other · Egypt, North Africa and Sudan

Praetorian Prefecture of Africa

534 CE – 591 CE (approx.) · capital Carthage

Justinian's government for reconquered North Africa, set up at Carthage after the fall of the Vandals.

Origins

After Belisarius destroyed the Vandal Kingdom in 533 to 534, Justinian created a Praetorian Prefecture of Africa with its seat at Carthage. It covered the former Roman provinces from Tripolitania to Mauretania, with Sardinia and Corsica, under a civil prefect and a separate military commander.

Rule and society

Restoration of Roman law, taxation and the Nicene church came with confiscation of Arian property. The general Solomon, who also served as prefect, built fortresses across Numidia and Byzacena, many still visible today. The new regime faced army mutinies, notably that of Stotzas in 536, and repeated wars with Berber powers such as the Kingdom of Capsus and the Laguatan, until John Troglita restored order around 548.

Decline and legacy

To strengthen defence against the Berbers, the emperor Maurice combined civil and military authority under an exarch around 591. The prefecture was thus replaced by the Exarchate of Africa, though prefects remained as subordinate officials.

Lineage

Vandal Kingdom 435 CE – 534 CEPraetorian Prefecture of AfricaExarchate of Africa 591 CE – 698 CE

Connections (2)

More states of Egypt, North Africa and Sudan →

Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Praetorian Prefecture of Africa. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/praetorian-prefecture-of-africa
MLA
“Praetorian Prefecture of Africa.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/praetorian-prefecture-of-africa. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Praetorian Prefecture of Africa.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/praetorian-prefecture-of-africa.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Praetorian Prefecture of Africa’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/praetorian-prefecture-of-africa (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻