---
title: Praetor
author: Donald L. Wasson
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/praetor/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2024-03-27
---
# Praetor
_Authored by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/)_
A *praetor* was a senior magistrate in ancient [Roman government](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Government/), who was granted executive or imperium powers similar to that of the *consuls*. Although originally assigned legal authority over the courts, his executive powers allowed him to command the army and, if needed, even preside over the [Roman Senate](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Senate/). Candidates usually had to serve as a *praetor* before they could stand election to the consulship.
### The Cursus Honorum
After the ousting of the last king, [Lucius Tarquinius Superbus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lucius_Tarquinius_Superbus/), in 509 BCE, the [Roman Republic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Republic/) was established, placing executive power in the hands of two *consuls*, elected annually by the Assembly. They were the political and military heads of state, presiding over the Senate, conducting foreign affairs, proposing laws, and commanding the army. The yearly election of two *consuls* prevented any one man from gaining too much power. As a safeguard, each *[consul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Consul/)* had the right to veto the other's decision (*intercessio*). Each *consul* was also required to answer for any decision made during his time in office.
However, the duties of running a government the size of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) proved overwhelming, and lesser magistrates were necessary to help administer the needs of the state. As a result, the *cursus honorum* ("path of honor") evolved. These offices became a road to the consulship, where an interval of two years was required between each office. The *lex Villia Annalis* of 180 BCE set a minimum age for each magistrate (39 for *praetors* and 42 for *consuls*). The [law](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/law/) would be later confirmed by the dictator Lucius Cornelius [Sulla](https://www.worldhistory.org/sulla/) around 82 BCE.
After serving in the [Roman army](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Army/) for at least ten years, an individual with political ambitions could pursue the first elected rung on the ladder at the age of 28: the *[quaestor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Quaestor/)*. Although only serving for one year, the *quaestor's* primary duties included overseeing the state finances: its treasuries, accounting procedures and record keeping. Other duties included administrating public properties and collecting taxes. While assigned to one of the provinces and serving as an assistant to a senior magistrate, he might also serve as a tax collector and recruiting officer.
Next came the *[aedile](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aedile/)* – four were elected each year – who supervised the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)'s public works: the roads, the water supply, the upkeep of the temples, and the running of the public games. Like all rungs on the ladder, the *aedile* was unpaid. This meant that only those with the necessary financial support could hold the office.
The next step on the path was the *praetor*. Although his primary function was to conduct judicial proceedings, both civil and provincial, he was also endowed with executive or *imperium* power, similar to that of the *consul*, and he could perform most of their duties when required. The various functions of the magistrates expanded as Rome expanded into the Balkans, Asia, [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/), and Spain. However, despite the increase in their responsibilities, the yearly elections of all magistrates still checked an individual's power.
### Origins
Initially, at the founding of the Republic, the term *praetor* (it means "to go before" – from *prae ire*) was used to designate the two annually elected republican magistrates who served as the heads of state. In 367 BCE, at a time when only [patricians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Patrician/) could hold any government office, a new law, the Licinio-Sextian rogations, added a third *praetor*. The law, or compromise, was the creation of the tribunes Gaius Licinius Stolo and Lucius Sextius Lateranus and allowed, among other provisos, the intermarriage between patricians and [plebeians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Plebeians/). The establishment of a third *praetor* was a concession to the law's [patrician](https://www.worldhistory.org/Patrician/) opposition. As a result, the original two *praetors* were renamed as *consuls*. However, the third *praetor* still retained his imperium powers and the ability to perform all of the functions of a *consul*, both in Rome and in the provinces. His official duty was overseeing the courts, a position that allowed him even to impose the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) penalty when appropriate. When the *consuls* were absent from Rome (which happened quite often), the *praetor* became the chief magistrate. As a symbol of his office, he wore a purple cloak and was escorted by *lictors*, who carried with them the *[fasces](https://www.worldhistory.org/Fasces/)*, a bundle of rods wrapped around an axe. It designated his right, when necessary, to use force.
[  Ancient Roman Society and Social Order Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17368/ancient-roman-society-and-social-order/ "Ancient Roman Society and Social Order")Since the early days of the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) Republic, the plebeians had fought for the right to participate in their government. After a lengthy struggle, often referred to as the Conflict of the Orders, the plebeians gained a voice in the plebeian Assembly, and in the 4th century BCE, they were finally allowed to become an integral part of the Roman government, with the right to become a *consul*. The first plebeian *consul* was elected in 366 BCE, and from 342 BCE onward, one of the two *consuls* had to be a plebeian. Eventually, plebeians gained access to all political offices: *quaestor*, *aedile*, and *praetor*: the first plebeian *praetor* was elected in 337 BCE.
### Evolution of the Role
The [First Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/First_Punic_War/) (264-241 BCE) against [Carthage](https://www.worldhistory.org/carthage/) brought a number of changes to Rome. Around 244 BCE, the number of *praetors* was increased from one to two: one being designated as *praetor urbanus* (internal affairs) while the second became *praetor inter peregrinos* (foreign affairs). Around 228 BCE, the number was increased to four to provide commanders for [Sicily](https://www.worldhistory.org/sicily/) and Sardinia, lands acquired from the [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) with Carthage. Exercising their *imperium* powers, *praetors* were continually used as commanders as the borders were expanded through [Roman warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Warfare/). This remained true even during the early [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/). Stephen Dando-Collins in his *Legions of Rome* wrote how [Vespasian](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vespasian/) (the future [Roman emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/), r. 69-79 CE) and his brother Sabinus served as *praetors*, commanding legions during the Roman invasion of [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/) in 43 CE.
[  Map of the Expansion of the Roman Republic (c. 260 - 30 BCE) Simeon Netchev (CC BY-NC-ND) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16762/map-of-the-expansion-of-the-roman-republic-c-260/ "Map of the Expansion of the Roman Republic (c. 260 - 30 BCE)")The defeat of [Hannibal](https://www.worldhistory.org/hannibal/) in the [Second Punic War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Second_Punic_War/) (218-201 BCE) gave control of Spain to Rome, adding the provinces of Nearer Spain and Further Spain to Rome's realm. Two more *praetors* would be added – bringing the total to six – to serve in these newly acquired Spanish provinces. The war in Spain would continue for decades until Emperor [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) (r. 27 BCE to 14 CE) completed the [conquest](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/). Territory acquired through wars with Philip V of Macedonia, his son [Perseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Perseus/), and Antiochus, king of the [Seleucid Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Seleucid_Empire/), expanded the Republic further east. With extensive expansion, two *consuls* proved to be inadequate. Since adding a third *consul* was impossible, the expansion called for a greater role for the *praetor*. Although *praetors* served as commanders in the provinces, one still remained in Rome. The Senate did not see the need to increase their number which remained at six.
As the number of provinces grew, the power of an annually-elected magistrate in a province could be extended for a second or third year. "The more *praetors* there were the greater the range of responsibilities, the greater the range of responsibilities, the increase in the opportunities for achievement and appreciation." (Holland, 5) The competition to become a *consul* was fierce. And it was obvious that most *praetors* would not become *consul*. With a successful provincial command, a *praetor* stood a better chance in his quest for a consulship.
In 123 BCE, the [tribune](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tribune/) [Tiberius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tiberius/) Sempronius Gracchus initiated a new praetorian court to try cases of provincial extortion. Additional courts would be added between 123 and 91 BCE. By [Cicero](https://www.worldhistory.org/Cicero/)'s (106-43 BCE) time there were a number of jury courts to handle various cases, among them murder and treason. Juries consisted of between thirty and sixty jurors, aediles, and were chosen by lot, voting in secret. A *praetor* would preside over the case. Civil cases were heard in two parts: in the first part, the case was heard before a *praetor,* who defined the issues. In the second part, the court decision, already decided by the *praetor*, was presented by a judge and jury.
The number of *praetors* changed dramatically over the following decades. The dictator Sulla (138-78 BCE) increased the number to eight, hoping to increase opportunities and foster competition. [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) (100-44 BCE) increased the number to 16, not only to provide offices for his supporters but also to fill essential functions in the provinces. Augustus reduced the number to twelve and then to ten. Although changes were being made elsewhere, under the Principate, the *praetor* retained his position in Rome. Under the emperor [Hadrian](https://www.worldhistory.org/hadrian/) (r. 117-138 CE), the *praetor* continued to reside over the criminal courts while assuming new duties such as overseeing the public games. Later, some of the judicial duties of the *praetor* were undertaken by the *consuls* while the *praetor* supervised the treasury, but there was life after a consulship. While some individuals chose to became *censors,* others found a new life in a province. Former *consuls* and *praetors* were regularly given appointments as a governor of a province, thereby becoming *proconsuls* and *propraetors*. Most of the important provinces went to a *proconsul* while *propraetors* received the lesser ones. A *propraetor* outranked the legion's legate and was entitled to six *fasces* and six *lictors* (a *proconsul* got twelve).
[  Roman Lictor Carrying Fasces Cesare Vercellio (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5045/roman-lictor-carrying-fasces/ "Roman Lictor Carrying Fasces")The position of the *praetor* changed dramatically from the onset of the Roman Republic through the final years of the Roman [Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). His duties began with supervising Rome's judicial system, both civil and provincial, making life and death decisions, but as the size of the Republic (and later the Empire) increased, the number of *praetors* was increased from one in the beginning to ten under Augustus.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Dando-Collins, Stephen. *Legions of Rome.* St. Martins Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1250004713/)
- [Duncan, Mike. *The Storm Before the Storm.* PublicAffairs, 2018.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1541724038/)
- [Everitt, Anthony. *Cicero.* Random House, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B003E8AJ2E/)
- [Everitt, Anthony. *The Rise of Rome.* Random House , 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0812978153/)
- [Freeman, Philip. *Julius Caesar.* Simon & Schuster, 2009.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0743289544/)
- [Goldsworthy, Adrian. *Pax Romana.* Yale University Press, 2017.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0300230621/)
- [Gwynn, David M. *The Roman Republic.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199595119/)
- [Hornblower, Simon & Spawforth, Antony. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2003.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0198606419/)
- [Rosenstein, Nathan & Morstein-Marx, Robert. *A Companion to the Roman Republic.* Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1444334131/)
- [Southern, Patricia. *The Roman Army.* Amberley Publishing, 2016.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1445655330/)
- [Tom Holland. *Rubicon.* Anchor, 2005.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1400078970/)
## About the Author
Donald has taught Ancient, Medieval and U.S. History at Lincoln College (Normal, Illinois)and has always been and will always be a student of history, ever since learning about Alexander the Great. He is eager to pass knowledge on to his students.
## Timeline
- **367 BCE**: The Licino-Sextian rogations establish the office a third [praetor](https://www.worldhistory.org/praetor/); the original two are renamed consuls.
- **337 BCE**: The first plebeian [praetor](https://www.worldhistory.org/praetor/) is elected.
- **228 BCE**: The number of praetors is increased to four.
- **c. 226 BCE**: [Marcus Claudius Marcellus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Claudius_Marcellus/) is made a [praetor](https://www.worldhistory.org/praetor/).
- **180 BCE**: The Lex Villia Annalis sets the minimum age of each magistracy in the [Roman government](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Government/).
- **73 BCE**: [Marcus Licinius Crassus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Licinius_Crassus/) is made [praetor](https://www.worldhistory.org/praetor/).
## Questions & Answers
### What was the role of a praetor?
The praetor's primary function was to conduct judicial proceedings, both civil and provincial, but he had executive or imperium power, similar to that of the consul, and he could perform most consular duties when required. He could govern provinces, preside in the Senate or act as an army commander.
### What does praetor mean?
The term praetor (it means "to go before" – from prae ire) was used to designate annually elected senior magistrates who initially acted as the heads of state when the Roman Republic was founded. Their duties changed and evolved during the history of Rome.
### Is praetor the highest rank?
At the founding of the Roman Republic, praetor was the highest rank. However, from the 4th century BCE, consuls outranked praetors.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Wasson, D. L. (2024, March 27). Praetor. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Wasson, Donald L.. "Praetor." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 27, 2024. .
### MLA
Wasson, Donald L.. "Praetor." *World History Encyclopedia*, 27 Mar 2024, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/ "User Page: Donald L. Wasson"), published on 27 March 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.