate as the traditional source of authority. No such thing as 'emperor', and the privileges needed to rule Rome were awarded by Senators. not by making grandiose declarations. Remember that the only office in Roman culture that conferred the right to command citizens was Dictator, abolished by Marc Antony and refused by Augustus who set the template for future leaders. Diocletian declared his word was law, thus instituting the Dominate period in which ignoring the Imperator made you a criminal instead of a free man.