Praetor



A praetor is a Roman commander of an army during the time of Ancient Rome. There can only be two praetors per legion that act as the leaders in all of the legion's affairs, including battles. The only known surviving legion is the Twelfth Legion Fulminata.

The Lost Hero
Jason Grace declares, during the battle against Porphyrion, that he is the praetor of the First Legion. However, the First Legion directly pertains to the original Roman legion. (How he becomes a praetor is prior to the events of the book). He slowly regains his memory and remembers the demigods from his cohort including Hazel Levesque and his co-praetor, Reyna.

The Son of Neptune
It is explained in greater detail that Jason Grace had become praetor after his successful defeat of Krios. This brought honor back to the Fifth Cohort, of which Jason was a part of. One month later, during the events of The Lost Hero, Jason was swapped with Percy Jackson by Hera who planned to unite the two camps. Octavian, having no progress as to Jason's status, takes the opportunity to question Reyna's decision to put the election of another praetor to replace Jason on hold. Reyna, knowing that Camp Jupiter is to be attacked by Polybotes, decides that if by the Feast of Fortuna, Jason does not appear, a new praetor can be elected.

Upon returning from the quest to release Death, and after reacquiring the Roman standard and defeating Alcyoneus, Percy returns to camp, along with Hazel and Frank, as the standard bearer. Upon Percy's defeat of Polybotes, the Romans raise him on a shield and proclaim him praetor. As his first decision in the senate, Percy orders that Camp Jupiter stand ready upon the arrival of the Argo II, to greet his old friends, the Greeks.

The Mark of Athena
Shortly after Jason Grace arrives back at Camp Jupiter, he reunites with Reyna and is introduced to the newly elected praetor in his place, Percy Jackson. During a meeting between Roman and Greek demigods, Octavian points out that with the return of Jason, the camp currently has three praetors instead of the usual two. Percy and Jason both point out that currently they both outrank him and order Octavian to hold hi tongue. Percy then offers to step down to allow Jason to return to his old position as if it is no big deal, something that greatly upsets Octavian. After Percy and Jason are forced to flee camp because an eidolon possesses Leo Valdez to attack the Roman Legion, Reyna is once again burdened to lead the camp by herself as the only praetor.

List of Known Praetors

 * Michael Varus (deceased in the 80's)
 * Jason Grace (formaly)
 * Reyna (currently)
 * Percy Jackson (currently)

Trivia

 * The symbol of a praetor is an eagle medal and a purple cape.
 * The Fifth Cohort has housed three out of the four known praetors: Jason Grace, Percy Jackson, and Michael Varus.
 * Percy Jackson is the only known praetor to be promoted directly from the rank of a probatio, within 5 days of his arrival.
 * Only two praetors can be in office at the same time. The sole known exception is when Percy Jackson is raised to praetorship the day before Jason Grace returned to Camp Jupiter. This resulted in Percy, Jason, and Reyna all having the rank of praetor. Before this could be resolved, Percy and Jason are forced to flee Camp Jupiter on the Argo II.
 * Because Percy and Jason are considered outlaws and traitors for entering the Mediterranean Sea — breaking Camp Jupiter's laws — Reyna is once again the sole praetor of the camp.