Units of History - The Praetorian Guard DOCUMENTARY

Summary by Krater

This video explores the history, organization, promotion, and duties of the Praetorian Guard, the elite unit of the Roman Empire. It concludes that despite their reputation as elite special forces or ceremonial relics, the Praetorian Guard acted more like political musclemen who held tremendous leverage over emperors and played a critical role in transitions of power.

From the video

Answers: Who were the Praetorian Guard?

• Praetorian Guard history
• Roman military organization
• Praetorian ranks and promotion
• Praetorian Guard equipment and appearance
• Praetorian Guard duties and political influence

What it concludes

• The Praetorian Guard were not elite special forces, dictatorial musclemen, or ceremonial relics, but served as political musclemen who held tremendous leverage over emperors.
• The Praetorian Guard were mostly removed from frontline military action and spent most of their time taking on domestic missions of a civil and administrative nature.
• The Praetorian Guard played an important role in transitions of power, frequently acting as kingmakers and occasionally assassinating emperors who fell out of favor.
• The Praetorian Guard ultimately demonstrated that absolute power corrupts absolutely and that security often comes at the price of freedom.