Magister militum
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 of the Empire, and was held by
Stilicho,
Ricimer,
Odoacer and others. It was also often used with a provincial name, such as the
Magister militum per Thracias, to indicate a regional position.