In origin this word means ‘the man who goes before (the army),’ prae-itor, ‘the general,’ and was applied to the chief magistrates of Rome, when the kingdom gave place to the republic. On the appointment (367 b.c.) of two extra officials to look after the legal business of the Roman State, the name praetor was given to them, and a new name consul was given to the chief magistrates. The same Greek equivalent, στρατηγός (‘general’), was used for praetor always, though the duties had changed. The praetors of Acts 16:20 ff. are the chief magistrates of Philippi, a Roman colonia. It is not impossible that praetores was their official title, but it is generally believed that in their case it was merely honorary (see under Magistrate). See W. M. Ramsay in JThSt_ i. [1899-1900] 114 ff.
A. Souter.