this post was submitted on 24 Jul 2025
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Ah, yes... the Praetorian 'implication'... (infosec.pub)
submitted 3 weeks ago by PugJesus@lemmy.world to c/historymemes@lemmy.world
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[–] PugJesus@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

This isn't the case, I'm afraid. The term 'Imperator' actually predates even Caesar, and was both a specific title (to be acclaimed Imperator by one's troops was an honor) and a generic term (one could call one's commander 'Imperator' when addressing him without implying the victory title). Augustus, the first Emperor, took proconsular imperium, making him imperator of all the forces of Rome - in addition, the victory title of 'Imperator' was increasingly only recognized for members of the imperial family, with other generals accepting it being seen as an act of usurpation, making the victory title increasingly associated with the Emperor.

The Emperors could definitely not legally order the death of anybody in the Empire. Hence why things like treason trials were so important.