Definition: A prefect is a type of Roman military or civil official. The prefect was appointed and had no imperium. A prefect could be in charge of a prefecture. There was a prefect at the head of the praetorian guard. In addition, there were several other military and civil prefects, including the Praefectus vigilum in charge of the city's police-like vigiles, and Praefectus classis, in charge of the fleet. The Latin form of the word prefect is praefectus.
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