Praetorian Prefect


Praetorian Prefect

 

(Latin praefectus praetorio), in ancient Rome:

(1) The commander of the Praetorian Guard. The position of praetorian prefect was introduced during the rule of Augustus at the end of the first century B.C. Praetorian prefects were appointed from among the equites. Until the third century A.D., there were two praetorian prefects, later, only one. Some of them became powerful favorites, for example, Sejanus under the emperor Tiberius. The position was abolished during the reign of Constantine I at the beginning of the fourth century.

(2) The highest civilian position in a prefecture.