The Praetorian Gate The Praetorian Gate was the main entrance to the City Of York (or Eboracum as it was then known) during Roman Times. The original construction date is uncertain but the gate was probably rebuilt around 300AD. It guarded the entrance to the Praetorium where Julius Agricola and Petillius Cerealis directed the Roman legions and where Constantine was acclaimed Emperor on the death, in York, of his father Constantius. The gate had two arches, each spanning a road approximately 20 feet wide and stood partly across the square and partly across the large building inscribed 'Yorkshire Insurance Co.' Return to the tour