The Praetorian Guard: the real power behind the Roman emperors

The Praetorian Guard was an elite military unit of ancient Rome that served as the personal bodyguard of the Roman Emperor.

Their origins can be traced back to the Roman Republic, when they were originally created as a small force of bodyguards for the commander-in-chief of the Roman army.

The first recorded use of the term "praetorian" comes from the year 275 BC, when the consuls appointed soldiers to act as his personal guards during his term in office.

During the late 1st century BC, the praetorian cohort was increased in size and importance, and they began to serve as the personal bodyguard for the emperor.

Under the reign of Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, that the Praetorian Guard became a permanent and elite force.

Augustus reorganized the Praetorian Guard into nine cohorts, each composed of 1,000 soldiers, and stationed them in Rome in a large fortress known as the Praetorian Camp.

Becoming a member of the Praetorian Guard was a highly sought-after position in ancient Rome, as it brought with it prestige, power, and the opportunity to serve the Roman Emperor.

Initially, the Praetorian Guard was composed of soldiers who had already served in the Roman army and had distinguished themselves in battle.

These soldiers were selected by the commander-in-chief or the emperor himself, and their loyalty was considered paramount.

However, as the Praetorian Guard grew in size and importance, the selection process became more structured.

Candidates for the Praetorian Guard were typically chosen from among the best soldiers in the Roman army.

In the latter period of imperial history, as the guards became more political, fewer of the Praetorians had military experience, as they focused more on manipulating internal politics.

As the personal bodyguards of the Roman Emperor, the Praetorian Guard had unparalleled access to the emperor and his inner circle.

This gave them considerable political influence and the ability to shape the course of Roman history.

In addition to their political power, the Praetorian Guard enjoyed numerous privileges and benefits.

They were paid a higher salary than regular soldiers, had better living quarters, and were given access to more luxurious food and equipment.

They were also allowed to wear distinctive uniforms and carry special weapons, such as short swords and daggers.

The Praetorian Guard's influence extended beyond their role as personal bodyguards to the emperor.

They were responsible for maintaining order in the city of Rome and had the authority to enforce law and order within the city walls.

This gave them significant power over the civilian population and made them a force to be reckoned with.

However, the Praetorian Guard's power was not absolute. They were still subject to the authority of the emperor, and any attempt to overstep their bounds or betray their loyalty was met with swift and severe punishment.

As the personal bodyguards of the Roman Emperor, they had unparalleled access to the emperor and his inner circle, which gave them a great deal of political influence.

One of the most crucial ways in which the Praetorian Guard became influential in Roman politics was their power to acclaim or depose the emperor.

This power gave them significant leverage over the political process, as the emperor's support was essential for any politician to succeed in Rome.

The Praetorian Guard's support could make or break an emperor's reign, and as a result, they often wielded significant influence over the selection of the emperor.

Another way in which the Praetorian Guard influenced Roman politics was through their role in deciding who would succeed the emperor in the event of his death or abdication.

The Praetorian Guard often played a crucial role in deciding who would become the next emperor, and they were known to sell their support to the highest bidder.

This often resulted in political instability and civil unrest, as different factions vied for the Praetorian Guard's support.

The Praetorian Guard was not above political maneuvering to achieve their goals. They often used their influence to push their preferred candidates for political office, and they were known to engage in bribery and corruption to achieve their ends.

This gave them considerable leverage in political negotiations and made them a force to be reckoned with in the political arena.

The Praetorian Guard was also a powerful military force, and they were not afraid to use their military might to intimidate politicians and ordinary citizens alike.

This gave them considerable leverage in political negotiations and made them a force to be reckoned with.

They also had control over the dissemination of information in Rome, which gave them a great deal of control over public opinion and made them even more influential in Roman politics.

Lucius Aelius Sejanus, the commander of the Praetorian Guard under Emperor Tiberius in the early years of the 1st century AD, became one of the most powerful men in the empire, largely thanks to his control of the Praetorian Guard.

Sejanus used his influence to consolidate his power and undermine his political rivals. After Emperor Tiberius withdrew from Rome and retired to the island of Capri, Sejanus gradually took control of the capital.

Sejanus began to consolidate his power, purging those who opposed him and promoting those who supported him.

However, Sejanus' ambitions eventually led to his downfall. In AD 31, Tiberius received information that Sejanus was planning to stage a coup and overthrow the emperor.

Tiberius immediately ordered the arrest of Sejanus and his supporters. Sejanus was executed, and the Praetorian Guard was purged of his loyalists.

After the assassination of Emperor Caligula in AD 41, the Praetorian Guard immediately declared its support for Caligula's uncle, Claudius, who was hiding in the palace at the time.

According to the Roman historian Suetonius, the Praetorians found Claudius hiding behind a curtain and proclaimed him emperor on the spot.

Claudius was surprised but quickly accepted their support and he was formally proclaimed emperor.

The Praetorian Guard's decision to proclaim Claudius as emperor had significant consequences for Rome.

Claudius was not a popular choice for emperor, as he was widely regarded as a weak and ineffective leader.

However, with the Praetorian Guard's support, he was able to consolidate his power and establish his rule over Rome.

The Praetorian Guard's support also had significant consequences for the future of the Roman Empire.

It marked the first time that the Praetorian Guard had openly declared its support for a candidate for the imperial throne, and it set a precedent for future emperors to rely on the Praetorian Guard for their support and protection.

The Praetorian Guard played a crucial role in the notorious period of Roman history known as the 'Year of the Four Emperors', which occurred between AD 68-9.

At the time, the Praetorian Guard was commanded by Gaius Nymphidius Sabinus, who had served under Nero. When Nero died, Sabinus saw an opportunity to seize power for himself and declared himself the new emperor.

However, as the Roman general Galba marched on Rome, the Praetorians turned on Sabinus and killed him. They then declared their support for Galba as emperor.

However, Galba's rule was short-lived, and he was assassinated by the Praetorian Guard in January 69 AD.

The Praetorian Guard then proclaimed Aulus Vitellius as emperor, in part because they believed he would be more lenient towards them than Galba had been.

However, Vitellius' rule was also short-lived, and he was quickly challenged by the general Vespasian, who had the support of the legions in Judea.

The Praetorian Guard initially supported Vitellius, but they quickly switched their allegiance to Vespasian when it became clear that he was likely to emerge victorious.

After the assassination of Emperor Pertinax in AD 193, the Praetorian Guard was responsible for choosing his successor.

They put the imperial throne up for auction and accepted Julianus' bid of 25,000 sesterces per guard, which amounted to an enormous sum of money.

Julianus' reign was also marked by instability and opposition from various factions within the Roman military.

In particular, the governor of Syria, Septimius Severus, who had been declared emperor by his troops, marched on Rome with his army to challenge Julianus' claim to the throne.

When the Praetorian Guard refused to fight for Julianus, he was left defenseless, and Severus' troops easily overran the city.

The Praetorian Guard's decline began in AD 312, when Emperor Constantine disbanded them and replaced them with a new imperial bodyguard called the Scholae Palatinae.

The Praetorian Guard had become increasingly corrupt and politically influential in the years leading up to their dissolution. 

Their decline was also influenced by the increasing military power of provincial armies.

These armies, which were made up of soldiers from the provinces rather than Rome itself, had become increasingly influential in Roman politics and often played a decisive role in the selection of new emperors.

After Constantine disbanded the Praetorian Guard, their former barracks were destroyed.