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Roman emperor

Diktat

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In the German language Diktat corresponds to the English word dictation, meaning text for audio transcription, from the Latin root word for dictation.  Diktat in German is also used to describe conditions imposed by a political or military victor, and the best known example of a Diktat is the set of  conditions and reparation obligations unilaterally set for Germany in 1919 by the victor nations in the Treaty of Versailles at the end  of the First World War.

In English a diktat is a rigid rule that must be obeyed, or the issuing of such rules. A government which rules by diktat simply issues executive decrees rather than using a parliamentary process or legislation. In English diktat has also become a pejorative and even mocking term for any dogmatic statement or attempt at control by decree.