Praetorian Guard

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The Praetorian Guards were an elite branch of the Roman military dedicated to protecting important Roman figures. Originally, the Praetorians were the bodyguards of Roman generals during the 2nd Century B.C.E. However, by 27 B.C.E. the emperor Augustus created a permanent corps composed of nine cohorts led by two prefects (this was later changed to one). When Sejanus became the sole prefect of the Praetorians, he had the cohorts protect the walls outside of Rome and stationed on barracks.

The Praetorians have played a significant role in the politics of the Roman Empire, being responsible for the accession of Claudius, the murders of Elagabalus and Pertinax, and the lynching of Domitian’s murderers. By 193 the cohorts began to recruit from Roman legions as well as citizens of Rome, and were present in battles on Roman borders as well. The Praetorian Guard Corps were disbanded in 312 C.E. by Constantine the First.