The Praetorian Guard during the Julio-Claudian Dynasty

The Julio-Claudians

Syllabus

• Working Glossary

• Sources

• Sample Notes

Praetorian Guard

• Political roles of the Praetorian Guard and army.

• Role of Sejanus, Macro, and Burrus.

Definition

• Praetorian Guard (Latin: Cohors Praetoria): Household troops of the Roman emperors.

• Existed by the 2nd century BC as bodyguards for Roman generals.

• Praetorian derived from the tent of the commanding general or praetor of a Roman Army in the field—the praetorium.

• Elite recruitment of Roman citizens and Latins.

• Emperors often employed a small separate unit of bodyguards to counterbalance the Praetorian Guard.

Augustus and The Praetorian Guard

• Augustus (Octavian) recognized the need for bodyguards after Julius Caesar's assassination.

• He recruited the Praetorian Guard from the legions throughout the provinces in 27 BC.

• Roles:

  • Bodyguard of the princeps and his family.

  • Carried letters between Princeps and governors of provinces.

  • Could detain and execute prisoners.

  • Stationed in Rome from the time of Tiberius.

  • Better pay and conditions than other soldiers.

  • Key role in accession of Gaius, Claudius, and Nero.

  • Did not engage in active military service unless on campaign with Princeps.

  • Shorter term of duty.

  • Substantial bonuses.

• Other Roles:

  • The palace guard.

  • The only military force allowed in the city of Rome.

  • Policing Rome.

  • Quelling riots in the city.

  • Intelligence units.

  • Guarding prisoners awaiting trial before the Emperor.

  • Interrogations

• Augustus created a permanent corps of nine cohorts in 27 BC, stationing them around Rome.

  • Each cohort consisted of 1000 men.

  • Commanded by two equestrian prefects: Publius Aper and Ostorius Scapula.

  • Guards carried weapons but wore civilian dress while on duty at the palace; wore elaborately decorated breastplates on parade.

  • Augustus later replaced the two prefects with one: Valerius Ligur.

• Augustus was careful to uphold the Republican veneer of his regime.

  • Allowed only nine cohorts to be formed, originally of 500, then increased to 1,000 men each, and only three were kept on duty at any given time in the capital.

  • Small number of detached cavalry units (turmae, sing. turma) of 30 men each were also organized.

  • While they patrolled inconspicuously in the palace and major buildings, the others were stationed in the towns surrounding Rome; no threats were possible from these individual cohorts.

  • In 2 BC, Quintus Ostorius Scapula and Publius Salvius Aper were appointed as two Praetorian Prefects, improving organization and command.

Tiberius

• On Augustus' death in 14 AD, Tiberius faced mutinies among the Rhine and Pannonian legions.

  • The Pannonian forces were dealt with by Tiberius' son Drusus, accompanied by two Praetorian cohorts, the Praetorian cavalry, and some of the German bodyguard.

  • The German mutiny was put down by Tiberius' stepson Germanicus, who led the legions and detachments of the Guard in an invasion of Germany over the next two years.

Sejanus

• In AD 23, Tiberius’ prefect Sejanus became their sole commander, concentrating them in fortified barracks outside Rome, gaining significant political influence.

• The entire Guard was at the disposal of the emperors, but the rulers were now equally at the mercy of the Praetorians.

• In 31, Tiberius was forced to rely upon his own cohors praetoria against partisans of Sejanus.

• The Praetorian Guard proved faithful to Tiberius, but their political power had been made clear.

• Sejanus brought the Guard from the Italian barracks into Rome itself.

• In 23, Sejanus convinced Tiberius to have the Castra Praetoria (the fort of the Praetorians) built just outside of Rome.

• He was involved in the murders of Drusus, Agrippina the Elder, her sons Nero and Drusus

• Tacitus on Sejanus: “Of audacious character and untiring physique, secretive about himself and ever ready to incriminate others, a blend of arrogance and servility, he concealed behind a carefully modest exterior an unbounded lust for power”

• Many of the maiestas were attributed to him

• He controlled the flow of information between Rome and Capri when Tiberius retired there in AD26

• Tiberius had Sejanus removed and killed once he was aware of the power amassed by Sejanus.

• Following the death of Sejanus, who was sacrificed for the Donativum (imperial gift) promised by Tiberius, the Guards began to play an increasingly ambitious and bloody game in the Empire.

Macro

• Sutorius Macro was prefect of the Guard from AD31-38 and played a vital role in the overthrow of Sejanus. Macro looked after the interests of Tiberius in Rome and also cultivated Gaius

• Tacitus states that Macro killed Tiberius in AD37; Cassius Dio states that Macro was the accomplice of Gaius in the murder

• The Praetorians assassinated emperors, bullied their own prefects, or turned on the people of Rome.

• In 41 Gaius was killed by conspirators from the senatorial class and from the Guard.

• The Praetorians placed Claudius on the throne, daring the Senate to oppose their decision.

Gaius

• Macro assisted Gaius in securing the approval of the Senate but in AD 38 he became a victim of Gaius who ordered him to commit suicide

• Marcus Arrecinus Clemens replaced Macro as prefect and became involved in plots against Gaius

• Some Praetorians and senators were involved in plots against Gaius. A tribune of the Guard, Cassisu Chaerea struck the fatal blow

• Killed by PG (Suetonius)

• Those who made him, could remove him!

• Tribune of PG found guilty of treason- Cassius Chaerea

• Ken Webb: the Julio-Claudians and the Roman Empire AD 14-69, “In fact the only group that showed any loyalty to Gaius was the PG. they had been given financial rewards, their numbers had increased and he had generally improved their conditions to make up for the death of Macro. However, Gaius’ arrogance and lack of sensitivity soon lost him this group’s support.”

Claudius

• Elevated to power by the Praetorian Guard for which he rewarded them with generous donations throughout his reign

• Gold and silver coins were minted in AD 41-42 depicting him shaking hands with guardsmen – a clear indication of the close relationship between Claudius and the Guard

• Claudius did execute Chaerea and Sabinus, the Praetorian tribunes involved in the murder of Gaius

• Rufrius Pollio and Catonius Justus were the two Praetorian prefects during his reign

• Pollio was seated alongside Claudius on public occasions which was a great honour. He also accompanied Claudius and the cohorts of the Guard when they joined the expedition to Britain. However, Claudius executed him in AD47

• B.Levick : Claudius “…The Praetorians did not have only donatives in mind: they were concerned for the very survival of their corps if the Principate as they knew it came to an end. Claudius must know as well as his predecessors what was due to a loyal Praetorian Guard.”

• K. Webb: “…The Guard would be there to protect Claudius during his reign though he faced far less serious opposition than he might have feared. Though Claudius needed the Guard , Claudius tried hard to court senate favour. He would only ever allow guardsmen into the senate house if the senators gave their permission.”

Nero

• Burrus and PG assisted him into power and have been credited with being one of the 2 stabilising and moderating influences in the good years

• Rewarded it with 400 sesterces per member

• Burrus very powerful in the early years of Nero’s reign. Agrippina had supported him by choosing him for Prefect in AD51 to secure Nero’s place as emperor after death of Claudius

• Burrus remained in the position until his death

• Although the PG had no part in death of Agrippina, it was rewarded for not intervening

• Nero Represented Piso’s conspiracy as a military victory and issued the Praetorians with military rewards, 2000 sesterces each and free grain for life.

• Also honoured the joint commanders of the Guard – Tingellinus received triumphal insignia and Nymphidius received consular insignia.

• On death of Burrus in AD62, Nero appointed Faenius Rufus and Tigellinus to command the PG. Tigellinus was depraved and pandered to Nero’s vices.

• One of Tigellinus’ first actions in office was to revive the hated treason courts

• Defected to Galba in the revolt against Nero, causing the Senate to withdraw its support for him

• Presented by sources as degenerate and one who encouraged Nero in depraved behaviours

• Defected from Nero in support of Galba in Spain=> as did the PG

• Without the support of the PG, and the Army, the Senate declare Galba the new Princeps, and thus Nero commits suicide

• K. Webb “The Praetorian Guard played a crucial role in Nero’s seamless accession. Burrus took him to the guard barracks where he was quickly hailed as imperator. Some guardsmen did query Brittanicus’ absence but a donative of 15 000 sesterces seemed to settle any doubts. Once the loyalty of the Guard was achieved, senate acceptance of the new imperator was just a matter of course. ”

• M.T. Griffin: Nero: the End of a Dynasty Regarding Tigellinus: “…His connection with Nero brought him not only great wealth but, especially after his appointment as Prefect of the Praetorian Guard in 62, considerable influence and status. After the exposure of the Pisonian conspiracy in 65 he was granted triumphal decorations and a statue on the Palatine”

• K Webb “…When Nero was faced with a full-scale revolt in AD68, his loss of the loyalty of the PG became crucial. Gaius Nymphidius Sabinus, the prefect of the PG abandoned his allegiance to Nero, and declared his support for Galba. Tigillenus was ill by now and playing a subordinate role in events. He had already secured his position by aligning himself with Galba’s legate Vinius. (Tigillenus outlived Nero but in January, AD69 he was ordered to commit suicide by Emperor Otho)”

Relationship between Emperors and the Praetorian Guard

Importance of the Praetorian Guard

• The prefect is an appointment by the Princeps only and they are answerable only to the Princeps

• They can operate as a key support group having been organised into one location in Rome

• Payments and privilege ensure a level of loyalty

• The Prefect can have a notable influence on the actions of the princeps

  • Sejanus: conduit of information to Capri, co-consul

  • Macro: ‘interprets’ the will of Tiberius to ensure Gaius as the new princeps

  • Burrus: presents Nero as the Princeps

• The guard has an increasing prominence and authority

• The power of Praetorian Guard was immense. These were the best and bravest soldiers, well paid and able to reside in the palaces of the emperor they were the elite members of the military.

• Their power led to corruption. Leading members of the Praetorian Guard gradually began to exercise their political power.

• Roman Emperors were raised and deposed at their will.

• Nero was finally dethroned by the Praetorian Guards.

• The Emperor Claudius was raised to the throne by the Praetorian Guard.

• Co-emperors Balbinus and Pupienus were assassinated on the same day by soldiers of the Praetorian guard.

• They proclaimed Marcus Aurelius Carus, commander of the Praetorian Guard, as the new emperor and put the previous emperor Probus to death in September A.D. 282.

• The Praetorian guard murdered the Emperor Pertinax and then proclaimed from the ramparts of their camp that the throne of the world would be sold at auction to the highest bidder. Didius Julianus, offered about a huge bribe to each man for the possession of the prize and was declared emperor.