in Roman antiquity, a military officer who commanded as deputy of the chief general. The design of the legati at their first institution, was not so much to command as to advise. They were chosen by the consuls, the authority of the senate concurring with their nomination. There were two kinds of legati, viz. a legatus in the army, under the imperator or general, who commanded in chief under him, and managed all affairs by his permission; and a legatus in the provinces under the proconsul or governor, in whose absence the legatus had the honour to use the fasces, and was intrusted with the same charge as the office he represented. As to the number of the legati we have no certainty, but may suppose that this depended upon the pleasure of the general, &c. Under the emperors, there were two sorts of legati; consulares and praetorii; the first of whom commanded whole armies, as the emperor's lieutenant-generals; and the others, only particular legions.