Magister militum ("Master of the Soldiers") was a rank used in the later Roman Empire dating from the reign of Constantine. Used alone, it refers to the senior military officer (equivalent to a shogun or generalissimo) of the Empire. The Magister Militum was usually the power behind the throne and the office was held by Stilicho, Ricimer, Odoacer and others.

The title was often used with a provincial name, such as the Magister militum per Thracias ("Master of the Soldiers of Thrace"), to indicate the commanding general of a region.

Compare the usage "patricius" in the Late Empire.

List of Magistri Militum

• Flavius Bauto
• 389-394: Arbogast
• 394-408: Flavius Stilicho
• 410s-421: Flavius Constantinus
• 433-454: Flavius Aetius
• 455: Marcus Maecilius Flavius Eparchius Avitus
• 455-472: Ricimer
• 472-473: Gundobad
• 475-476: Flavius Orestes

per Gallias

• 425-433: Flavius Aetius
• 450s-464: Aegidius

per Illyricum

• 530-536: Mundus

per Oriens

• 460s-471: Flavius Ardabur Aspar
• 483-488: Flavius Theodoricus
• c.503-505: Areobindus Dagalaiphus Areobindus

Military ranks of Ancient Rome | Ancient Roman titles | Positions of authority

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