Changes

[[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 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.

For most of their history, they were The Praetorian Guard was critical in the loyal protectors politics and government of the leader of the Roman WorldImperial Rome for approximately 300 years. The Guards were also an important This military unit who played a significant role in maintaining peace was unique and wielded power and security influence in Rome . They were the guardians of the Emperors and throughout Italysometimes their masters. The guards also played a significant This article will examine the role of the Guards in Roman history. It will demonstrate that they had the administration power to remove weak Emperors and policing of the capital of became important power brokers in the Empire and Italy.

====The Praetorian Guard Composition====The Praetorian Guards were an elite unit in the Imperial Army, and For most of their role was to protect the person of the Emperorhistory, a task they shared with were the Imperial German bodyguard.<ref>Bingham, Sandra. The Praetorian Guard: A History loyal protectors 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 leader of respect to Republican sensibilities, they never wore armor in the city’s precinctsRoman World. The Guards were divided into some cohorts, also an important military unit that numbered several hundred men typicallyplayed a significant role in maintaining peace and security in Rome and Italy. The various cohorts were composed guards also played a meaningful role in the administration and policing of the capital of infantry the Empire 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 ==What was the Praetorian Guard?==The Praetorian Guards. The Praetorians were organized under a Praetorian Prefect, who became a vital military and political figurean elite unit in the Imperial Army. The Prefect Their role was eventually to command not only protect the guard but Emperor's person, a task they shared with the urban militia Imperial German bodyguard.<ref>Bingham, Sandra. The Praetorian Guard: A History of Rome. 's Elite Special Forces (London, IB Tauris, 2013), p 118</ref> The individual cohorts They were under the command only army unit allowed to bear arms in Rome, but out of a tribune. Those who served respect to Republican sensibilities, they never wore armor in the city’s precincts. The Guards had better pay, conditions and a shorter service than regular legionnaireswere divided into some cohorts that numbered several hundred men typically. They The various cohorts were usually members composed of infantry and cavalry. For the Equestrian Orderfirst few centuries, which meant that they were mainly recruited from a high social class until at least 195 A.D when Septimius Severus reformed the Guardcentral Italy, and many were able to secure admission because of family or political connections.<ref> Bingham, p 201119</ref> The Guards were seen as a great way to advance the career of the ambitious and its members had a great deal of social prestige.

====Over time more and more experienced legionnaires joined the Guards. The History of the Praetorians were organized under a Praetorian Guard====[[File: Praetorian Guard ThreePrefect, who became a vital military and political figure.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The Battle of Prefect was eventually to command not only the Milvian Bridge]]During guard but the decline urban militia of the Roman Republic, the various generals who competed for power and influence often created their bodyguardRome. The name Praetorian- comes from individual cohorts were under the Latin, for General’s tent. Julius Caesar was one command of the first to use a unit of handpicked soldiers for his protectiontribune. His heirThose who served in the Guards had better pay, conditions, Octavian (later Augustus) and his bitter rival Mark Anthony both had personal bodyguardsa shorter service than regular legionnaires. When Augustus became They were usually members of the sole ruler of Rome and its Empire, he created three cohorts of guardsEquestrian Order, which meant that became known as they were from a high social class until 195 A.D when Septimius Severus reformed the Praetorian Guard. One was stationed in Rome <ref> Bingham, p 201</ref> The Guards were seen as a great way to protect advance the Emperorcareer of the ambitious, along with his German bodyguard and two were located throughout Italy to maintain orderits members had a great deal of social prestige.

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, and 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 ==Why was the Praetorian Guard created?==[[File: Praetorian Guard assassinated Caligula after being insulted by the mad-EmperorThree. jpg|250px|thumbnail|left|The guards after the assassination Battle of the Emperor selected Claudius as the supreme leader of the Roman World, and he handsomely rewarded the Praetorians.<ref> Tacitus, xi, v</ref> Milvian Bridge]]

By this stageDuring the Roman Republic decline, the Guards had become a real various generals who competed for power in Rome, and Claudius even issued coins bearing influence often created their bodyguards. The name Praetorian- comes from the symbol Latin for General’s tent. Julius Caesar was one of the Imperial Bodyguardfirst to use a unit of handpicked soldiers for his protection. His heir, indicating their influence at this time. The Guards Octavian (later conspired against NeroAugustus), who upon hearing that he and his bitter rival Mark Anthony had lost their support decided to commit suicide, believing that all was lostpersonal bodyguards. During When Augustus became the Year sole ruler of the Four Emperors (69 AD)Rome and its Empire, they installed and deposed Galba he created three cohorts of guards that became known as Emperor and sold the Imperial diadem to OthoPraetorian Guard.<ref> Suetonius. Life of Otho, vi</ref> Vitellius upon seizing One was stationed in Rome curbed the power of to protect the Imperial Bodyguard. However, when Emperor Domitian (97 AD) began to act brutally and unpredictably, he was assassinatedhis German bodyguard, and the Imperial bodyguard was implicated in his deathtwo were located throughout Italy to maintain order.<ref> Suetonius, Life of Domitian, vi</ref>

For a century Initially, the Praetorian Guard guards were tightly controlled by a series of strong rulersthe first Emperor, however under his heir Tiberius, especially during the reigns Praetorians became very influential. Under the command of the ‘five good emperorsambitious and scheming Sejanus, they were all concentrated in Rome. He built a base for them in the city.’<ref> BinghamTacitus, p. 234The Annals of Imperial Rome, x, iv</ref> HoweverThis meant that the Praetorians were the dominant power in Rome, and this continued after the fall of Sejanus after his plot to become Emperor Caracalla indulged failed. Under the Praetorian Guardinsane and bloody Caligula, and they recovered much of their powerbecame very influential in Rome. When he was assassinated in a Palace conspiracyIndeed, one of the tribunes of the Praetorians took over and brutalized Guard assassinated Caligula after being insulted by the citymad-Emperor. In 193After the Emperor's assassination, the Guard auctioned guards selected Claudius as the supreme leader of the Imperial office after killing PertinaxRoman World, who attempted to curb their power and limit their privilegeshe handsomely rewarded the Praetorians.<ref>BinghamTacitus, p 213xi, v</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 this stage, the Empire fell into an existential crisisGuards had become a real power in Rome, this is the period known as and Claudius even issued coins bearing the ‘Third Century Crisis.’<ref>Bingham, p. 278</ref> This was a period when a series symbol of solder-emperors fought for the EmpireImperial Bodyguard, and the Roman World fell into anarchy and economic decline. During indicating their influence at this time a Praetorian Prefect. The Guards later conspired against Nero, Macrinuswho, a Thracian giantupon hearing that he had lost their support, became Emperor for a yeardecided to commit suicide, before being killedbelieving that all was lost.<ref>Gibbon, Edward, The Decline and Fall During the Year of the Roman Empire Four Emperors (London, Penguin Books, 198569 AD), p 245they installed and deposed Galba as Emperor and sold the Imperial diadem to Otho.</ref> A series Suetonius. Life of energetic generals ended the anarchyOtho, and from Diocletian onwardsvi</ref> Vitellius, upon seizing Rome was no longer , curbed the center power of the Roman WorldImperial Bodyguard. He used his soldiers as his bodyguardsHowever, when Emperor Domitian (97 AD) began to act brutally and the Praetorians were side-lined. In 303 A.Dunpredictably, when Constantine invaded Italyhe was assassinated, and the Praetorians backed Imperial bodyguard was implicated in his rivaldeath. At the Battle of Milvian Bridge<ref> Suetonius, the Guards were almost annihilated. The surviving guardsmen were sent to the frontiers Life of the Imperial territoryDomitian, and their barracks was demolished on the orders of Constantine.vi</ref>

====The 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 GuardsGuard, 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- poweremperors 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-brokerslined. 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 Praetorian Guards were usually the only significant military unit in Rome , if not Italy. There was an urban militia (vigiles), and the German bodyguard of the Emperor, however. However, the Guards were by far the most formidable military force in the capital. This and their unique access to the Emperor meant that they were in a position able to intervene in Imperial affairs. The Emperor came to depend on the Guard for his safety, and over time the Imperial bodyguard began to become ‘conscious of their power.’<ref>Bingham, p. 167</ref> The ruler of the Roman World was at their mercy if they acted in unison and decisively. They The Guards were instrumental in the deposition of countless Emperors ; the exact number is unknown.

The Praetorians because Because of their proximity to the absolute ruler of the known world , the Praetorians knew that his power depended on deference and the unthinking obedience of the population. The Imperial Bodyguard, under Prefects such as Sejanus, recognized that ultimately power depended on brute force and that they had a monopoly on violence in Rome. As a result, the Imperial Guard played a considerable role in the history of the Empire. They had the ability, which the Senate did not have , of making and unmaking the Roman world's absolute ruler of the Roman world. The guards only deposed Emperors who were weak or during times of crisis. For the majority of their existence, strong rulers controlled the elite bodyguard. There are long periods in the 2nd century, for example, when the bodyguard is not mentioned in the sources, because they were tightly controlled by rulers, such as Hadrian.<ref>Bingham, p 178</ref> ==Was the Praetorian Guard part of the Roman Military? ==The Imperial guard was a formation of the army, and Emperors often deployed them in the field. The Praetorian cohorts often accompanied Emperors on the campaign, where they protected their sovereign. For example, they accompanied Trajan on his campaign in Dacia, which is memorialized on the Arch of Trajan in Rome. It was not uncommon for the Imperial Bodyguard to take part in the battle, and they were regarded as an elite unit, who was often used when the outcome of a battle was uncertain.

====Military role of the Praetorian Guards====The Imperial guard was a formation of the army, and Emperors often deployed them in the field. The Praetorian cohorts often accompanied Emperors on the campaign, where they protected their sovereign. For example, they accompanied Trajan on his campaign in Dacia, and this is memorialized on the Arch of Trajan in Rome. It was not uncommon for the Imperial Bodyguard to take part in the battle and they were regarded as an elite unit, who was often used when the outcome of a battle was uncertain. On one occasion , they accompanied Germanicus as he quelled a great mutiny among the legions on the Rhine, who were threatening the new Emperor Tiberius. They helped Germanicus to persuade the legionnaires to return to their camps and restore discipline.<ref> Tacitus, x, v </ref> For many Emperors, they were seen as the last line of defense against a mutinous army or the legions of a rival.

====Security and other roles Did the Praetorian Guards serve as police in Rome==?==The Praetorians as As the main military force in Rome , the Praetorians were required to carry out a wide range of duties. Despite the sophistication of the Roman state's sophistication, it had no police force or many any of the other organizations that modern society takes for granted. The Imperial Body Guard played a crucial role in the policing of Rome. The city was a vast and diverse metropolis, and much of it was lawless and ruled by gangs. The Praetorian Guards were often the only force that was able to police the city. They did this was a great effect, and they helped to ensure stability in the sprawling city on the Tiber. Marcus Aurelius, for example, used cohorts of the Guards to police the city, during his many long absences on campaigns against Germanic tribes. They also appear to have been used for crowd control during the Games. Many Emperors appeared to have used the Imperial Bodyguard as a secret police force. There are accounts of guardsmen being employed to spy on real and imagined conspirators, and they appear to have been used to intimidate those who threatened the position of an Emperor.

The Praetorians appear They did this was a great effect, and they helped to have been used not only to guard ensure stability in the Emperor but also maintained their authority in sprawling city on the capitalTiber.<ref> BinghamMarcus Aurelius, p 117</ref> There are claims that for example, used cohorts of the guards would often secretly assassinate those who were believed Guards to be a threat police the city during his many long absences on campaigns against Germanic tribes. They also appear to have been used for crowd control during the EmperorGames. It seems that Many Emperors appeared to have used the Imperial Guardsmen were flexible Bodyguard as a secret police force. There are accounts of guardsmen being employed to spy on real and used in emergenciesimagined conspirators. The elite unit was often They appear to have been used as firefighters, alongside the urban militia. For example, Praetorian Guards fought a fire that to intimidate those who threatened the Temple position of Vesta in the great conflagration that engulfed the city on the Tiber, during the reign of Neroan Emperor. <ref> Tacitus, xi x</ref>

====Praetorian Guards The Praetorians appear to have been used to guard the Emperor and maintained their authority in the Provinces====While capital.<ref> Bingham, p 117</ref> There are claims that the Imperial Bodyguard was mainly stationed in Rome, it was not uncommon for Praetorian officers guards would often secretly assassinate those believed to be located elsewhere a threat to the Emperor. It seems that the Imperial Guardsmen were flexible and used in Italyemergencies. The Praetorian Prefect elite unit was important in often used as firefighters alongside the government of Italy. There is evidence that Praetorians could be stationed throughout Italy. Imperial Bodyguards often administered areas and urban centers in Italymilitia. For example, Praetorian Guards fought a fire that threatened the graves Temple of Praetorians have been found Vesta 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 the great conflagration that engulfed the orders of the Emperor were enforced at city on 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 violenceTiber during Nero's reign.<ref>KelpieTacitus, p 116xi x</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.

==Did Praetorian Guards serve outside of Rome?==ConclusionWhile 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 collecting 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. ==How important were the Praetorian Guard?==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 determine 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 , but the Imperial bodyguard was often a destabilizing factor in Imperial politics.  Additionally, 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 . Still, they also played a critical 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.

de la Bédoyère, Guy (2017). [https://www.amazon.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 Rome's Imperial Bodyguard</i>]. Yale: (Yale University Press., 2017)

[[Category:Roman History]][[Category:Wikis]][[Category:Roman Empire]] Updated September 17, 2021.