Praetor: meaning, definitions and examples
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praetor
[ ˈpreɪtər ]
Roman official
A praetor was a title given to early Roman magistrates, primarily responsible for the administration of justice. They held significant power within the Roman government, often acting as judges in legal cases. The position evolved over time, with later praetors overseeing provincial governance.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The praetor ruled over the province with authority.
- In ancient Rome, a praetor could issue edicts to govern.
- The praetor was responsible for ensuring justice was served.
Translations
Translations of the word "praetor" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pretor
🇮🇳 प्रेटर
🇩🇪 Prätor
🇮🇩 praetor
🇺🇦 претор
🇵🇱 pretor
🇯🇵 プラエトル
🇫🇷 prêteur
🇪🇸 pretor
🇹🇷 pretor
🇰🇷 프레토르
🇸🇦 بريتور
🇨🇿 pretor
🇸🇰 pretor
🇨🇳 法官
🇸🇮 pretor
🇮🇸 pretor
🇰🇿 претор
🇬🇪 პრეტორი
🇦🇿 pretor
🇲🇽 pretor
Etymology
The term 'praetor' originates from the Latin word 'praetor', which is derived from 'prae' meaning 'before' and 'iter' meaning 'way or path'. Initially, the praetor served as a military officer but gradually took on judicial responsibilities in the Roman state. The office of praetor was established in the Roman Republic around 366 BC and became crucial in maintaining the legal order in Rome. Over the centuries, the role expanded, with praetors overseeing legal matters and provincial governance, which led to several iterations of the title, including 'praetor urbanus' for the urban jurisdiction and 'praetor peregrinus' for cases involving foreigners. The influence of the praetor's decisions and their involvement in the development of Roman law played a significant role in shaping legal principles that would influence Western legal systems.