PRAETORIAN PREFECTURE OF THE EAST

The 'praetorian prefecture of the East' or 'of Oriens' (Latin: praefectura praetorio Orientis, ) was one of four large praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided. As it comprised the larger part of the Eastern Roman Empire, and its seat was at Constantinople, the praetorian prefect was the second most powerful man in the East, after the Emperor, often serving as his first minister.

Contents

Structure

List of known Prefects

Structure

The Prefecture was established by Constantine the Great in 318, and was divided into five dioceses, each in turn comprising several provinces. The authority of the Prefecture stretched from the Eastern Balkans, grouped into the Diocese of Thrace, to Asia Minor, divided into the dioceses of Asiana and Pontus, and the Middle East, with the dioceses of Oriens and Egypt.

List of known Prefects

★ Maternus Cynegius (ca. 316)

★ Flavius Philippus (344-351)

★ Sallustius (361-363)

★ Flavius Eutolmius Tatianus (388-392)

★ Flavius Rufinus (392-395)

★ Flavius Caesarius (1st time, 395-397)

★ Flavius Eutychianus (397-399)

★ Aurelianus (1st time, 399-401)

★ Flavius Caesarius (2nd time, 401)

★ Aurelianus (2nd time, 402-404)

★ Flavius Anthemius (405-414)

★ Aurelianus (415-416)

★ Monaxius (416-420)

★ Isidorus (435-436)

★ Flavius Florentius (ca. 438)

★ Cyrus Panopolites (439-441)

★ Amasius (ca. 469)

★ Matronianus (491)

★ Hierius (494-496)

★ Euphemius (496)

★ Polycarpus (498)

★ Constantine (1st time, 502)

★ Appion (503)

★ Leontius (503-504)

★ Constantine (2nd time, 505)

★ Eustathius (505-506)

★ Zoticus (511-512)

★ Marinus (1st time, ca. 512)

★ Sergius (517)

★ Marinus (2nd time, 519)

★ Demosthenes (520-524)

★ John the Cappadocian (1st time, 531-532)

★ Phokas (533)

★ John the Cappadocian (2nd time, 533-540)