Auctoritas

Auctoritas is a Roman concept of value and played a significant role in the politics of the Roman Republic (and thereafter). The best description is "dignity", "view ", " influence". The auctoritas looked everywhere as regulatory basis for decisions where no legal provisions were available. Auctoritas could get both individuals and a collective. Here should be mentioned, among others, the senatus auctoritas of the Roman Senate.

Especially in a hierarchical, highly meritocratic society shaped like the Roman of auctoritas was of great importance. A characteristic of this is that without a formal legal authorization policy decisions " suggested " were and this " advice" were accepted in most cases. auctoritas was therefore important for the legitimacy of political and social action. So wrote Augustus, the first Emperor, in his deeds report on the basis of his power: " After this time [ 27 BC ] I surpassed in prestige / influence [ auctoritas ] all, of formal power [ potestas ] However, I no longer had than the others, each of which was my colleague in the office " (Res Gestae 34). Although this statement was factually incorrect as Augustus and the later emperor well also formally possessed exceptional powers that raise it above all other officials. Nevertheless, the concept of auctoritas is at the center of the Prinzipatsideologie.

The concept of auctoritas was also used in medieval times. For him the word of authority developed in German.