proconsul (redirected from proconsulship)

Proconsul, in zoology

Proconsul, extinct group of apes, now considered a subgroup of Dryopithecus. Proconsul fossils have been discovered in E Africa. It is a probable ancestor of the chimpanzee and lived from 12 to 25 million years ago.

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proconsul, in ancient Rome

proconsul, in ancient Rome, governor of a province. He was in sole charge of the army, of justice, and of administration in his province and could not be prosecuted for maladministration until his office expired. In modern times the title has sometimes been used for a colonial governor with far-reaching powers.

Bibliography

See W. M. Jashemski, The Origin and History of the Proconsular and the Propraetorian Imperium to 27 B.C. (1950).

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proconsul

In the ancient Roman republic, a consul whose powers had been extended for a definite period beyond his regular one-year term. These extensions were necessitated by such events as long periods of war. The extension of a chief magistrate's term was originally voted by the people, but the power was soon assumed by the Senate. Provincial governors were usually magistrates whose terms had been extended. Under the empire (after 27 BC), governors of senatorial provinces were called proconsuls.