Group

Italy, Praetorian prefecture of

Bloc Defunct 337 CE – 476 CE Capital Rome > Roma Lazio Italy

The praetorian prefecture of Italy (Latin: praefectura praetorio Italiae, in its full form (until 356) praefectura praetorio Italiae, Illyrici et Africae) is one of four Praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided.

It comprises the Italian peninsula, the Western Balkans, the Danubian provinces and parts of North Africa.

The Prefecture's seat moves from Rome to Milan and finally, Ravenna.The prefecture is established in the division of the Empire after the death of Constantine the Great in 337, and is divided into dioceses.

Initially these are the Diocese of Africa, the Diocese of Italy, the Diocese of Pannonia, the Diocese of Dacia and the Diocese of Macedonia (the last two had been until c. 327 united in the Diocese of Moesia).

Eventually the Diocese of Italy is split in two, the Diocese of Suburbicarian Italy (Italia suburbicaria: "Italy under the City", also referred to as "Diocese of the City of Rome") and the Diocese of Annonarian Italy (Italia annonaria: "provisioning Italy").In 356, the praetorian prefecture of Illyricum is established, comprising the dioceses of Pannonia, Dacia and Macedonia.

The new prefecture is abolished in 361 by Julian and reestablished in 375 by Gratian.

Its territory is contested between the two halves of the Empire, until the final partition in 395, when the Diocese of Pannonia is split off from the Illyricum and joined to the Western Empire and the prefecture of Italy as the Diocese of Illyricum.

Member Cities

Moran, J. (n.d.). Italy, Praetorian prefecture of. History Atlas. Retrieved 12 October 2026, from https://www.historyatlas.com/groups/italy-praetorian-prefecture-of/

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