praetor
/'pri:pɔstə/ Cách viết khác : (pretor) /'pri:tə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- an annually elected magistrate of the ancient Roman Republic