A more thorough explanation:

Definition: Imperium is a Latin term used in Roman law to describe power or dominion. It refers to the legal authority held by superior magistrates during the Roman Republic and later by the emperor during the Roman Empire. Imperium includes the right of military command, corporal punishment, and the power of life and death over citizens. It was symbolized by the lictors who carried the fasces and an ax.

Imperium was also used in different contexts under Roman law. For example, imperium domesticum described the power of the head of a household. Imperium merum referred to a higher magistrate's power to use force to repress crime, while imperium mixtum described a magistrate's authority to make and enforce decisions in civil and criminal matters.

Example: During the Roman Republic, the consuls held imperium, which gave them the power to command the army and make important decisions. They were also allowed to punish citizens, including the power of life and death. The lictors who accompanied them carried the fasces and an ax, which symbolized their authority.

Explanation: This example illustrates how imperium was used in the context of the Roman Republic. The consuls held imperium, which gave them significant power and authority over the citizens. The lictors who accompanied them carried the fasces and an ax, which symbolized their power to punish and execute citizens. This example shows how imperium was a crucial concept in Roman law and governance.