The word legate is a derivative of the Latin word legatus, which means “delegate, prescribe, appoint 2. It has four meanings. In ancient Rome, it is a messenger of the senate and a representative to the commander of the legion. In Roman law, it is a gift specified in a will, which is deducted from its total amount. In the Vatican - the pope’s envoy for a certain period of time necessary to carry out the assignment. In addition, Legat is a surname of Swedish origin. There are also derivatives from this word, for example, a delegation.
Legate in Ancient Rome
When we hear the word legate, an association with Ancient Rome arises. This word is really of Roman origin, which was borrowed by other peoples.
I want to emphasize one important point - this word in the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire was of a different nature. In principle, its value does not change. It depended on the form of the state, the characteristic features of the republic and the empire. During the empire, other territories were annexed to Rome, the vast majority by military means. They were provinces ruled by the governor; a legate was sent to help him. In ancient Rome, the concept had three meanings, we consider them in more detail.
In the days of the Roman Republic
In the days of the Roman Republic, the legate is an ambassador in his modern sense. This is a representative of the Senate, who on his behalf could speak to other peoples and states. He must have participated in a declaration of war or the conclusion of peace and other important events.
Appointed from deputies on the proposal of generals (the highest magistrate). It was impossible to refuse this order. The national assembly did not participate in this process. Act 64 BC e. it was established that the Roman legate was necessarily a senator, but he could not be the magistrate, whom the people elected for a period of 1 year. Although there were exceptions when the legate was not a senator.
In the days of the Roman Empire
In the Roman Empire, legates were appointed by the senate to both conquered provinces and legions. Their functions remained practically unchanged. Not only one legate was sent to the governor in the province, sometimes three, in exceptional cases, their number could reach 25. They did not have any insignia (insignia), but they were assigned liqueurs (employees, assistants), the number of which was regulated.
The Senate sent them to the legions or to the governor with certain tasks, when it was completed it was necessary to provide a report on the work performed, notes of the legate. Under the military legions, they played the role of advisers and were members of the council of generals; if necessary, they could temporarily fulfill their functions.
In Roman law
In the law of ancient Rome, there was such a thing as legate, which later became part of the laws of all civilized countries, it concerned inheritance and people (legataries) who had passive testamentary ability, that is, they were not direct heirs, but distant relatives, friends, people, who had certain merits before the testator and so on.
The legator received his part, a valuable thing after paying all the debts of the testator and deducting them from the inheritance itself. Only after this the remaining share of the inheritance was received directly by the heirs. It follows from this that the legate is a special instruction on the transfer to the legate of the thing agreed upon in the will, hereditary obligations. He was not to prevent the heirs from receiving a will.
In the Vatican
There is such a thing as a papal legate. This is the envoy of the Vatican, personally the pope in any country with certain assignments. His term of office may be limited by the time during which it is necessary to execute this order. He is sent to the monarch, to the government, parliament of the country, simply to the community of believers as the organizer or participant of a church festival, event. Assigned directly by dad. This tradition dates back to the VI century. The legate does not solve diplomatic issues, unlike the nuncio (ambassador), it is sent only to carry out a specific task.
