Legatus Legionis
The commander of a Roman legion, a senator appointed by the emperor, general officer of the ancient world.
Overview
The legatus legionis commanded a legion of roughly five thousand legionaries, appointed by the emperor from the senatorial class, usually after service as tribune and praetor. Under the empire the legion was the fundamental unit of power, and its legate a political as well as military figure, often going on to govern a province. The rank corresponds to a modern major general in scope, OF-7 in modern NATO terms. Famous legates include the future emperor Vespasian in Britain and Titus at Jerusalem. The office ended with the legion system of the late empire, but its memory shaped every later generalship concept.
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