Dictator

Евсеенков А.С.

A dictator (Latin: dictator) in Ancient Rome was a specially authorized magistrate during the Republic period, appointed by the consuls based on a Senate decree, for a maximum term of six months during emergencies or threats to the Roman state when it was deemed necessary to concentrate power in a single individual.

The appointment of a dictator proceeded as follows: the Senate would issue a decree stating, "Let the consuls take care that the state suffers no harm." Following this, the consuls would name the dictator and immediately dismiss their lictors, all of whom would then transfer to the dictator (the dictator was entitled to 24 lictors, while the consuls had 12). At this point, the consuls became ordinary Roman citizens in relation to the dictator, who held the power of life and death over them, as well as over all citizens, except for the people's tribunes. After being appointed, the dictator would select an assistant, known as the magister equitum (Master of the Horse).

The dictator possessed the full authority of the state. Upon the appointment of a dictator, the reason for their election was always added to their title (for example, a dictator elected due to military danger would be called Dictator rei gerundae causa, meaning "dictator for the purpose of conducting war"). A dictator could not be held accountable after their term ended for any actions they had taken while in office.

Until the 4th century BCE, it was not possible to appeal a dictator's decrees to the people’s assembly. Typically, all officials, including the consuls, obeyed the dictator. Initially, only patricians could be appointed to the office of dictator, but from 356 BCE, plebeians could also be appointed. In rare cases, a dictator was chosen to perform a single specific task, such as a "dictator for the driving of a nail" (a religious ritual during a festival). During the Late Republic, under Sulla and Caesar, dictators could be appointed without a time limit (dictator perpetuus), at which point the office of dictator took on a monarchical character.

• Official legal grounds for appointing a dictator:

• rei gerundae causa — for the purpose of conducting war;

• clavi figendi causa — for the purpose of driving a nail in the Temple of Jupiter;

• quaestionibus exercendis — for the purpose of conducting judicial proceedings;

• seditionis sedandae causa — for the purpose of quelling a rebellion;

• ludorum faciendorum causa — for the purpose of conducting public games;

• feriarum constituendarum causa — for the purpose of organizing festivals;

• comitiorum habendorum causa — for the purpose of holding assemblies;

• legendo senatui — for the purpose of replenishing the Senate;

• legibus faciendis et rei publicae constituendae causa — for the purpose of passing laws and restoring order to the Republic.

Related topics

Roman Republic, Senator, Gaius Julius Caesar, Lucius Cornelius Sulla