«Dispensatore di governatori». A proposito di una dedica a un prefetto al pretorio da Gortina (IC IV 323)

IC IV 323, a dedication from the Praetorium of Gortyna, honours a high-ranking official named Markellinos, who is celebra- ted as «guide of the whole Hesperian land» and defined by another expression that is partially obscured by a lacuna but can plausibly be restored as «bestower and guardian of governors». This confirms the identification of the honorand with Antonius Marcellinus, prae- torian prefect ca. 340-341. The second part of the article discusses the capacity of praetorian prefects to appoint provincial governors in Late Antiquity, reconsidering the entire dossier of documents con- cerning this prerogative, which should not be the exclusive domain of the Eastern prefect, as is usually argued, but was probably sha- red by all praefecti praetorio.