In [[ancient Rome]], '''''Imperiumimperium''''' was a form of authority held by a [[Roman citizenship|citizen]] to control a military or governmental entity. It is distinct from ''[[auctoritas]]'' and ''[[potestas]]'', different and generally inferior types of power in the [[Roman Republic]] and [[Roman Empire|Empire]]. One's ''imperium'' could be over a specific [[Roman legion|military unit]], or it could be over a [[Roman province|province or territory]]. Individuals given such power were referred to as curule [[Roman magistrate|magistrates]] or [[promagistrate]]s. These included the curule [[aedile]], the [[praetor]], the [[Roman consul|consul]], the [[magister equitum]], and the [[Roman dictator|dictator]]. In a general sense, ''imperium'' was the scope of someone's power, and could include anything, such as public office, commerce, political influence, or wealth.
