[AURELIUS ARCADIUS CHARISIUS magister libellorum libro singulari de officio praefecti praetorio. ] §1.11.1.prBreuiter commemorare necesse est, unde constituendi praefectorum praetorio offici origo manauerit.
[AURELIUS ARCADIUS CHARISIUS, Master of Petitions, in his single book On the Office of the Praetorian Prefect.] It is necessary to briefly recount from where the origin of establishing the office of praetorian prefects flowed.
ad uicem magistri equitum praefectos praetorio antiquitus institutos esse a quibusdam scriptoribus traditum est.
It is recorded by certain writers that the praetorian prefects were established in antiquity in the place of the master of the horse.
nam cum apud ueteres dictatoribus ad tempus summa potestas crederetur et magistros equitum sibi eligerent, qui adsociati participales curae ad militiae gratia secundam post eos potestatem gererent: regimentis rei publicae ad imperatores perpetuos translatis ad similitudinem magistrorum equitum praefecti praetorio a principibus electi sunt.
For whereas among the ancients supreme power was entrusted for a time to dictators, and they chose for themselves masters of the horse, who, associated as partners in their concern for military affairs, held the second authority after them: once the governance of the state was transferred to perpetual emperors, the praetorian prefects were chosen by the emperors in the likeness of the masters of the horse.
data est plenior eis licentia ad disciplinae publicae emendationem.
A fuller power was granted to them for the correction of public discipline.
§1.11.1.1His cunabulis praefectorum auctoritas initiata in tantum meruit augeri, ut appellari a praefectis praetorio non possit.
Initiated with these cradle beginnings, the authority of the prefects deserved to be increased to such an extent that no appeal can be made from the praetorian prefects.
nam cum ante quaesitum fuisset, an liceret a praefectis praetorio appellare et iure liceret et extarent exempla eorum qui prouocauerint: postea publice sententia principali lecta appellandi facultas interdicta est.
For whereas it had previously been questioned whether it was permitted to appeal from the praetorian prefects, and it was permitted by law, and there existed examples of those who had appealed: afterwards, upon the public reading of an imperial opinion, the capacity of appealing was forbidden.
credidit enim princeps eos, qui ob singularem industriam explorata eorum fide et grauitate ad huius officii magnitudinem adhibentur, non aliter iudicaturos esse pro sapientia ac luce dignitatis suae, quam ipse foret iudicaturus.
For the emperor believed that those who, on account of their singular industry, and with their loyalty and weightiness thoroughly tested, are admitted to the greatness of this office, would, in accordance with their wisdom and the light of their dignity, judge no differently than he himself would judge.
§1.11.1.2Subnixi sunt etiam alio priuilegio praefecti praetorio, ne a sententiis eorum minores aetate ab aliis magistratibus nisi ab ipsis praefectis praetorio restitui possint.
The praetorian prefects are also supported by another privilege, namely, that minors cannot be restored from their judgments by other magistrates, but only by the praetorian prefects themselves.