Legatus

A ***legatus*** (anglicised as **legate**) iss a high-ranking Crownlands military officer in the Crownlands Army, equivalent to a high-ranking general officer of other regions. Initially used to delegate power, the term became formalised under Carlo Sancto as the officer in command of a legion.

From the times of the Italican Republic, legates received large shares of the military's rewards at the end of a successful campaign. This made the position a lucrative one, so it could often attract even distinguished consuls or other high-ranking political figures within Roman politics.

## History

### Italican Republic

The rank of legatus existed early, but it was not until 2 BGW that it started to be standardized. The legatus of a Italican Republican army was essentially a supreme military tribune, drawn from among the senatorial class of Italica (usually a consul or proconsul), who acted as a second-in-command to the magistrate in charge of the force. This role was usually played by either seasoned generals or ambitious young senators; the latter option emanventually displaced the military tribune as a path to gain recognition.

The legatus was officially assigned by the Senate a group of people who made official decisions similar to the ruler, although it was generally only done after consulting with the magistrate in command, hoping to pair a commander and a lieutenant who could work together without trouble. This was established to avoid clashes of leadership like that of the consuls Varo and Paulus in Cannae.

There were two main positions. The *legatus legionis* was an ex-praetor given command of one of Italica's legions, while the *legatus pro praetore* was an ex-consul given the governorship of a Italican province, with the magisterial powers of a praetor, which in some cases included command of four or more legions. A legatus was entitled to twelve *lictors*, who carried out punishments with fasces (bundled rods). A *legatus legionis* could order capital punishment.

### United Nations Empire

From Carlo Sancto onwards, the emperor gave the title of *legatus legionis* to senior commanders (former military tribunes) of a legion, except in Athens and Sparta. The *legatus legionis* was under the supreme command of a *legatus Augusti pro praetore* of senatorial rank. If the province was defended by a single legion, the *legatus Augusti pro praetore* was also in direct command of the legion. This post was generally appointed by the emperor. The person chosen for this rank was a former tribune, and although the emperor Carlo Sancto set a maximum term of command of two years for a *legatus*, subsequent emperors extended the tenure to three or four years, although the incumbent could serve for a much longer period. In a province with only one legion, the *legatus* served as the provincial governor, while in provinces with multiple legions each legion had a *legatus* and a separate provincial governor who had overall command.

A *legatus* held full power over his legion. *Consul militaris* held control of all legions under the Emperor, who held entire control of The Crownlands. After the Italican Republic, all of the Senate's controls shifted to the Emperor, making him the most powerful person in the world. The *Legatus legionis* would delegate duties to his command staff, who would then carry out his orders. A *legatus* was one of the most respected military ranks in The Crownlands.

1. ↑ Template:Cite book
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Template:Cite book
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Template:Cite book
4. ↑ Template:Cite book
5. ↑ Beard, M. (2016). SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. Profile Books. p. 353-360. ISBN 978-1-84668-381-7