CULTURA E RELIGIONE DEI PREFETTI AL PRETORIO: ALCUNI CASI SIGNIFICATIVI DEL IV SECOLO IN OCCIDENTE

The contribution examines several praetorian prefects of the Western part of the Empire from 340 up to the end of the 4th century, with the aim of verifying from which social class they came, which religion they professed and whether they came to hold this administration because they had specific competences. The analysis shows that the emperors Constans and Constantius II preferred men loyal to the dynasty who came from the emerging urban classes. Around 347, aristocrats, as Vulcacius Rufinus, also became praetorian prefects. Most of them were pagans, but apart from the case of Caecilianus Placidus, they were tolerant towards Christians. Their faith was not a discriminating factor in their ability to advance to the praetorian prefecture and the consulate, which was almost always held during that tenure. Especially during the reign of the Valentinians, some people who had started as simple notarii reached the praetorian prefecture in the West after having held prestigious offices at Court (as magistri officiorum or in the financial comitivae). The case of the prefect Theodorus, advocatus in the praetorian prefect’s court, is emblematic. He pursued a very rapid cursus by virtue of a high administrative preparation and a philosophical-rhetorical culture similar to that of the great aristocrats. By the end of the 4th century, the faith of the praetorian prefects from high court offices was predominantly Christian.