In a rare show of imperial strength, the new emperor Vitellius disbanded the praetorian guard, replacing it entirely with his men. Otho’s reign, however, only lasted for three months. Avoiding Galba’s mistake, his successor Otho rewarded the guard.
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Less than a year after he was installed with their support, the Emperor Galba was assassinated by the Praetorians. The infamous “ Year of the Four Emperors ” was an exercise in praetorian supremacy. The praetorians, whose influence and power were by now apparent, were instrumental in toppling the Julio-Claudian dynasty, when they abandoned Nero in the favor of Galba in 68 CE. This veritable fortress not only gathered all praetorian cohorts in one place, but also became a striking symbol of their growing power and influence.Ĭoins of Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, Via The British Museum, London Under Augustus’ successor, Tiberius, the powerful praetorian prefect, Lucius Aelius Sejanus, convinced the emperor to build the guard’s headquarters – Castra Praetoria – at the edge of the city. Despite Augustus’ best efforts, the guardsmen’s proximity to the source of power increased their influence and ambitions. From 2 BCE, the unit was led by two praetorian prefects, while the emperor retained personal command. To further emphasize their loyalty, the praetorian guard never obeyed senators, but took orders from an equestrian (an aristocrat of lesser rank) instead, who reported directly to the emperor. In disguise, they could operate efficiently as secret police, easily blending with the rest of the crowd. While in Rome, praetorians did not wear armor, choosing white-colored togas instead. In one of his poems, Juvenal recalled the nail left in his foot by the sandal of a praetorian, who ran over him. The power delegated to the unit by the emperor was considerable, thus aristocrats and commoners alike feared the guardsmen. They served less than other soldiers and earned a better wage (perhaps three times more than ordinary legionaries would). For a start, all guardsmen enjoyed superior service conditions. The numbers, however, do not reflect the importance and prestige of the praetorians. Initially, the praetorian cohorts were dispersed tactfully around Italy, but during the reign of Augustus’ successors, all the troops (around ten cohorts, a thousand men each) would be stationed at the edge of Rome, with three cohorts active in the city at any given time. Statuette believed to be a praetorian, 2nd century CE, Via the British MuseumĪs the Emperor’s personal guard, the praetorians were the only military unit allowed to carry arms in the capital. Thus, the praetorian guard was born, becoming the ruler’s sword and shield. Caesar’s untimely death was still fresh in his mind when Augustus formalized the praetorian cohorts into a permanent unit, loyal only to the emperor. But the control of the city of Rome remained critical for the emperor’s personal safety.
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With the Roman world finally at peace, Octavian, now known as the Emperor Augustus, discharged most of the troops, posting the remaining legionaries on the frontiers of the empire, rather than in Italy. Among his trophies were the praetorian cohorts of his rival. The victor, Julius Caesar ’s grand-nephew Octavian, inherited not only the entire state but also all the soldiers – those who fought for and against him. The importance of the praetorian cohorts (“praetorian guard” is a modern term) increased during the bloody civil wars that extinguished the Republic. In a camp, the bodyguard would stay close to their commander, whose tent was known as the praetorium (thus the unit’s name). Please check your inbox to activate your subscription Thank you!
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In the end, these ambitious soldiers went too far, and Emperor Constantine the Great permanently disbanded the Praetorians in 313 CE.
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Their proximity to the source of power and their monopoly on carrying arms in the imperial presence made the guards influential power brokers.įor three centuries, the praetorian guard not only protected emperors, they also conspired against them too, assassinating several. The praetorians were the secret police, frontline soldiers, and occasionally even volunteer firemen in the city of Rome. These soldiers were more than just bodyguards. After his victory in the bloody civil war, Emperor Augustus, now the sole ruler of the Roman Empire, officially established the praetorian guard. One of the most elite Roman military units, known as the Praetorian Guard, started as a prestigious group of bodyguards loyal to the Roman generals and leaders of the Late Republic. Proclaiming Claudius Emperor, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, 1867 with relief of a praetorian from Puteoli, 51-52 CE