Note 339 — Chapter II · THE GROWTH OF THE REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION

The title was, perhaps, originally praetor. This would naturally have been the case if Mommsen’s theory is right that they were regarded as superior colleagues of the consuls (Staatsr. ii. p. 153). The earliest official title known to us is magister populi, and it was the technical title in the augural books. Cic. de Leg. iii. 3, 9 “isque ave sinistra dictus populi magister esto.” Cf. de Rep. i. 40, 63 “Gravioribus vero bellis etiam sine collega omne imperium nostri penes singulos esse voluerunt, quorum ipsum nomen vim suae potestatis indicat. Nam dictator quidem ab eo appellatur quia dicitur; sed in nostris libris vides eum, Laeli, magistrum populi appellari.” The later title, dictator, was perhaps adopted in deference to Republican sentiment; Mommsen (Staatsr. ii. p. 145) conjectures, in imitation of the Latin dictator, a constitutional survival of the monarchy. The meaning of the word is wholly uncertain. Ancient guesses say (i.) from dicitur (Cic. de Rep. l.c.); (ii) from dicto audiens (Varro L.L. v. 81 “quoi dicto audientes omnes essent”); (iii.) from dictare (Priscian viii. 14, 78), or (iv.) because they issued edicts (Dionys. v. 73).