Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum

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Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum
Praefectura praetorio per Illyricum
Ἐπαρχότης Ἰλλυρικοῦ
Praet. prefecture of the East Roman Empire
357–7th century
Location of Prefecture of Illyricum
The praetorian prefecture of Illyricum (375-379)
Capital Sirmium, later Thessalonica
Historical era Late Antiquity
 -  Established 357
 -  loss of most of Illyricum to Slavic incursions 7th century
Political subdivisions Diocese of Macedonia
Diocese of Dacia
Diocese of Pannonia (until 379)

The praetorian prefecture of Illyricum (Latin: praefectura praetorio per Illyricum, Greek: ἐπαρχότης/ὑπαρχία [τῶν πραιτωρίων] τοῦ Ἰλλυρικοῦ, also termed simply the Prefecture of Illyricum) was one of four praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided.


Administrative history[edit]

Unlike the other three "classical" prefectures that are mentioned in the Notitia Dignitatum (Gaul, Italy-Africa and the East), the early administrative history of Illyricum as a prefecture during the 4th century was a matter of it being abolished, re-established and divided several times.[3]

Initially the territories comprising the later prefecture belonged to the central Prefecture of Italy, Illyricum and Africa, when it was established in 337 following the division of the Empire among the sons of Constantine the Great. It seems that the three dioceses of Macedonia, Dacia and Pannonia were first grouped together in a separate praetorian prefecture in 347 by Constans from the prefecture of Italy and Africa.

It remained in existence until 361, when it was abolished by emperor Julian, and then existed again from 375-379 under Gratian.[4] In that year the Diocese of Pannonia (Illyricum occidentale, "Western Illyricum") was again added to Italy as the "Diocese of Illyricum", while Macedonia and Dacia (Illyricum orientale, "Eastern Illyricum") were ruled briefly directly by Theodosius I from Thessalonica.[5] During the years (384-395) they too were incorporated in the Italian prefecture, except a short period in 388-391, when the two dioceses formed a separate prefecture.[4]

Praetorian Prefectures of the Roman Empire (375-379)

Only after the death of Theodosius in 395 and the permanent division of the Empire did the Illyricum assume the permanent form which appears in the Notitia, incorporating the dioceses of Macedonia and Dacia, with Thessalonica as capital. However, the Western Empire, especially during the regency of Stilicho, continued to lay claim to them until 437, when, as part of the dowry of Licinia Eudoxia, Valentinian III recognized the East's sovereignty over the prefecture.[6] On this occasion, it appears that the prefecture's capital was again moved for a while (437-441) to Sirmium,[7] but the move is debated, as the northern Balkans were at the time ravaged by invasions. Likewise, the intention of Justinian I to move the capital to his new city of Justiniana Prima in the 540s remained unfulfilled. [8]


List of known praefecti praetorio per Illyricum[edit]

Insignia of the Praetorian Prefect of the Illyricum



  1. ^ Thessalonica, 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia
  2. ^ Illyria, 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia
  4. ^ a b Morrison (2007), p. 396
  5. ^ Greece, 1910 Catholic Encyclopedia
  6. ^ Morrison (2007), pp. 397–398
  7. ^ Southern Pannonia during the age of the Great Migrations
  8. ^ Morrison (2007), pp. 401–402
  9. ^ Bury (1912), pp. 223–224


External links[edit]