Publius Atilius Aebutianus

Who was Publius Atilius Aebutianus?

Publius Atilius Aebutianus was a prefect of the Roman imperial bodyguard, known as the Praetorian Guard, during the reign of emperor Commodus, from 185 until his death in 188. Aebutianus acceded to the office upon the execution of his predecessor Sextus Tigidius Perennis. According to ancient sources, Perennis was removed by the influential freedman and chamberlain of Commodus, Marcus Aurelius Cleander, and in 188 Aebutianus suffered a similar fate. According to the Historia Augusta, he was murdered by Cleander, who then assumed command of the Praetorian Guard himself.