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legaten

Legaten is a term used in several languages to denote individuals authorized to act on behalf of a higher authority. The concept covers envoys, ambassadors, and deputies who exercise delegated power in diplomacy, governance, or religious affairs. The historical roots are in the Latin word legatus, with legatus plural legati in classical Latin; in Dutch the plural form legaten is common. In English, the generic idea is captured by legate or legates, depending on context.

In the Roman world, legati served as high-ranking officials who represented the emperor or the state. A

In the ecclesiastical and diplomatic spheres, legates functioned as representatives of a higher authority. Papal legates,

Today, the term is largely historical or ceremonial outside these specific traditions. It remains in use in

legatus
Augusti
pro
praetore
governed
a
province
on
behalf
of
the
emperor,
while
a
legatus
legionis
commanded
a
legion
and
acted
with
imperium.
These
roles
placed
legati
at
the
core
of
provincial
administration
and
military
command,
often
filled
by
former
praetors
or
consuls.
for
example,
acted
as
envoys
of
the
pope
to
foreign
rulers
or
to
church
councils,
with
varying
degrees
of
authority,
such
as
legatus
a
latere
(a
legate
attached
to
the
person
of
the
pope)
or
other
delegated
roles
used
for
negotiations
and
diplomacy.
The
concept
also
appears
in
secular
diplomacy,
where
legates
served
as
authorized
negotiators
or
ambassadors
of
a
sovereign.
descriptions
of
papal
diplomacy
or
in
discussions
of
ancient
Roman
administration,
where
legates
are
key
examples
of
delegated
representation
and
authority.
See
also:
envoy,
ambassador,
nuncio.