He became chief chartularius, with an annual stipend of twenty-four solidi, and considerable emoluments for all the various services which he performed.

He rose to an Augustalis, and finally to the dignity of Corniculus, the highest, and at one time the most lucrative office in the department.

But the Praetorian praefect had gradually been deprived of his powers and his honors.

He lost the superintendence of the supply and manufacture of arms; the uncontrolled charge of the public posts; the levying of the troops; the command of the army in war when the emperors ceased nominally to command in person, but really through the Praetorian praefect; that of the household troops, which fell to the magister aulae.

At length the office was so completely stripped of its power, as to be virtually abolished, (see de Magist.l.iii.c.40, p.