Praetorian Guard

The Praetorian Guard (sometimes Prætorian Guard) (in Latin: praetoriani) comprised a special force of bodyguards used by Roman emperors. Before them it was used by warlords, back at least to the Scipio family — around 275 BC.

Organization and conditions of service

Although the Praetorians have similarities, they are unlike any of the regular Legions of the Roman Empire. Their 9 (1 less then a legion) cohorts were larger, the pay and benefits were better, and its military abilities were reliable. They also received gifts of money called Donativum from the emperors. As conceived by Augustus, the Praetorian cohorts totaled around 9,000 men, recruited from the legions of the regular army or drawn from the most deserving youths in Etruria, Umbria, and Latium (three provinces in central Italy). Over time the pool of recruits expanded to Macedonia, Hispania Baetica, Hispania Tarraconensis, Lusitania and Illyricum. Vitellius formed a new Guard out of the Germanic legions, while Septimus Severus did the same with the Pannonian legions. He also chose replacements for the units' ranks from throughout the Roman Empire.

Related Topics:
Legions - Roman Empire - Cohorts - Donativum - Etruria - Umbria - Latium - Macedonia - Hispania Baetica - Hispania Tarraconensis - Lusitania - Illyricum - Vitellius - Germanic - Septimus Severus - Pannonia

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Around the time of Augustus (c. AD 5) each cohort of the Praetorians numbered 1,000 men, increasing to a high-water mark of 1,500 men. As with the normal legions, the body of troops actually ready for service was much smaller. Tacitus reports that the number of cohorts was increased to twelve from nine in 47. In 69 it was briefly increased to sixteen cohorts by Vitellius, but Vespasian quickly reduced it again to nine. Finally in 101 their number was increased once more to ten, resulting in a force of 5,000 troops, whose status was at least elite.

Related Topics:
Augustus - 5 - 47 - 69 - Vitellius - Vespasian - 101

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The training of guardsmen was more intense than in the legions because of the amount of free time available, when a cohort was not posted or traveling with the emperor. The Guard followed the same lines as those elsewhere. Equipment and armour were also the same with one notable exception — specially decorated breastplates, excellent for parades and state functions. Insignia of the "Moon and Stars" and the "Scorpion" were particularly associated with the Praetorians. Thus, each guardsman possessed two suits of armor, one for Roman duty and one for the field.

Related Topics:
Parade - Armor

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• The Praetorians received substantially higher pay than other Roman soldiers in any of the legions, on a system known as sesquiplex stipendum, or by pay-and-a-half. So if the legionaires received 225 denarii, the guards received 375. Domitian and Severus increased the stipendum (payment) to 1,500 denarii, distributed three times a year in January, May and September.

On special occasions they received special donativum from the emperor.

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Upon retiring, a soldier of the Praetorians was granted 20,000 sesterces (5,000 denarii), a gift of land, and a Diplomata reading 'to the warrior who bravely and faithfully completed his service." Many chose to enter the Evocati, while others reenlisted in the hopes of gaining further promotion and other possible high positions in the Roman state.

Related Topics:
Sesterces - Warrior

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Rank and file

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Ranks of the Praetorian Guard, in ascending order

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MilitesRegular soldiers

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ImmunesAfter five years these soldiers were allowed to serve in the Equites singulares (cavalry branch) or as Speculatores (special agents)

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PrincipalesLegionary administrators

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EvocatiAfter 16 years of service, retirement was possible but most soldiers chose to stay in this honorary unit.

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CenturionesSoldiers transferred to the Praetorian Guard after service in the legions, the Vigiles or the Urban cohort

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TribuniThese officers also from the legions and usually of the Equestrian class, commanded a cohort. Centurions could rarely be promoted to the Tribuneship

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ProcuratoresA rank of the Equestrians

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PraefectusAvailable to the Vigiles and urban cohorts; the highest rank in the Praetorian Guard, head of the Praetorian Guard

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• Prefect(s) in command of the Praetorian Guard

See the article Praetorian prefect, which also lists the incumbents of the post of Praefectus praetorio and covers the essentially civilian second life of the office, since ca 300 AD, as administrator of a quarter of the empire),

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