Praetor Neral
Praetor Hiren
Praetor Shinzon
Praetor was a title given to a political and military administrator. The term holds historic usage on Earth, during the period of the Roman Empire, as well as usage within the Romulan Empire.
In the late 24th century, the Romulans also used the title of Prod in place of Praetor. (Star Trek Nemesis)
The title was present on the planet 892-IV as evidenced by the Praetorian guards. (TOS: "Bread and Circuses")
The leader of the Romulan Star Empire was referred to as Praetor. (TOS: "Balance of Terror") The Praetor presided over the Romulan Senate and the Continuing Committee. (Star Trek Nemesis)
One Praetor, Colius, was honored by having an award, the Praetor Colius Award, named after him. (DS9: "In the Pale Moonlight")
The Praetor's source of power has always been the Romulan fleet. In 2266, the Praetor sent his flagship across the Romulan Neutral Zone in an unprovoked attack on several border outposts. Decius, an officer aboard the Romulan vessel, sent the Praetor a message to update him on their mission. However this broke the communication silence the ship was running under and he was reduced in rank as punishment. (TOS: "Balance of Terror")
In 2374, Neral, a former Proconsul, became Praetor. (DS9: "Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges") Later, Hiren ascended to the position, which he held until 2379, when Shinzon, a Human raised as a Reman, had the entire Romulan Senate killed and assumed leadership of the Star Empire. However, he was killed the same year after his plan to annihilate Earth was uncovered. (Star Trek Nemesis)
- Like so much concerning the Romulans, "Praetor" is a term taken from the Roman Empire. There, a Praetor was a magistrate and minister of justice, who presided over courts of law. The position was subordinate only to Consuls in hierarchy of the Roman Republican Government, and was a prerequisite for eligibility to standing for election to the Consulate. The term also referred to an army commander. A Praetor in Rome was automatically a member of the Senate.
- In Star Trek, Ayel refers to Nero as "Prod Nero." According to the DVD commentary for the film, "Prod" was intended to mean "Praetor."
Known Romulan Praetors
| Praetors of the Romulan Star Empire |
|---|
| Colius • Unnamed (c. 2266) • Neral (c. 2374) • Hiren (c. 2379) • Shinzon (c. 2379) |
Apocrypha
Novels set after Nemesis establish that Tal'aura became Praetor after Shinzon's death and that Commander Donatra declared herself Empress, splitting the Empire into two fragments.