a military officer amongst the Romans, who commanded as deputy of the commander in chief. The legati, at their first institution, were not so much to command as to advise. They were generally chosen by the consuls, with the approbation of the senate. As to the number of the legati, we have no certain information, though we may upon good grounds assign one to every legion. In the absence of the consul or proconsul, they had the honour to use the fasces.

Under the emperors there were two sorts of legati, confulares and praetorii. The first commanded whole armies, as the emperors lieutenant-generals; and the other had the command of particular legions.

The legati under the proconsuls in the provinces, served for judging inferior causes, and management of smaller concerns, remitting things of great moment to the governor or president himself. This was the original office of the legati, as was hinted above; though, as we have seen, they were afterwards admitted to command in the army.