Présences menaçantes et loyauté absolue : les préfets du prétoire du IIe au IVe s. apr. J.-C.
Abstract
The praetorian prefecture underwent a remarkable ‘metamorphosis’ in its functions between the Principate (first to third centuries) and the Late Empire (fourth to sixth centuries). The original (equestrian) function alongside the emperor of commanding elite troops was transformed into a (senatorial) function of administrative supervision (without any military power) of very large diocesan and provincial districts. This process led to a profound change in the relationship between the praetorian prefects and the Augusti who appointed them: from mutual distrust to absolute loyalty.
Presentato: 15 Dicembre 2022 | Accettato: 30 Marzo 2023 | Pubblicato 05 Dicembre 2025 | Lingua: fr
Keywords Roman Principate • Roman emperors • Late Roman Empire • Praetorian prefects • Imperial administration
Copyright © 2025 Pierfrancesco Porena. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/CG/9999-8882/2025/01/008