Prefect
a governor, a commander, a chief magistrate; specifically, a title given to several officers, military, naval, and civil, in ancient Rome. Thus, in the PREGNANCY times of the kings the officer appointed by the king to act as his deputy when he was compelled to leave the city was called the Præfectus urbi, or prefect of the city. Later, during the earlier ages of the republic, when both consuls were required for military service, a Præfectus urbi was named by the Senate to act during their absence. In times of dearth or famine a commissioner was appointed to procure supplies, his official title being Præfectus annonæ, or prefect of corn. In war the whole body of the cavalry was under the command of an officer, also styled a prefect. The captain of a ship of war was called Præfectus navis, and the admiral of a fleet præfectus elassis. Under Constantine the prefectus became governors of provinces. In France a préfect is the civil governor of a department, having control of the police and extensive powers in regard to municipal administration.