in the policy of the ancient Romans, a magistrate invested with sovereign and even arbitrary power.

He had power of life and death; also to raise and disband troops, make war or peace, and that without the consent either of the senate or people, or being accountable for his proceedings. He was elected by one of the consuls in the night-time, on the frontiers of the commonwealth, and nowhere else; and the ordinary duration of his office was only for six months, during which time all other magistracies ceased, the tribuneship excepted. Whenever he appeared in public, he was attended by twenty-four lictors, or double the number allowed a consul. However, notwithstanding all this power, he could not go out of Italy, or even ride on horseback during a march, without leave from the people.

This office was accounted the safeguard of the commonwealth for four hundred years together, till Sylla and Cæsar, by assuming the title of perpetual dictators, converted it into tyranny, and rendered the very name odious.