Search
Proconsul
PROCONSUL (prō'kŏn-sŭl, Gr. anthypatos). A Roman official, generally of praetorian or consular rank, who served as deputy consul in the Roman provinces. The term of office was one year, though it could be longer in special instances, but the powers of the proconsul were unlimited in both the military and civil areas. Sergius Paulus, Paul’s famous convert (
PROCONSUL (Lat. pro consule, in the place of a consul). Title of Rom. provincial governor (see also Province).
Under the Rom. system of provincial administration, the authority of a consul might be extended after the expiration of his term of office, usually to allow him to serve as the governor of a province. It was seldom that this duty was performed by a magistrate in office, esp. in the later Rom. republic. Under the emperors, the title was used generally to designate provincial governors regardless of whether they were ex-consuls or ex-praetors.
Acts mentions two proconsuls: Sergius Paulus (
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)
(anthupatos (
See Province.