Praetor, << PREE tuhr, >> was the chief legal officer of ancient Rome. Citizens brought complaints before the praetor. The praetor decided which complaints were justified and assigned them to judges for trial. When taking office, a praetor issued an edict (public order) stating how the law would be interpreted in granting trials. Each new praetor generally copied or improved upon the successful edicts of earlier praetors. In that way, praetors helped to build the Roman legal system, which in turn influenced many of the legal systems used today. Praetors also served as governors of Roman provinces, and later they presided over criminal courts.
The office of praetor was created in 367 B.C. The number of praetors was increased to two in 242 B.C., and eventually increased to 16.
