Praetorian prefecture of the East

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.
CapitalConstantinople
Historical eraLate Antiquity
• Established
337
• Loss of Diocese of the East and Diocese of Egypt to the Rashidun Caliphate and reorganization into themata
7th century
Political subdivisionsDiocese 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.