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==Introduction==The Praetorian Guard was very important in the politics and government of Imperial Rome for approximately 300 years. This military unit was unique, and it for extended periods of time, had great power and influence. They were the guardians of the Emperors and sometimes their masters. This article will examine the role of the Guards in the history of the greatest Empire in Antiquity. It will demonstrate that they had the power to remove weak Emperors and became important power brokers in the Empire, yet for most of their history, they were the loyal protectors of the leader of the Roman World. The Guards were also an important military unit who played a significant role in maintaining peace and security in Rome and throughout Italy. The guards also played a very important role in the administration and policing of the capital of the Empire and Italy.__NOTOC__ [[File: Praetorian Guard One.jpg|200px250px|thumbthumbnail|left|Praetorian Guards from the 1st century AD]]

The Praetorian Guard was critical in the politics and government of Imperial Rome for approximately 300 years. This military unit was unique and wielded power and influence in Rome. They were the guardians of the Emperors and sometimes their masters. This article will examine the role of the Guards in Roman history. It will demonstrate that they had the power to remove weak Emperors and became important power brokers in the Empire.  For most of their history, they were the loyal protectors of the leader of the Roman World. The Guards were also an important military unit that played a significant role in maintaining peace and security in Rome and Italy. The guards also played a meaningful role in the administration and policing of the capital of the Empire and Italy. ==The What was the Praetorian Guard Composition?==The Praetorian Guards were an elite unit in the Imperial Army and their . Their role was to protect the Emperor's person of the Emperor, a task they shared with the Imperial German bodyguard.<ref>Bingham, Sandra. The Praetorian Guard: A History of Rome's Elite Special Forces (London, IB Tauris, 2013), p 118</ref>. They were the only army unit allowed to bear arms in Rome, but out of respect to Republican sensibilities, they never wore armor in the city’s precincts. The Guards were divided into a number of some cohorts, that numbered typically several hundred mentypically. The various cohorts were composed of infantry and cavalry. For the first few centuries, they were mainly recruited from central Italy , and many were able to secure admission because of family or political connections.<ref>Bingham, p 119</ref>.  Over time more and more experienced legionnaires joined the Guards. The Praetorians were organized under a Praetorian Prefect, who became a very important vital military and political figure. The Prefect was eventually to command not only the guard but the urban militia of Rome. The individual cohorts were under the command of a tribune. Those who served in the Guards had better pay, conditions , and a shorter service than regular legionnaires. They were usually members of the Equestrian order and Order, which meant that they were from a higher high social status than the average legionnaire, class until at least 195 A.D, when Septimius Severus reformed the Guard .<ref> Bingham, p 201</ref>. The Guards was were seen as a great way to advance the career of the ambitious , and its members had a great deal of social prestige.  ==Why was the Praetorian Guard created?==[[File: Praetorian Guard Three.jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|The Battle of the Milvian Bridge]] During the Roman Republic decline, the various generals who competed for power and influence often created their bodyguards. The name Praetorian- comes from the Latin for General’s tent. Julius Caesar was one of the first to use a unit of handpicked soldiers for his protection. His heir, Octavian (later Augustus), and his bitter rival Mark Anthony had personal bodyguards. When Augustus became the sole ruler of Rome and its Empire, he created three cohorts of guards that became known as the Praetorian Guard. One was stationed in Rome to protect the Emperor, his German bodyguard, and two were located throughout Italy to maintain order.  Initially, the guards were tightly controlled by the first Emperor, however under his heir Tiberius, the Praetorians became very influential. Under the command of the ambitious and scheming Sejanus, they were all concentrated in Rome. He built a base for them in the city.<ref> Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome, x, iv</ref> This meant that the Praetorians were the dominant power in Rome, and this continued after the fall of Sejanus after his plot to become Emperor failed. Under the insane and bloody Caligula, they became very influential in Rome. Indeed, one of the tribunes of the Guard assassinated Caligula after being insulted by the mad-Emperor. After the Emperor's assassination, the guards selected Claudius as the supreme leader of the Roman World, and he handsomely rewarded the Praetorians.<ref> Tacitus, xi, v</ref>  By this stage, the Guards had become a real power in Rome, and Claudius even issued coins bearing the symbol of the Imperial Bodyguard, indicating their influence at this time. The Guards later conspired against Nero, who, upon hearing that he had lost their support, decided to commit suicide, believing that all was lost. During the Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD), they installed and deposed Galba as Emperor and sold the Imperial diadem to Otho.<ref> Suetonius. Life of Otho, vi</ref> Vitellius, upon seizing Rome, curbed the power of the Imperial Bodyguard. However, when Emperor Domitian (97 AD) began to act brutally and unpredictably, he was assassinated, and the Imperial bodyguard was implicated in his death.<ref> Suetonius, Life of Domitian, vi</ref>  For a century, the Praetorian Guard was controlled by a series of strong rulers, especially during the reigns of the ‘five good emperors.’<ref> Bingham, p. 234</ref> However, Emperor Caracalla indulged the Praetorian Guard, and they recovered much of their power. When he was assassinated in a Palace conspiracy, the Praetorians took over and brutalized the city. In 193, the Guard auctioned off the Imperial office after killing Pertinax, who attempted to curb their power and limit their privileges.<ref>Bingham, p 213</ref> Septimius Severus, after he became Emperor, reformed the Praetorians, and he ended the traditional Italian and Equestrian domination of the Imperial guard.  By 230 AD, the Empire fell into an existential crisis. This is the period known as the ‘Third Century Crisis.’<ref>Bingham, p. 278</ref> This was when a series of solder-emperors fought for the Empire, and the Roman World fell into anarchy and economic decline. During this time, a Praetorian Prefect, Macrinus, a Thracian giant, became Emperor for a year before being killed.<ref>Gibbon, Edward, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (London, Penguin Books, 1985), p 245</ref> A series of energetic generals ended the anarchy, and from Diocletian onwards, Rome was no longer the center of the Roman World. He used his soldiers as his bodyguards, and the Praetorians were side-lined. In 303 A.D, when Constantine invaded Italy, the Praetorians backed his rival. At the Battle of Milvian Bridge, the Guards were almost annihilated. The surviving guardsmen were sent to the frontiers of the Imperial territory, and their barracks were demolished on the orders of Constantine. ==What was the role of the Praetorian Guards in Roman politics?==

==The History of the Praetorian Guard==During Guards were usually the decline of the Roman Republiconly significant military unit in Rome, the various generals who competed for power if not Italy. There was an urban militia (vigiles) and influence often created their own personal the German bodyguardof the Emperor. The name Praetorian- comes from the LatinHowever, for General’s tent. Julius Caesar was one of the first to use a unit of handpicked soldiers for his personal protectionGuards were by far the most formidable military force in the capital. His heir, Octavian (later Augustus) This and his bitter rival Mark Anthony both had personal bodyguards. When Augustus became their unique access to the sole ruler of Rome and its Empire, he created three cohorts of guards, Emperor meant that became known as they were able to intervene in Imperial affairs. The Emperor came to depend on the Praetorian Guard. One was stationed in Rome to protect the Emperorfor his safety, along with his German bodyguard and two were located throughout Italy over time the Imperial bodyguard began to maintain orderbecome ‘conscious of their power. Initially the guards were tightly controlled by the first Emperor’<ref>Bingham, however under his heir Tiberius, the Praetorians became very influentialp. Under the command 167</ref> The ruler of the ambitious and scheming Sejanus, Roman World was at their mercy if they were all concentrated acted in Rome unison and he built a base for them decisively. The Guards were instrumental in the city deposition of countless Emperors; the exact number is unknown.  <refdh-ad/> Tacitus, The Annals  Because of their proximity to the absolute ruler of Imperial Rome, xthe known world, iv</ref>. This meant that the Praetorians were the dominant knew that his power in Rome depended on deference and this continued after the fall unthinking obedience of Sejanus after his plot to become Emperor failed. Under the insane and bloody Caligula, they became very influential in Romepopulation. IndeedThe Imperial Bodyguard, one of the tribunes of the Guard assassinated Caligula after being insulted by the mad-Emperor. The guards after the assassination of the Emperor selected Claudius under Prefects such as the supreme leader of the Roman World Sejanus, recognized that ultimately power depended on brute force and he handsomely rewarded that they had a monopoly on violence in Rome. As a result, the Praetorians <ref> Tacitus, , xi, v</ref>. By this stage the Guards had become Imperial Guard played a real power considerable role in Rome and Claudius even issued coins bearing the insignia history of the Imperial Bodyguard, indicating their influence at this timeEmpire. The Guards later conspired against Nero, who upon hearing that he They had lost their support decided to commit suicidethe ability, believing that all was lost. During which the Year Senate did not have, of the Four Emperors (69 AD), they installed making and deposed Galba as Emperor and sold unmaking the Imperial diadem to Otho <ref> SuetoniusRoman world's absolute ruler. Life of Otho, vi</ref>The guards only deposed Emperors who were weak or during times of crisis. Vitellius upon seizing Rome temporarily curbed For the power majority of their existence, strong rulers controlled the Imperial Bodyguardelite bodyguard. HoweverThere are long periods in the 2nd century, for example, when Emperor Domitian (97 AD) began to act the bodyguard is not mentioned in a tyrannical and unpredictable manner he was assassinated and the Imperial bodyguard was implicated in his death<ref>Suetoniussources, Life of Domitianbecause they were tightly controlled by rulers, vi</ref>. For a century the Praetorian Guard were controlled by a series of strong rulers, especially during the reigns of the ‘five good emperors’ such as Hadrian.<ref> Bingham, p. 234178</ref>. However, Emperor Caracalla indulged  ==Was the Praetorian Guard and they recovered much part of their power. When he the Roman Military? ==The Imperial guard was assassinated in a Palace conspiracy they brutally dominated formation of the city. In 193army, and Emperors often deployed them in the Guard auctioned of field. The Praetorian cohorts often accompanied Emperors on the Imperial office after killing Pertinaxcampaign, who attempted to curb where they protected their power and limit their privileges<ref>Bingham, p 213</ref>sovereign. Septimius Severus For example, after he became Emperorthey accompanied Trajan on his campaign in Dacia, reformed which is memorialized on the Praetorians and he ended the traditional Italian and Equestrian domination Arch of Trajan in Rome. It was not uncommon for the Imperial guard. By 230 AD the Empire fell into Bodyguard to take part in the battle, and they were regarded as an existential crisiselite unit, this is who was often used when the period known as the ‘Third Century Crisis’ <ref>Binghamoutcome of a battle was uncertain.  On one occasion, p. 278</ref>. This was a period when a series of solder-emperors fought for they accompanied Germanicus as he quelled a great mutiny among the Empire and legions on the Roman World fell into anarchy and economic decline. During this time a Praetorian Prefect, Macrinus, a Thracian giant, became Rhine, who were threatening the new Emperor for a year, before being killed <ref>Gibbon, Edwards, The Decline Tiberius. They helped Germanicus to persuade the legionnaires to return to their camps and Fall of the Roman Empire (London, Penguin Books, 1985), p 245restore discipline.</ref>. A series of energetic generals ended the anarchy and from Diocletian onwardsTacitus, x, v </ref> For many Emperors, Rome was no longer they were seen as the center last line of the Roman Worlddefense against a mutinous army or the legions of a rival. He used his own soldiers as his bodyguards and  ==Did the Praetorians were side-lined. In 303 A.D, when Constantine invaded ItalyPraetorian Guards serve as police in Rome?==As the main military force in Rome, the Praetorians backed his rival. At the Battle of Milvian Bridge, the Guards were almost annihilatedrequired to carry out a wide range of duties. The surviving guardsmen were sent to Despite the frontiers Roman state's sophistication, it had no police force or any of the Imperial territory and their barracks was demolished on other organizations that modern society takes for granted. The Imperial Body Guard played a crucial role in the orders policing of ConstantineRome. [[File: Praetorian Guard ThreeThe city was a vast and diverse metropolis, and much of it was lawless and ruled by gangs.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The Battle of Praetorian Guards were often the Milvian Bridge]]only force that was able to police the city. ==The Praetorian Guards- power-brokers==The Praetorian Guards were usually the only significant military unit in Rome if not Italy. There They did this was an urban militia (vigiles)a great effect, and they helped to ensure stability in the sprawling city on the German bodyguard of the EmperorTiber. Marcus Aurelius, howeverfor example, used cohorts of the Guards were by far to police the most formidable military force in the capitalcity during his many long absences on campaigns against Germanic tribes. This and their unique access They also appear to the Emperor meant that they were in a position have been used for crowd control during the Games. Many Emperors appeared to intervene in have used the Imperial affairs. The Emperor came Bodyguard as a secret police force. There are accounts of guardsmen being employed to depend spy on the Guard for his safety real and over time imagined conspirators. They appear to have been used to intimidate those who threatened the Imperial bodyguard began to become ‘conscious position of their power’ <an Emperor.  The Praetorians appear to have been used to guard the Emperor and maintained their authority in the capital.<ref>Bingham, p 167117</ref>. The ruler of There are claims that the Roman World was at their mercy if they acted in unison and decisivelyguards would often secretly assassinate those believed to be a threat to the Emperor. They Guards It seems that the Imperial Guardsmen were instrumental flexible and used in the deposition of countless Emperors the exact number is unknownemergencies. The Praetorians because of their proximity to the absolute ruler of the known world knew that his power elite unit was depended on deference and often used as firefighters alongside the unthinking obedience of the populationurban militia. The Imperial BodyguardFor example, under Prefects such as Sejanus, recognized Praetorian Guards fought a fire that ultimately power depended on brute force and threatened the Temple of Vesta in the great conflagration that they had a monopoly engulfed the city on violence in Rome. As a result, the Imperial Guard played a huge role in the history of the Empirethe Tiber during Nero's reign. They had the ability<ref> Tacitus, which the Senate did not have xi x</ref> ==Did Praetorian Guards serve outside of making and unmaking Rome?==While the absolute ruler of the Roman world. It should Imperial Bodyguard was mainly stationed in Rome, it was not uncommon for Praetorian officers to be remembered that located elsewhere in Italy. The Praetorian Prefect was important in the guards could only depose Emperors who were weak or during times government of crisisItaly. For the majority of their existence, strong rulers controlled the elite bodyguard There is evidence that Praetorians could be stationed throughout Italy. There are long periods Imperial Bodyguards often administered areas and urban centers in the 2nd century, for Italy. For example, when the bodyguard is not mentioned graves of Praetorians have been found in the sourcesPompeii, because where they were tightly controlled by rulers, such as Hadrian <ref>Bingham, p 178</ref>presumably involved in local affairs. ==Military It was believed that Praetorians had a role in collecting taxes and maintaining law and order. They would, presumably, ensure that the orders of the Praetorian Guards==The Imperial guard was a formation of the army and they Emperor were often deployed by Emperors in enforced at the fieldlocal level. The Praetorian cohorts It is believed that Praetorians were employed to arbitrate in local land disputes between communities, which often accompanied Emperors on the campaign, where they protected their sovereignthreatened to flare up into open violence. For example<ref>Kelpie, p 116</ref> It also appears that they accompanied Trajan on his campaign were involved in Dacia and this is memorialized on collecting taxes. The exact role of the Arch of Trajan Praetorian in Rome. It was not uncommon for the Imperial Bodyguard to take part the Italian provinces is unknown, but it appears that they played an important role in the battle and they administration of Italy. ==How important were regarded as an elite unit, who was often used when the outcome of a battle was uncertainPraetorian Guard?==The Praetorian Guards were an important institution in the history of Imperial Rome. On one occasion they accompanied Germanicus as he quelled a great mutiny among They were used to guard the legions on the Rhine, who were threatening the new Emperor Tiberius. They helped Germanicus and to persuade the legionnaires to return to their camps protect his person and restore discipline <ref> Tacitus, x, v </ref>his family. For many EmperorsThis was a critical task in any autocracy such as the Roman Empire. However, they were seen as the last line of defense against in a mutinous army or the legions of privileged position to determine if an emperor should stay in power. Praetorian Guards never ousted a rival. ==Security and other roles strong Emperor, but the Imperial bodyguard was often a destabilizing factor in Rome==Imperial politics.  The Praetorians as the main military force in Rome were required Additionally, they helped to carry out a wide range precipitate periods of duties. Despite war and political violence, such as the sophistication Year of the Roman stateFive Emperors (195 AD). However, it had no police force or many of the other organizations that modern society takes for granted. The Imperial Body Guard they were not only power-brokers. Still, they also played a very important critical role in the policing administration of Romeand the Italian provinces. The city was Praetorian Guard alternated, in its three hundred years, from being a vast and diverse metropolis and much of it was lawless and ruled by gangs. The Praetorian Guards were often the only force group that helped to stabilize the Empire to a body that was able to police the citydestabilized Rome. They did this was a great effect and they helped to ensure stability in the sprawling city on the Tiber ====Further Reading====B. Rankov. <i>[https://www.amazon. Marcus Aurelius, for example, used cohorts of the Guards to police the citycom/gp/product/1855323613/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1855323613&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4190088820573d53ed1486d0e216d27a The Praetorian Guard]</i> (London, during his many long absences on campaigns against Germanic tribesPenguin, 1994). de la Bédoyère, Guy (2017). They also appear to have been used for crowd control during the Games[https://www. Many Emperors appeared to have used the Imperial Bodyguard as a secret police forceamazon. There are accounts com/gp/product/0300218958/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0300218958&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=fbd0bcb4ee0273c4b3097ea71409506d <i>Praetorian: The Rise and Fall of guardsmen being employed to spy on real Rome's Imperial Bodyguard</i>]. (Yale University Press, 2017) Echols, Edward. "The Roman City Police: Origin and imagined conspirators and they appear to have been used to intimidate those who threatened the position of an Emperor. The Praetorians appear to have been used not only to guard the Emperor but also maintained their authority in the capital<refDevelopment." <i>The Classical Journal</i> Bingham, p 117</ref>. There are claims that the guards would often secretly assassinate those who were believed to be a threat to the Emperor. It seems that the Imperial Guardsmen were flexible and used in emergencies. The elite unit was often used as firefighters, alongside the urban militia. For example, Praetorian Guards fought a fire that threatened the Temple of Vesta in the great conflagration that engulfed the city on the Tiber, during the reign of Nero <ref> Tacitus, xi x</ref>. ==Praetorian Guards in the Provinces==While the Imperial Bodyguard was mainly stationed in Rome, it was not uncommon for Praetorian officers to be located elsewhere in Italy. The Praetorian Prefect was important in the government of Italy. There is evidence that Praetorians could be stationed throughout Italy. Imperial Bodyguards often administered areas and urban centers in Italy. For example, the graves of Praetorians have been found in Pompeii, where they were presumably involved in local affairs. It was believed that Praetorians had a role in collecting taxes and maintaining law and order. They would, presumably, ensure that the orders of the Emperor were enforced at the local level. It is believed that Praetorians were employed to arbitrate in local land disputes between communities, which often threatened to flare up into open violence <ref>Kelpie, p 116</ref>. It also appears that they were involved in the collection of taxes. The exact role of the Praetorian in the Italian provinces is unknown but it appears that they played an important role in the administration of Italy. ==Conclusion==The Praetorian Guards were an important institution in the history of Imperial Rome. They were used to guard the Emperor and to protect his person and his family. This was a critical task in any autocracy such as the Roman Empire. However, they were in a privileged position to decide if an emperor who had lost support or who was acting tyrannically should stay in power. It is important to note that the Praetorian Guards never ousted a strong Emperor. The Imperial bodyguard was often a destabilizing factor in Imperial politics and they helped to precipitate periods of war and political violence, such as the Year of the Five Emperors (195 AD). However, they were not only power-brokers they also played a very important role in the administration of Rome and the Italian provinces. The Praetorian Guard alternated, in its three hundred years from being a group that helped to stabilize the Empire to a body that destabilized Rome. ==Further Reading==B53, no. Rankov, The Praetorian Guard 8 (London, Penguin, 19941958).: 377-85

de la BédoyèreSmith, Guy (2017)R. E. Praetorian: "The Rise and Fall Army Reforms of Rome's Imperial BodyguardSeptimius Severus. Yale" <i>Historia: Yale University PressZeitschrift Für Alte Geschichte</i> 21, no.3 (1972): 481-500

EcholsCollins, EdwardA.W. "The Roman City Police: Origin Casperius Aelianus, Trajan and Developmentthe Mutiny of 97 AD." The Classical Journal 53, no. 8 <i>Acta Classica</i> 56 (19582013): 37755-8561.

Collins, A.W. "Casperius Aelianus, Trajan and the Mutiny of 97 AD." Acta Classica 56 (2013)====References====<references/>[[Category: 55-61.Roman History]][[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Roman Empire]]