Legatus Augusti pro praetore
A legatus Augusti pro praetore was the official title of the governor or general of some imperial provinces of the Roman Empire during the Principate era, normally the larger ones or those where legions were based. Provinces were denoted imperial if their governor was selected by the emperor, in contrast to senatorial provinces, whose governors were elected by the Roman Senate.
A legatus Augusti was always a senator of consular or praetorian rank. However, the position of the governor of Egypt was unparalleled, for though an eques he had legions under his command. Some smaller imperial provinces where no legions were based were administered by equestrian praefecti later designated procuratores who commanded only auxiliary forces. The legatus Augusti was both the head of the provincial administration, chief judicial officer and commander-in-chief of all military forces based in the province. The only function outside the remit of the legatus was finance, which was handled by an independent procurator, who reported direct to the emperor.
In the military hierarchy, the legatus ' direct subordinates were the legati legionis, who in turn commanded the tribuni militum and the praefecti of the auxiliary regiments attached to the legion.
In AD 68, 15 out of a total of 36 provinces were ruled by legati Augusti: Hispania Tarraconensis, Lusitania, Gallia Aquitania, Gallia Lugdunensis, Gallia Belgica, Britannia, Germania Inferior, Germania Superior, Moesia, Dalmatia, Galatia, Cappadocia, Lycia et Pamphylia, Syria and Numidia.Citations
