| Praetorian prefecture of the East Praefectura praetorio Orientis Ἐπαρχότης τῶν πραιτωρίων τῆς Ανατολῆς Ἑῴα Ὑπαρχία | |
|---|---|
| Praet. Prefecture of the East Roman Empire | |
| 337–7th century | |
 Praetorian Prefectures of the Roman Empire (395). The Praetorian Prefecture of the East is in grey. | |
| Capital | Constantinople |
| Historical era | Late Antiquity |
• Established | 337 |
• Loss of Diocese of the East and Diocese of Egypt to the Rashidun Caliphate and reorganization into themata | 7th century |
| Political subdivisions | Diocese of Thrace Diocese of Asia Diocese of Pontus Diocese of the East Diocese of Egypt |
The praetorian prefecture of the East, or of the Orient (Latin: praefectura praetorio Orientis, Greek: ἐπαρχότης/ὑπαρχία τῶν πραιτωρίων τῆς ἀνατολῆς) was one of four large praetorian prefectures into which the Late Roman Empire was divided. As it comprised the larger part of the Eastern Roman Empire, and its seat was at Constantinople, the praetorian prefect was the second most powerful man in the East, after the Emperor, in essence serving as his first minister.