The Praetorian Guard originated as bodyguards for Roman generals in the period of the Roman Republic (509–27 BC). During the longer campaigns of the Roman army of the late Republic, the personal bodyguard unit was the norm for a commander in the field. At camp, the cohors praetoria, a cohort of praetorians guarding the commander, was posted near the praetorium, the tent of the commander. The ...
The Praetorian Guard (cohortes praetoriae) was, in the Roman Republic, a commander's personal bodyguard and then, in the imperial period, an elite force assigned to protect the emperor and Rome. Over...
The meaning of PRAETORIAN is of, forming, or resembling the Roman imperial bodyguard. How to use praetorian in a sentence.
Praetorian Guard, household troops of the Roman emperors. The cohors praetoria existed by the 2nd century bc, acting as bodyguards for Roman generals. In 27 bc the emperor Augustus created a permanent corps of nine cohorts, stationing them around Rome; in 2 bc he appointed two equestrian prefects to command them, but in ad 23 Tiberius’ powerful prefect Sejanus became their sole commander. He ...
Think U.S. Secret Service, special forces, and intelligence agencies, all rolled into one: That’s the role the Praetorian Guard played in the Roman Empire. Tasked with protecting the emperor and his family, they also wielded significant behind-the-scenes influence. Known to engage in espionage, arrests, and even killings, the guard often acted in the emperor’s best interest—by any means ...
By 23 CE, the Praetorian Guard had been stationed in walled barracks near the heart of Rome. Over the next three centuries, this elite unit would murder emperors, auction off the imperial throne, and help determine the succession of rulers.
Here is everything that you need to know about the origin story, formation and impact of the Praetorian Guard, the powerful and highly influential military units of ancient Rome.