"Legatus" Pronounce,Meaning And Examples

"Legatus" Meaning

Legatus is a noun that refers to a high-ranking Roman military officer or a Roman governor or ambassador. The term is often used to describe a Roman legion's commander or a representative of the Roman state, particularly in foreign affairs.

"Legatus" Examples

Legatus


A legatus is a high-ranking military officer in the Roman army, equivalent to a modern-day general or admiral. Here are 5 usage examples:

Example 1: Historical Context

The legatus was appointed by the Roman Senate to lead the Legions V and XIII during the campaigns in Gaul. (Source: Livy, "Ab Urbe Condita")

Example 2: Description

Titus Flavius Vespasianus, a legatus of the 2nd Augustan Legion, was a skilled tactician who played a crucial role in the Roman victory at the Battle of Cremona. (Source: Plutarch, "Vespasian")

Example 3: Literary Usage

In his epic poem, "The Aeneid", Virgil describes the legatus, Publius Vulosus, as a brave warrior who fought alongside Aeneas during the Trojan War.

Example 4: Modern Reference

The term "legatus" is still used in modern times to describe high-ranking military officers, such as the Legatus Legionis, a rank equivalent to a US Army general.

Example 5: Etymology

The Latin word "legatus" is believed to have originated from the verb "legere", meaning "to choose" or "to select". This is reflected in the English word "legate", which means a representative or delegate, often used in a diplomatic or ecclesiastical context.