mandata

In ancient Roman law, mandata were instructions or directives issued by Roman emperors to their subordinates, particularly provincial governors. These mandata were a form of imperial legislation, alongside edicts, rescripts, and decrees. The concept of a mandate, meaning a command or authorization, is also seen in the term mandamus, a writ used in English law to compel an official to perform a specific duty. While mandata were specific to Roman imperial administration, the broader idea of a directive or instruction is a fundamental aspect of legal and administrative systems.12