Praetor
When the Romans deposed their last king, the power of the king or imperium was given to the consuls, except for the judicial power, which was given to the praetor.
Thus, the praetor urbanus (city praetor) originally had a military function, but became a civil judge. In 241 B.C. a second praetor (praetor peregrinus) was added to deal with cases involving foreigners. By 80 B.C., there were 8 praetors. During the Empire, the praetors had charge of the festivals and games.
Praetors were annually elected by the comitia centuriata.
The position of praetor was part of the cursus honorum, second only to the position of consul. Like the other magistracies, being a praetor made the magistrate a member of the senate for life, unless the censor decided otherwise.