Legatus

in Roman antiquity, a military officer who commanded as deputy of the chief general. Kennett, in his Antiquities, observes, that the design of the legati, at their first institution, was not so much to command as to advise. The senate selecting some of the oldest and most prudent members to a ist the general in his councils. Dionysius calls this the most honorable and sacred office among the Romans, bearing not only the authority of a commander, but with all, the sanctity and veneration of a priest. Under the emperors there were two sorts of legati , consul a res and prætorii ; the first of which commanded the whole armies, as the emperor’s lieutenant generals, and the other only particular legions. Machiavel highly extols the wisdom of the Romans, in allowing their generals unlimited commi ions.