In ancient Rome, an officer with authority to judge cases of equity, responsibility for producing public games, and, in the absence of a consul, extensive authority in the government. After a one-year term, a praetor typically went on to govern a province.
Originally only a patrician magistrate could be a praetor, but from &circa; 337 &BC;, the position was also open to plebeians. The number of praetors increased to eight by the 1st century &BC;, two for civil matters and six for specific courts. It continued to vary under different government leaders and emperors; by the late empire, only the city praetor for public games remained.
This is the complete article, containing 106 words
(approx. 1 page at 300 words per page).
View More Summaries on Praetor
