dictators
- Scope note
- Officials of ancient Rome and later Italian states who were elected in times of crisis and invested with absolute authority for the duration of the emergency. In modern usage, rulers who exercise absolute, unrestricted power over the government of a nation or state. It often refers to non-hereditary rulers. For ancient Greek rulers, or modern rulers who exercise their power cruelly, oppressively, or unjustly, see "tyrants."
- Date of creation: 18-Nov-2024
Accepted term: 18-Nov-2024