potestas
Roman paternal authority
Potestas is a Latin term meaning power, authority, or legal capacity.
In Roman law, it referred specifically to the authority held by a father over his household (*patria potestas*) or by a magistrate over citizens.
The word appears in legal, historical, and philosophical contexts discussing different types of power: The emperor's potestas extended throughout the realm.
It contrasts with *auctoritas*, which denotes influence or prestige rather than formal power.
Authority to rule
- masteryComplete skill or control
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
administration · management · direction · command · stewardship · custody · charge · handling
Absolute ruling power
- auctoritasInformal power from reputation
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
mandate · governance · legitimacy · magistracy · consulship · tribunate · censorship · fasces
Forelimb extremity, anatomically
- tutelaLegal guardianship authority
- guardianshipLegal care of another
- custodyProtective care or control
- ownershipLegal right of possession
possession · right · capacity · competence · standing · emancipation · adoption · manumission
dominion
Authority to rule
- masteryComplete skill or control
- regulationOfficial rules governing conduct
- supervisionOverseeing people or processes
oversight · administration · management · direction · command · stewardship · custody · charge · handling · guardianship
imperium
Absolute ruling power
- auctoritasInformal power from reputation
- jurisdictionLegal authority's scope
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
command · mandate · governance · legitimacy · magistracy · consulship · tribunate · censorship · fasces · scepter
manus
Forelimb extremity, anatomically
- tutelaLegal guardianship authority
- guardianshipLegal care of another
- custodyProtective care or control
ownership · possession · right · capacity · competence · standing · emancipation · adoption · manumission · succession
ability
Power to do something
strength · force · efficacy · virtue · influence · agency · means · resource · opportunity · liberty
- standingstanding, status, stature, reputation, position
- Roman LawRoman law, Corpus Juris Civilis, Justinian Code, Twelve Tables, Digest
potestassubjection
State of being controlled
manus · slavery · bondage · subjugation · thralldom
potestaspowerlessness
Inability to affect outcomes
incapacity · helplessness · weakness · inability · disability
- patria potestasFather's power over family
potential, potent, impotent, potency, potentate, omnipotent, potentiality, pluripotent