In Republican Rome, the consuls had the power to elect one person to be a dictator for six months. The original name of the office was magister populi ("master of the people"). The new dictator had to elect a "vice dictator" with the title of magister equitum ("master of the horse") . He was accompanied by six lictors as a sign of authority.

In the Renaissance noble courts, Master of Horse remained a position of high honor and at times power.