praefectus urbi

praefectus urbi (pri-fek-t[schwa]s [schwa]r-bI). [Latin “prefect of the city”] Roman law. A senator charged with keeping law and order in the city of Rome. • This duty originated in the early Empire. The praefectus had both criminal and civil jurisdiction; the latter was gradually taken over from the praetor, although the praefectus’s civil jurisdiction was always cognitio.

— Also termed urban prefect; prefect of the city.

“Praefectus urbi. The prefect of the city was originally a mere delegate appointed in case of the temporary absence of the emperor, but the office became a permanency owing to Tiberius‘ continued residence away from Rome in the latter part of his reign, and under subsequent emperors the prefect remained in office even when the emperor was present. His duties included generally the maintenance of order in the city, and he had under his command the urban cohorts, in effect a police force numbering between 4,000 and 6,000 men. He early assumed criminal jurisdiction, and in the end became the chief criminal court not only for Rome but for the district within 100 miles.” H.F. Jolowicz, Historical Introduction to the Study of Roman Law 345–46 (1952).

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词条贡献者

双语律师李明，国际知名法学院法律专业，擅长翻译各类与政府监管相关的法律文件。