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[[File: Praetorian Guard One.jpg|200px250px|thumbthumbnail|left|Praetorian Guards from the 1st century AD]]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.

====The Praetorian Guard Composition====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.  [[File: Praetorian Guard ThreeFor 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.jpg|200px|thumb|left|The Battle guards also played a meaningful role in the administration and policing of the capital of the Milvian Bridge]]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 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, 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 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 Did the Praetorian Guard==Guards serve as police in Rome?==During the decline of the Roman Republic, the various generals who competed for power and influence often created their own personal 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 personal 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 As the Praetorian Guard. One was stationed main military force in Rome to protect the Emperor, along with 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 and he built required to carry out 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 wide range of Sejanus after his plot to become Emperor failed. Under the insane and bloody Caligula, they became very influential in Romeduties. Indeed, 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 as the supreme leader of Despite the Roman World and he handsomely rewarded the Praetorians <ref> Tacitusstate's sophistication, , xi, v</ref>. By this stage the Guards it had become a real power in Rome and Claudius even issued coins bearing the insignia no police force or any of the Imperial Bodyguard, indicating their influence at this timeother organizations that modern society takes for granted. 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 temporarily curbed the power of the Imperial Bodyguard. However, when Emperor Domitian (97 AD) began to act in Body Guard played a tyrannical and unpredictable manner he was assassinated and the Imperial bodyguard was implicated crucial role in his death<ref>Suetonius, Life of Domitian, vi</ref>. For a century the Praetorian Guard were controlled by a series policing of strong rulers, especially during the reigns of the ‘five good emperors’ <ref> Bingham, pRome. 234</ref>. However, Emperor Caracalla indulged the Praetorian Guard and they recovered much of their power. When he The city was assassinated in a Palace conspiracy they brutally dominated the city. In 193, the Guard auctioned of the Imperial office after killing Pertinax, who attempted to curb their power vast and limit their privileges<ref>Bingham, p 213</ref>. Septimius Severusdiverse metropolis, after he became Emperor, reformed the Praetorians and he ended the traditional Italian and Equestrian domination much 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 it was a period when a series of solder-emperors fought for the Empire lawless and the Roman World fell into anarchy and economic declineruled by gangs. During this time a The Praetorian Prefect, Macrinus, a Thracian giant, became Emperor for a year, before being killed <ref>Gibbon, Edwards, 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 own 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 often the frontiers of the Imperial territory and their barracks only force that was demolished on able to police the orders of Constantinecity.

====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 German bodyguard of sprawling city on the EmperorTiber. Marcus Aurelius, howeverfor example, used cohorts of the Guards were by far the most formidable military force in the capital. This and their unique access to police the Emperor meant that they were in a position to intervene in Imperial affairscity during his many long absences on campaigns against Germanic tribes. The Emperor came They also appear to depend on the Guard have been used for his safety and over time the Imperial bodyguard began to become ‘conscious of their power’ <ref>Bingham, p 167</ref>. The ruler of crowd control during the Roman World was at their mercy if they acted in unison and decisivelyGames. They Guards were instrumental in the deposition of countless Many Emperors the exact number is unknown. The Praetorians because of their proximity appeared to have used the absolute ruler of the known world knew that his power was 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 a secret police force and that they had a monopoly on violence in Rome. As a result, the Imperial Guard played a huge role in the history There are accounts of the Empireguardsmen being employed to spy on real and imagined conspirators. They had the ability, which the Senate did not appear to have of making and unmaking the absolute ruler of the Roman world. It should be remembered that the guards could only depose Emperors been used to intimidate those who were weak or during times of crisis. For threatened the majority position 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>an Emperor.

====Military role of the Praetorian Guards====The Imperial Praetorians appear to have been used to guard was a formation of the army Emperor and they were often deployed by Emperors maintained their authority in the fieldcapital. The Praetorian cohorts <ref> Bingham, p 117</ref> There are claims that the guards would often accompanied Emperors on secretly assassinate those believed to be a threat to 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 RomeEmperor. It was not uncommon for seems that the Imperial Bodyguard to take part Guardsmen were flexible and used in the battle and they were regarded as an emergencies. The elite unit, who was often used when as firefighters alongside the outcome of a battle was uncertainurban militia. On one occasion they accompanied Germanicus as he quelled For example, Praetorian Guards fought a fire that threatened the Temple of Vesta in the great mutiny among conflagration that engulfed the legions city on the Rhine, who were threatening the new Emperor TiberiusTiber during Nero's reign. They helped Germanicus to persuade the legionnaires to return to their camps and restore discipline <ref> Tacitus, xi 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 Did Praetorian Guards serve outside of Rome==?==The Praetorians as While the main military force Imperial Bodyguard was mainly stationed in Rome were required to carry out a wide range of duties. Despite the sophistication of the Roman state, it had no police force or many of the other organizations that modern society takes was not uncommon for grantedPraetorian officers to be located elsewhere in Italy. The Imperial Body Guard played a very Praetorian Prefect was important role in the policing government of RomeItaly. The city was a vast and diverse metropolis and much of it was lawless and ruled by gangs There is evidence that Praetorians could be stationed throughout Italy. The Praetorian Guards were Imperial Bodyguards often the only force that was able to police the city. They did this was a great effect administered areas and they helped to ensure stability urban centers in the sprawling city on the TiberItaly. Marcus Aurelius, for For example, used cohorts the graves of the Guards to police the city, during his many long absences on campaigns against Germanic tribes. They also appear to Praetorians have been used for crowd control during the Gamesfound in Pompeii, where they were presumably involved in local affairs. Many Emperors appeared to have used the Imperial Bodyguard as It was believed that Praetorians had a secret police force. There are accounts of guardsmen being employed to spy on real role in collecting taxes and imagined conspirators maintaining law and they appear to have been used to intimidate those who threatened order. They would, presumably, ensure that the position orders of an the Emperorwere enforced at the local level. The It is believed that Praetorians appear were employed to have been used not only arbitrate in local land disputes between communities, which often threatened to guard the Emperor but also maintained their authority in the capitalflare up into open violence.<ref> BinghamKelpie, p 117116</ref>. There are claims that the guards would often secretly assassinate those who were believed to be a threat to the Emperor. It seems also appears that the Imperial Guardsmen they were flexible and used involved in emergenciescollecting taxes. The elite unit was often used as firefighters, alongside exact role of the urban militia. For example, Praetorian Guards fought a fire that threatened the Temple of Vesta in the great conflagration Italian provinces is unknown, but it appears that engulfed the city on the Tiber, during they played an important role in the reign administration of Nero <ref> Tacitus, xi x</ref>Italy.

====How important were the Praetorian Guards in the Provinces==Guard?==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 Guards were an important institution in the government history of Italy. There is evidence that Praetorians could be stationed throughout Italy. Imperial Bodyguards often administered areas and urban centers in ItalyRome. For example, They were used to guard the graves of Praetorians have been found in Pompeii, where they were presumably involved in local affairsEmperor and to protect his person and his family. It This was believed that Praetorians had a role critical task in collecting taxes and maintaining law and orderany autocracy such as the Roman Empire. They wouldHowever, presumably, ensure that the orders of the Emperor were enforced at the local level. It is believed that Praetorians they were employed to arbitrate in local land disputes between communities, which often threatened a privileged position to flare up into open violence <ref>Kelpie, p 116</ref>. It also appears that they were involved determine if an emperor should stay in the collection of taxespower. The exact role of the Praetorian in Guards never ousted a strong Emperor, but the Italian provinces is unknown but it appears that they played an important role Imperial bodyguard was often a destabilizing factor in the administration of ItalyImperial politics.

====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. HoweverAdditionally, 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 . Still, they also played a very important 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.

B. Rankov, . <i>[https://www.amazon.com/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, Penguin, 1994). 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 University Press, 2017)

de la BédoyèreEchols, Guy (2017)Edward. Praetorian"The Roman City Police: Origin and Development." <i>The Rise and Fall of Rome's Imperial BodyguardClassical Journal</i> 53, no. Yale8 (1958): Yale University Press.377-85

EcholsSmith, EdwardR. E. "The Roman City Police: Origin and DevelopmentArmy Reforms of Septimius Severus." The Classical Journal 53<i>Historia: Zeitschrift Für Alte Geschichte</i> 21, no. 8 3 (19581972): 377481-85500

SmithCollins, RA. EW. "The Army Reforms Casperius Aelianus, Trajan and the Mutiny of Septimius Severus97 AD." Historia: Zeitschrift Für Alte Geschichte 21, no. 3 <i>Acta Classica</i> 56 (19722013): 48155-50061.