office
Praefectus Praetorio
the praetorian prefect
also: praefectus, the prefect
The commander of the praetorian guard, the emperor's chief military deputy; Pliny alludes to Trajan's famous act of handing the prefect a sword, to be used for him if he ruled well, against him if ill.
Reading notes
- Panegyric to Trajan §67 the prefect's hand
The praetorian prefect, commander of the imperial guard; Pliny alludes to Trajan's celebrated act of handing him a drawn sword with the words 'use it for me if I rule rightly, against me if otherwise.'