Legal Definitions - magister

The term magister is a Latin word that historically referred to a master, a superior individual, or a teacher, particularly someone who held a position of authority or had achieved significant expertise in a specific field. In various legal and administrative contexts, a magister was an individual designated with specialized leadership, instructional, or managerial responsibilities.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of this term:

• Imagine a high-ranking official in a Roman province who was responsible for overseeing the entire public works department, including the construction and maintenance of roads, aqueducts, and public buildings. This individual would have been considered the magister of public works.

  This example illustrates the "superior by office or position" aspect of magister, as the official held ultimate authority and directed the activities of a significant administrative department.

• Consider a renowned legal scholar in ancient Rome who dedicated their life to studying and interpreting complex laws. This scholar regularly held lectures and discussions, guiding aspiring lawyers and judges through intricate legal principles and precedents, effectively shaping their understanding of justice.

  Here, the scholar functions as a magister in the sense of being a teacher and an eminent expert in the field of law, imparting specialized knowledge to others.

• In a historical scenario involving a large trading company, a specific individual might have been appointed to manage all aspects of a particular overseas expedition, from chartering the ship and hiring the crew to overseeing the cargo and negotiating trade deals upon arrival. This person was the ultimate authority for that specific venture.

  This demonstrates magister as a person who directs or controls a specific operation or enterprise, acting as the master or manager of the expedition.