Praetorian Guard COBI 20072 - Imperium Romanum

Did you know that:

• The first preserved mentions of the origin of the guard unit date back to 509 BC. 
• The military unit known today as the Praetorian Guard was founded by Emperor Augustus in 27 BC.
• The guard was composed exclusively of the best and most loyal soldiers, carefully selected from legions proven in battle.
• The members of the guard served as the emperor's personal bodyguard.
• Interestingly, the costs of the guard were paid directly by the emperor in times of peace, and in times of war, the guard was almost continuously financed from public funds.
• The total number of soldiers was up to 7,000 men, divided into smaller units called cohorts.
• The emperor's palace was guarded by a total of three cohorts, including the most prestigious "Praetorian Cohort Prima".
• In addition to protecting the emperor, the guards assisted in extinguishing fires, floods, or supervised the distribution of food and the peaceful conduct of games.
• A special unit of spies, translators, and couriers known as "Speculatores" was also at the service of the guard.
• Over time, the Praetorian Guard became more powerful than the emperor and completely influenced the events of the Roman Empire.
• Eventually, Emperor Constantine opposed the guard and disbanded the unit after the battle in 312.

Technical Equipment:

• Commander: helmet with plume, short sword (gladius), dagger (pugio), heavy sandals, colored cloak.
• Guard: galea helmet, gladius sword, two pugio daggers, scutum shield, heavy sandals, water pouch.

From Emperor Tiberius' Decree:

"Let only the one who is endowed with unconditional loyalty to us, to Emperor Tiberius, a man of order and virtue with lips that shall not speak of the secret and state of the empire, become a member of the Praetorian Cohort Prima."