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hawk

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  1. hawk

    Praetorian Guard

    I just now read a book about Praetorian Guard. It was writen by Boris Rankov and I can recommend it too. Praetorian Guard The Praetorian Guard was formed by the emperor Augustus to help prevent assassins from reaching the emperor and murdering him as Brutus and his companions had murdered Julius Caesar. It was called by that name in imitation of the Praetoria Cohors, or select troop, which attended the person of the praetor or general of the Roman army. This cohort is said to have been first formed by Scipio Africanus out of the bravest troops, whom he exempted from all their duties except guarding his person. I suggest it was one of the best ideas but the same guards exists in many states in different times. At first time there were very hard selection for enrolment to Guard but then only good protection can help for it. Nevertheless the Guard was might power in the Imperator's hands but could be a strong independent weapon which can be directed against any Imperator. Tiberius assembled them all at the great Praetorian Camp (Castra Praetoria) in Rome. In 23 AD this huge and strongly fortified camp was established in the eastern suburbs of the city by their notorious commander, Lucius Aelius Sejanus. Tiberius gradually gave much of his power to Sejanus, the commander of the Praetorian Guard. Sejanus used his position to murder his enemies accusing them of plotting to assassinate the emperor and other acts of treason. The Praetorians soon became the most powerful body in the state, and like the janissaries at Constantinople, frequently deposed and elevated emperors according to their pleasure. After the Praetorian Guard murdered Caligula they made a significant contribution to the imperial appointment of Claudius who was the first of the Caesars who purchased the submission of the soldiers with money. Even the most powerful of the emperors were obliged to court their favor and they always obtained a liberal donation upon the accession of each emperor. Well, each Imperator tried to have his own Guard because it was dangerous to use the Guard which was faithful to previous Imperator.
  2. hawk

    Augustus' Bullet-proof Vest

    Never read about it earlier. Augustus didn't like as hot as cold weather and wore many worm clothes in winter time. Maybe this fact gave rise to such hearsays?
  3. hawk

    The Arval Brethren

    Sounds like nightmare... I like paganism, but don't like madhouse.
  4. hawk

    Family History Of The Artorii

    There are several Artorii inscriptions in Rome and Ostia, but those are all associated with flamen of Flora, a commander of the Praetorian Guard, and families who moved to those locations to be near Artorii soldiers who were stationed in Rome or with ships in Ostia. There is an opinion that Artorii had Etruscan origin because a praenomen Artor (Etr. ar-thur, cf. vel-thur, etc.) sounds like Etruscan name. We cannot know about it for sure though.
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