Praetorian Guard

Praetorian Guard
Rom. Hist.
the bodyguard of a military commander, esp. the imperial guard stationed in Rome.

* * *

(Latin, cohors praetoria) Household troops of the Roman emperors.

In the 2nd century BC they were bodyguards for Roman generals, their name taken from the general's tent (praetorium). During the civil wars military leaders had personal bodyguards, but in 27 BC Augustus created a permanent corps to guard the emperor and stationed its members around Rome. In AD 23, with Sejanus as commander, they gained political influence; from then on, they usually had an important voice in the appointment of emperors. They were responsible for the accession of Claudius (41), the disorders of 68–69, the lynching of Domitian's murderers (97), and the murder of Elagabalus (222). Constantine I disbanded the Praetorian Guard in 312.

* * *

▪ Roman military
Latin  Cohors Praetoria,  

      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 (Sejanus, Lucius Aelius) became their sole commander. He concentrated them in fortified barracks outside the walls of Rome, gaining significant political influence for them.

      Subsequently, they generally participated in appointing emperors and were responsible for the accession of Claudius (41); the disorders of 68–69; the lynching of Domitian's murderers (97); and the murders of Pertinax (193), Elagabalus (222), and Balbinus and Maximus (238). Septimius Severus reorganized the guard in 193, recruiting its members from the legions. Constantine I disbanded them in 312.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Praetorian Guard — The Praetorian Guard (Latin: PRÆTORIANI) was a special force of guards used by Roman Emperors. Before being appropriated for the use of the Emperors personal guards, the title was used for the guards of Roman generals, at least since the rise to… …   Wikipedia

  • Praetorian Guard — noun 1. a member of the Praetorian Guard • Syn: ↑Praetorian • Hypernyms: ↑bodyguard, ↑escort 2. the elite bodyguard of a Roman Emperor in ancient Rome • Hypernyms: ↑bodyguard …   Useful english dictionary

  • praetorian guard — [[t]prɪtɔ͟ːriən gɑ͟ː(r)d[/t]] N SING COLL You can use praetorian guard to refer to a group of people who are close associates and loyal supporters of someone important. [FORMAL] …   English dictionary

  • Praetorian Guard — Praeto′rian Guard′ n. anh the bodyguard of a military commander of ancient Rome, esp. the bodyguard of the emperor …   From formal English to slang

  • Praetorian Guard — /prətɔriən ˈgad/ (say pruhtawreeuhn gahd) noun Roman History the bodyguard of a Roman military commander, especially the imperial guard in Rome …  

  • praetorian guard — A seasoned unit of the Roman army (Phil. 1:13; perhaps also Phil. 4:22) …   Dictionary of the Bible

  • praetorian guard — noun (in ancient Rome) the bodyguard of the emperor …   English new terms dictionary

  • Praetorian prefect — (Latin Praefectus praetorio ) was the constant title of a high office in the Roman state that changed fundamentally in nature.The praetorian prefect was commander of the Praetorian Guard until Constantine abolished the guard in 314. Praetorian… …   Wikipedia

  • praetorian — [prē tôr′ē ən] adj. 1. of a praetor 2. [often P ] designating, of, or like the bodyguard (Praetorian Guard) of a Roman commander or emperor n. 1. a man with the rank of a praetor, or an ex praetor 2. [often P ] a member of the Praetorian Guard …   English World dictionary

  • Praetorian — may mean: *Praetorian Guard, a special force of skilled and celebrated warriors used by Roman Emperors. *Praetorian Building, one of the first high rise buildings to be constructed in Dallas, Texas . *Praetorians (game), a 2003 real time strategy …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”