■cr

44

THE DECLINE AND FALL

After the praetorian prefects had been dismiss-

es a p.xvil

ed from all military command, the civil fnnetionswhich they were ordained to exercise over somany subject nations, were adequate to the am-bition and abilities of the most consummate mi-nisters. To their wisdom was committed the su-preme administration of justice and of the fi-nances, the two objects which, in a state of peace,comprehend almost all the respective duties ofthe sovereign and of the people ; of the former,to protect the citizens who are obedient to thelaws ; of the latter, to contribute the share oftheir property which is required for theexpencesof the state. The coin, the highways, the posts,the granaries, the manufactures, whatever couldinterest the public prosperity, was moderated bythe authority of the praetorian prefects. As theimmediate representatives of the imperial majes-ty, they were empowered to 'X|tl; in, to euforce,and on some occasions to modify, the generaledicts by their discretionary proclamations. Theywatched over the conduct of the provincial go-vernors, removed the negligent, and inflictedpunishments on the guilty. From all the inferiorjurisdictions, an appeal in every matter of im-portance, either civil or criminal, might bebrought before the tribunal of the praefect; buthis sentence was final and absolute ; and the em-perors themselves refused to admit any com-plaints against the judgment or the integrity of

of the praetorian praefects, we should frequently have been perplexedamid the copious details of the Code, and the circumstantial minute-ness of the Notitia. ~~