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 praefecti in Rome to administer the affairs of the city during his absence; Maecenas had had a similar, though less definite, position given him by Augustus; and when the latter became Princeps, the praefecture between the years 27 and 24 became a more regular, although still an occasional office, and was renewed from time to time by Augustus during his absences from the capital. Tiberius' long periods of retirement made it practically perpetual, and under subsequent reigns the praefect remains in office even when the Princeps is present in Rome. It was, perhaps, due to its associations with the Republican magistracy that this office was filled by a senator and a consular. The same associations may account for the facts that the praefect of the city, although a delegate of the Princeps and nominated by him for an indefinite period, is yet accounted a magistrate, and is even credited with imperium.

One of the early occupants of the office sent in his resignation six days after his appointment on the ground that he had held an incivilis potestas; and indeed the scope of the praefect's duties and the extent of summary jurisdiction and coercive power which they involved, might easily lead a sensitive mind to shrink from such un-Republican authority. The praefect was briefly the guardian of the city (custos urbis), and nothing that could be construed as a part of that tutela[10] was exempt from his control. It was his duty to keep order everywhere, at the.].]it is said of L. Piso (died 32 ) "praefectus urbi recens continuam potestatem et insolentia parendi graviorem mire temperavit."]"(Augustus) sumpsit e consularibus."]