Uploaded November 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Full video: youtu.be/SFXStbcdMIQ

This video begins with the origins of the Praetorian Guard, which had its start in a tradition of bodyguard troops dating back to the Roman monarchy. In these early years, chieftains would have their elite retinue by their side both in peace and in war. In later years, powerful Roman generals would begin forming their own bodyguard troops such as Caesar's Germanic cavalry which accompanied him throughout the Gallic Wars. At the end of the Republic, so called Cohors Praetoriae would be used by both Augustus and Mark Antony in their civil war. In the aftermath, Augustus would merge these units and institutionalize them as an important part of his new regime. From then on, the Praetorian Guard would play a key part in the history of the Roman Empire, especially when they became involved with politics in Rome and in the transitions of power therein.

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