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[[File: Praetorian Guard One.jpg|300px250px|thumbthumbnail|left|Praetorian Guards from the 1st century AD]] 

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 that played a significant role in maintaining peace and security in Rome and throughout Italy. The guards also played a meaningful role in the administration and policing of the capital of the Empire and Italy.

====What was the Praetorian Guard?====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 some cohorts, that numbered several hundred men typically. 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 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, which meant that they were from a high social class until at least 195 A.D when Septimius Severus reformed the Guard.<ref> Bingham, p 201</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.

====Why was the Praetorian Guard created?====[[File: Praetorian Guard Three.jpg|200px250px|thumbthumbnail|left|The Battle of the Milvian Bridge]]During the decline of the Roman Republic, the various generals who competed for power and influence often created their bodyguard. 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 both 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, along with his German bodyguard and two were located throughout Italy to maintain order.

Initially During the guards were tightly controlled by the first Emperor, however under his heir TiberiusRoman Republic decline, the Praetorians became very influentialvarious generals who competed for power and influence often created their bodyguards. Under The name Praetorian- comes from the command Latin for General’s tent. Julius Caesar was one of the ambitious and scheming Sejanus, they were all concentrated in Rome, and he built first to use a base unit of handpicked soldiers for them in the cityhis protection.<ref> Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial RomeHis heir, xOctavian (later Augustus), 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 failedbitter rival Mark Anthony had personal bodyguards. Under When Augustus became the insane sole ruler of Rome and bloody Caligulaits Empire, they he created three cohorts of guards that became very influential in Rome. Indeed, one of the tribunes of known as the Praetorian Guard assassinated Caligula after being insulted by the mad-Emperor. The guards after the assassination of One was stationed in Rome to protect the Emperor selected Claudius as the supreme leader of the Roman World, his German bodyguard, and he handsomely rewarded the Praetorianstwo were located throughout Italy to maintain order.<ref> Tacitus, xi, v</ref>

By this stageInitially, the Guards had become a real power in Rome, and Claudius even issued coins bearing guards were tightly controlled by the symbol of the Imperial Bodyguardfirst Emperor, indicating their influence at this time. The Guards later conspired against Nerohowever under his heir Tiberius, who upon hearing that he had lost their support decided to commit suicide, believing that all was lostthe Praetorians became very influential. During Under the Year command of the Four Emperors (69 AD)ambitious and scheming Sejanus, they installed and deposed Galba as Emperor and sold were all concentrated in Rome. He built a base for them in the Imperial diadem to Othocity.<ref> Suetonius. Life Tacitus, The Annals of OthoImperial Rome, vix, iv</ref> Vitellius upon seizing This meant that the Praetorians were the dominant power in Rome curbed , and this continued after the power fall of Sejanus after his plot to become Emperor failed. Under the Imperial Bodyguardinsane and bloody Caligula, they became very influential in Rome. HoweverIndeed, when one of the tribunes of the Guard assassinated Caligula after being insulted by the mad-Emperor Domitian (97 AD) began to act brutally and unpredictably. After the Emperor's assassination, he was assassinatedthe guards selected Claudius as the supreme leader of the Roman World, and he handsomely rewarded the Imperial bodyguard was implicated in his deathPraetorians.<ref> SuetoniusTacitus, Life of Domitianxi, viv</ref>

For By this stage, the Guards had become a century real power in Rome, and Claudius even issued coins bearing the Praetorian Guard were controlled by a series symbol of strong rulersthe Imperial Bodyguard, especially during 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 reigns Year of the ‘five good emperorsFour Emperors (69 AD), they installed and deposed Galba as Emperor and sold the Imperial diadem to Otho.’<ref> BinghamSuetonius. Life of Otho, p. 234vi</ref> Vitellius, upon seizing Rome, curbed the power of the Imperial Bodyguard. However, when Emperor Caracalla indulged the Praetorian GuardDomitian (97 AD) began to act brutally and unpredictably, 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 of the Imperial office after killing Pertinax, who attempted to curb their power and limit their privilegesbodyguard was implicated in his death.<ref>BinghamSuetonius, Life of Domitian, p 213vi</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 For a century, the Empire fell into an existential crisisPraetorian Guard was controlled by a series of strong rulers, this is especially during the period known as reigns of the ‘Third Century Crisis‘five good emperors.’<ref>Bingham, p. 278234</ref> This However, Emperor Caracalla indulged the Praetorian Guard, and they recovered much of their power. When he was assassinated in a period when a series of solder-emperors fought for Palace conspiracy, the Empire, Praetorians took over and brutalized the Roman World fell into anarchy and economic declinecity. During this time a Praetorian Prefect In 193, Macrinusthe Guard auctioned off the Imperial office after killing Pertinax, a Thracian giant, became Emperor for a year, before being killedwho attempted to curb their power and limit their privileges.<ref>Gibbon, Edward, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (London, Penguin Books, 1985)Bingham, p 245213</ref> A series of energetic generals ended the anarchySeptimius Severus, and from Diocletian onwardsafter he became Emperor, Rome was no longer reformed the center of the Roman World. He used his soldiers as his bodyguardsPraetorians, and he ended 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 traditional Italian and Equestrian domination of the Imperial territory, and their barracks was demolished on the orders of Constantineguard.

==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 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>

====Military role Was the Praetorian Guard part of the Praetorian Guards==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, and this 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. 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 in Rome====The Praetorians On one occasion, they accompanied Germanicus as the main military force in Rome were required to carry out he quelled a wide range of duties. Despite great mutiny among the sophistication of legions on the Roman stateRhine, it had no police force or many 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 who were often threatening the only force that was able to police the citynew Emperor Tiberius. They did this was a great effect, and they helped Germanicus to ensure stability in persuade the sprawling city on the Tiberlegionnaires to return to their camps and restore discipline. Marcus Aurelius<ref> Tacitus, for example, used cohorts of the Guards to police the cityx, during his v </ref> For 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 , they were seen as the Imperial Bodyguard as last line of defense against 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 mutinous army or the position legions of an Emperora rival.

The Praetorians appear to have been used not only to guard ==Did the Emperor but also maintained their authority Praetorian Guards serve as police in Rome?==As the capital.<ref> Binghammain military force in Rome, p 117</ref> There are claims that the guards would often secretly assassinate those who Praetorians were believed required to be carry out a threat to wide range of duties. Despite the Roman state's sophistication, it had no police force or any of the Emperorother organizations that modern society takes for granted. It seems that the The Imperial Guardsmen were flexible and used Body Guard played a crucial role in emergenciesthe policing of Rome. The elite unit city was often used as firefightersa vast and diverse metropolis, alongside the urban militiaand much of it was lawless and ruled by gangs. For example, The Praetorian Guards fought a fire that threatened were often the Temple of Vesta in the great conflagration only force that engulfed was able to police the city on the Tiber, during the reign of Nero. <ref> Tacitus, xi x</ref>

====Praetorian Guards in the Provinces====While the Imperial Bodyguard They did this was mainly stationed in Romea great effect, it was not uncommon for Praetorian officers and they helped to be located elsewhere in Italy. The Praetorian Prefect was important ensure stability in the government of Italysprawling city on the Tiber. There is evidence that Praetorians could be stationed throughout Italy. Imperial Bodyguards often administered areas and urban centers in Italy. For Marcus Aurelius, for example, used cohorts of the graves of Praetorians Guards to police the city during his many long absences on campaigns against Germanic tribes. They also appear to have been found in Pompeii, where they were presumably involved in local affairsused for crowd control during the Games. It was believed that Praetorians had Many Emperors appeared to have used the Imperial Bodyguard as a role in collecting taxes and maintaining law secret police force. There are accounts of guardsmen being employed to spy on real and orderimagined conspirators. They would, presumably, ensure that the orders of the Emperor were enforced at the local level. It is believed that Praetorians were employed appear to have been used to arbitrate in local land disputes between communities, which often intimidate those who threatened to flare up into open violence.<ref>Kelpie, p 116</ref> It also appears that they were involved in the collection position 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 ItalyEmperor.

The Praetorians appear to have been used to guard the Emperor and maintained their authority in the capital.<ref> Bingham, p 117</ref> There are claims that the guards would often secretly assassinate those 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 Nero's reign. <ref> Tacitus, xi x</ref> ==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?==

Additionally, 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.

Updated December 18September 17, 20182021.