Definition

Noun: 1. An annually elected magistrate of the ancient Roman Republic: A high-ranking public official in ancient Rome, elected yearly, who held significant judicial and administrative authority. The praetor was primarily responsible for the administration of justice.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The praetor presided over the courts and interpreted the law.
  • After serving as consul, he was elected praetor.
  • The edict issued by the urban praetor set important legal precedents.

Advanced Usage

• Praetor peregrinus: The "praetor for foreigners," a specific magistrate who administered justice in cases involving non-Roman citizens.
  • Disputes between a Roman merchant and a foreign trader would fall under the jurisdiction of the praetor peregrinus.
• Praetor urbanus: The "urban praetor," the magistrate responsible for justice between Roman citizens in the city of Rome.
  • The praetor urbanus was one of the most important legal officials in Rome.

Variants and Related Words

• Praetorian (adjective): Pertaining to a praetor or the bodyguard of a Roman commander or emperor.
  • The Praetorian Guard was originally the elite guard for Roman generals.
• Praetorship (noun): The office, term, or jurisdiction of a praetor.
  • His praetorship was marked by several important legal reforms.

Synonyms

• Magistrate: A civil officer who administers the law.
• Judge: A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law. (This is a functional synonym in the context of administering justice.)

Related Phrases and Terms

• Cursus honorum: The sequential order of public offices held by aspiring politicians in the Roman Republic, of which the praetorship was a key step.
  • A successful political career required following the traditional cursus honorum, which included serving as praetor.
• Imperium: The supreme executive power in ancient Rome, held by consuls, praetors, and later emperors, which included command of the army and the administration of justice.
  • A praetor exercised imperium within the sphere of his judicial duties.

Noun

1. an annually elected magistrate of the ancient Roman Republic