Magistratus

Magistratus ordinarii (ordinary magistrates) and Magistratus extraordinarii (extraordinary magistrates) were two categories of officials who held political, military, and, in some cases, religious power in the Roman Republic.

The ordinary magistrates were elected annually (except censor) and served for one year. Usually at least two of each ordinary magistrate were elected to prevent one man gaining too much power. By contrast, extraordinary magistrates were elected only in special circumstances and not necessarily with a colleague. The extraordinary magistrates held power over ordinary magistrates.

Ordinary magistrates

• Tribune
• Quaestor
• Aedile
• Praetor
• Consul
• Censor

Extraordinary magistrates

• Dictator
• Master of the Horse
• Decemviri
• Consular Tribune
• Triumviri

See also

• Cursus honorum
• Magistratus Curulis
• Roman dictator

External links

• Magistratus (article in Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities)
• The Roman Law Library, incl. Edicta magistratuum by Professor Yves Lassard and Alexandr Koptev.