'Praetors' in the Bible

Then they brought them before the praetors. "These men," they said, "are creating a great disturbance in our city.

The crowd, too, joined in the outcry against them, till at length the praetors ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods;

In the morning the praetors sent their lictors with the order, "Release those men."

So the jailer brought Paul word, saying, "The praetors have sent orders for you to be released. Now therefore you can go, and proceed on your way in peace."

This answer the lictors took back to the praetors, who were alarmed when they were told that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.