What is the Latin term for 'judge' in the context of Roman society?

The Latin term for 'judge' in the context of Roman society is "iudex." This term specifically refers to an individual appointed to preside over legal proceedings and make determinations in court cases. In ancient Rome, the role of the iudex was crucial as they were responsible for interpreting laws and delivering judgments in civil cases.

While the other terms are related to Roman judicial and political life, they denote different roles. "Praetor" refers to an elected magistrate who had the authority to oversee civil and criminal legal matters and could appoint judges for cases, but they themselves were not termed 'judge' in the same sense as an iudex. "Consul" pertains to one of the highest elected political officials in the Roman Republic, overseeing the government and military rather than specific legal judgments. "Arbitrum," meanwhile, is associated with an arbiter, a person chosen to settle disputes or judgments, but again does not carry the same direct connotation as a 'judge' in the legal system context. Therefore, iudex most accurately reflects the role of 'judge' within Roman society.