DESCRIPTION

Praetorian Imperial Roman Army 1 Century AD 

 Unpainted Tin Figure

1:32 Scale

Manufacturer: Handmade

Material: Tin

Historical reference

The Praetorian Guard (Latin: cohortes praetoriae) was an elite unit of the Imperial Roman army whose members served as personal bodyguards and intelligence for the Roman emperors. During the era of the Roman Republic, the Praetorians served as a small escort force for high-ranking officials such as senators or provincial governors like procurators, and also serving as bodyguards for high-ranking officers within the Roman legions. With the republic's transition into the Roman Empire, however, the first emperor, Augustus, founded the Guard as his personal security detail. Although they continued to serve in this capacity for roughly three centuries, the Guard became notable for its intrigue and interference in Roman politics, to the point of overthrowing emperors and proclaiming their successors. In 312, the Guard was disbanded by Constantine the Great, as he oversaw the destruction of their barracks at the Castra Praetoria.

Praetorians originated as guards of Roman generals during the Roman Republic. They have first recorded as bodyguards of the Scipio family around 275 BC. Generals with imperium (the right to command an army) were magistrates or promagistrates, accompanied at all times by their lictors, who would act as close protection. Consuls and proconsuls had twelve lictors, whilst praetors and propraetors had six; enough to guard the general's tent in camp, but too few to be effective as a bodyguard in battle. There was no permanent bodyguard formation, so some military officers began to surround themselves with temporary units of hand-picked soldiers to ensure their security during battle. For example, during the Siege of Numantia, Scipio Aemilianus formed a troop of 500 men to protect himself against sorties, which were often directed at commanders. This practice became more widespread in the army of the late Republic, as generals remained on a campaign for longer periods. In camp, the bodyguard would sleep close to the commander, whose tent was known as the praetorium. Accordingly, the picked guard became known as cohors praetoria. In battle, these cohorts would act as a final reserve.

At the end of the year 40 BC, the triumvirs Octavian and Mark Antony both operated praetorian units of hand-picked veterans. Octavian garrisoned his praetorians within the sacred boundary of Rome, the first time troops had been permanently stationed in the city. Antony commanded three cohorts in the Orient and in 32 BC, he issued coins in honor of his praetorians. According to Paul Orose,[citation needed] Octavian commanded five cohorts at the Battle of Actium. Following his victory at Actium, Octavian merged his forces with those of his adversary in a symbolic reunification. When Octavian became Augustus, the first Roman emperor, he retained the praetorians as his personal bodyguard force.

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