Definition: Praetors were Roman magistrates with imperium who issued the annual edicts. The praetor urbanus (city praetor) originally had a military function, but became a civil judge. In 241 B.C. a second praetor (praetor peregrinus) was added to deal with cases involving foreigners. By 80 B.C., there were 8 praetors; by the reign of Tiberius, 16. During the Empire, the praetors, who had reduced responsibility, were in charge of the festivals and games.
Praetors were annually elected by the comitia centuriata. Running for praetor was part of the cursus honorum and was second only to the position of consul. Like the other magistracies, being a praetor made the magistrate a member of the senate. The signs of power showing the praetor had imperium were the toga praetextata and the praetor's 6 lictors. See: Regular Magistracies of the Roman Republic
Praetors were annually elected by the comitia centuriata. Running for praetor was part of the cursus honorum and was second only to the position of consul. Like the other magistracies, being a praetor made the magistrate a member of the senate. The signs of power showing the praetor had imperium were the toga praetextata and the praetor's 6 lictors. See: Regular Magistracies of the Roman Republic
Examples: "Praetors and ex-praetors could expect important and sometimes lucrative provincial assignments." P. 163, The Last Generation of the Roman Republic, by Erich S. Gruen.
