Magister
A Latin word very generally applied to any person who has command or authority as the chief
over a number of others. The following are the principal officials and others who were styled
magistri:
1.
Magister Admissiōnum. See
Admissio.
2.
Magister Bibendi. See
Symposium.
3.
Magister a Censĭbus. An official who examined the
qualifications of candidates for enrolment among the
equites.
4.
Magister Collegii. The presiding officer of a
collegium (q. v.).
5.
Magister Epistolārum or ab
Epistŏlis. The emperor's private secretary (Orelli,
Inscr.
2352).
6.
Magister Equĭtum. The assistant to the Roman dictator
appointed by him immediately on taking office and bound to obey him in everything implicitly.
In the absence of the dictator he acted as his representative. In battle he commanded the
cavalry, as the dictator did the infantry, whence his peculiar title. He was attended by six
lictors, and had the
sella curulis and the
praetexta. See
Dictator.
7.
Magister Libellōrum or a
Libellis. A clerk or secretary who read and replied to petitions (
libelli) addressed to the emperor.
8.
Magister Memoriae. An official who made known the emperor's
pleasure on any subject (Ammian. Marc. xv. 5).
9.
Magister Milĭtum. The title of two officers under
Constantine. They had command of all the imperial forces, one taking charge of the infantry
and one of the cavalry. Later, their number was increased and their functions modified
(Zosim. ii. 33; iv. 27).
10.
Magister Officiōrum. See
Admissio.
11.
Magister Pagi. See
Pagus.
12.
Magister Popŭli. See
Dictator.
13.
Magister a Rationĭbus, also called
procurator. One who had charge of the emperor's private expenses. See
Fiscus.
14.
Magister Societātis. See Societas.
15.
Magister Vicōrum. See
Vicus.
