a Dictator, who should possess supreme power, but whose tenure of
office could never exceed six months. In later times Dictators were
not appointed, but Consuls were invested with the authority if it was
thought necessary. Sulla and Caesar, however, revived the office, but
changed its tenure, the latter holding it for life.


MAGISTER EQUITUM.

This was an officer appointed by the Dictator, to stand next in
authority to him, and act as a sort of Vice-Dictator.


PONTIFICES.

The priests formed a body (_collegium_) of fifteen members, at
the head of whom was the Pontifex Maximus (high priest). Their tenure
of office was for life, and they were responsible to no one in the
discharge of their duties. Their influence was necessarily very great.


IMPERIUM.

This was a power to command the armies, and to exercise judicial
functions conferred upon a magistrate (Dictator, Consul, or Praetor)
by a special law passed by the Comitia Curiáta. The _Imperium_
could be exercised only outside of the city walls (_pomoerium_),
except by special permission of the Senate for the purpose of
celebrating a triumph. The one receiving the _Imperium_ was
called IMPERATOR.