Roman dictator

The dictator in ancient Rome was a extraordinary magistracy which allowed a person to be chosen to save the Roman state, having supreme power for up to six months. He chose a Master of the Horse. Originally, he was in charge of the infantry, but as time went on, culminating with the dictatorship of Sulla, the office became increasingly similar to modern dictatorships. After Caesar was killed and Augustus ascended the "throne", the dictatorship was virtually abolished and no one held the title in Rome afterwards.