Dux 997023 224331526 2008-07-08T11:17:44Z R-41 1266754 /* Post-Roman uses */ {{For|the town in the Czech Republic, sometimes known by its German name Dux|Duchcov}} {{Unreferenced|date=November 2007}} {{wiktionarypar|dux}} {{Roman government}} '''''Dux''''' (plural: ''duces'') is [[Latin]] for ''leader'' (from the verb ''ducere'', 'to lead') and could refer to anyone who commanded troops, such as tribal leaders. ==Roman empire== In the Roman military, a Dux would be a general in charge of two or more legions. While the title of dux could refer to a [[Consul]] or [[Imperator]], it usually refers to the [[Roman Governor]] of the [[Roman province|provinces]]. As the governor, the dux was both the highest civil official as well as the commander-in-chief of the [[Roman legion|legions]] garrisoned within the province. However, during the time of the [[Dominate]], the powers as a dux were split from the role of the governor and were given to a new office called "Dux". The dux was still the highest military office within the province and commanded the legions, but the governor had to authorise the use of the dux's powers. But once authorised, the dux could act independently from the governor and handled all military matters. An example would be the [[Gallia Belgica|Dux per Gallia Belgica]] which was the Dux of the province of Gallia Belgica. Since Diocletian's [[Tetrarchy]] reform, the provinces were organized into [[dioceses]] each administered by a [[Vicarius]]. As with the Governors, the Vicarius was assisted by a Dux. This Dux was superior to all of other Duces within the dioceses and when the Vicarius called the legions of the dioceses into action, all of the legions were at the Dux's command. An example would be the Dux per Gallia which was the Dux of the Dioceses of [[Gaul]]. The office of Dux was, in turn, made subject to the [[Magister Militum]] of his respective [[Praetorian prefecture]], and above him to the [[Roman Emperor|Emperor]]. In the [[Byzantine Empire]], the position of ''[[Megas Doux]]'' survived until the final [[Fall of Constantinople]] in 1453. ==Post-Roman uses== [[King Arthur]], in one of his earliest literary appearances, is described as ''dux bellorum'' ("''dux'' of battles") among the kings of the [[Romano-British|Romano-Britons]] in their wars against the [[Anglo-Saxons]]. ''Dux'' is also the root of various high feudal noble titles of peerage rank, such as (via the French ''duc'') the English ''[[duke]]'', the [[Venetian language|Venetian]] ''[[doge]]'' and Italian ''[[duca]]'' and ''[[duce]]'' and the modern Greek [[ducas]] (δούκας). In schools in [[Scotland]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[South Africa]] and [[Iceland]], Dux is a modern title given to the top student in academic and sporting achievement (''Dux Litterarum'' and ''Dux Ludorum'' respectively) in each graduating year. In this usage, Dux is similar to the American concept of a [[valedictorian]]. The runner up may be given the title ''Proxime Accessit'' (meaning "he came next") or ''Semidux''. Italian Fascist dictator [[Benito Mussolini]] used the title of ''Dux'' (and ''[[Duce]]'' in Italian) to represent his leadership. ==Sources and references== *[[Pauly-Wissowa]] {{Ancient Rome topics}} [[Category:Ancient Roman titles]] [[Category:Latin words and phrases]] [[Category:Military ranks of ancient Rome]] [[de:Dux (Titel)]] [[hu:Dux]] [[it:Duce (storia romana)]] [[ja:ドゥクス]] [[no:Dux]] [[pl:Dux]] [[pt:Dux]] [[fi:Dux]] [[tr:Dux]]