Praetorian Guard

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The **Praetorian Guard** (Latin: *cohortes praetoriae*) is an elite unit of the Imperial and Royal Armed Forces whose members served as personal bodyguards and intelligence for the Predaconian emperors. During the era of the Rifarian 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 legions. With the republic's transition into the Imperium, however, the first emperor, Augustus, founded the Guard as his personal security detail.

## Requirements

**Requirements for Praetorian Guard candidates:**

* under 35 years of age at entry, and at their prime
* at least 10 years of service
* at least three campaigns (in reality, those having served in least 12 campaigns are only ever admitted, unless they are truly extraordinary)
* had to have faced enemy fire at the front

## *Equites Singulares Augusti* (Personal Cavalry of the Emperor)

The ***equites singulares Augusti*** (lit: "personal cavalry of the emperor" i.e. imperial horseguards) are the cavalry arm of the Praetorian Guard. However, they do not include light cavalry, but only

### Regiments

* the ***Scholae Palatinae*** (Greek: *Σχολαί*, "the Schools"; English: *Palatine Schools*), the most senior unit.
* the ***Excubiti*** or *Exkoubitores* (English: *the Sentinels*, Greek: *Ἐξκούβιτοι*).
* the ***Vigilia*** (Greek: *Βίγλα*, English: *the Watch*); the regiment performs special duties on campaign, including guarding the imperial camp, relaying the Emperor's orders, and guarding prisoners of war.
* the ***Hicanati*** (Greek: *Ἱκανάτοι*, English: *the Able Ones*).
* the ***Immortalis*** (Greek: *Ἀθάνατοι*, English: *Immortals*); the name derives from a- ("without") + thanatos ("death").
* the ***Vardarioti*** (Greek: Βαρδαριῶται, English: *Vardariots*) of Magyar origin.
* the ***spatharii*** or ***spatharioi*** (singular: Latin: *spatharius*; Greek: σπαθάριος, literally "spatha-bearer").
* the  ***Vestiaritai*** (Greek: *βεστιαρῖται*, English: *Vestiarians*); the regiment is mainly guard of the treasuries.

### Rankings and Organisation

(Master of the Horse)
All cavalry
(Domestic Commander)
(Regiments)
(Battalion)
(Squadrons)

## Rankings

### Entire Praetorian Guard

#### Praetorian Prefect

The **praetorian prefect** (Latin: *praefectus praetorio*, Greek: *ἔπαρχος/ὕπαρχος τῶν πραιτωρίων*) is a high office in the Imperium. Originating as the commander of the **Praetorian Guard**, the office gradually acquired extensive legal and administrative functions, with its holders becoming the Emperor's chief aides.

### *Protectores Domestici* (Infantry cohorts)

#### Tribune

Each of the five Praetorian infantry cohorts is lead by a **tribune** (Latin: *Tribunus praetoriae*). These tribunes are *eques*, and not Senatorial class, as is customary in the legions.

#### Centurion

A centurion (Latin: *centurio*; Greek: *κεντυρίων*, *kentyríōn* or *ἑκατόνταρχος*, *hekatóntarkhos*), is an officer who leads a group of 500 men — a century.

### *Speculatores Augusti* (Imperial Scouts)

#### *Trecenarius*

The Trecenarius is the First and foremost of the Centurions, and leader of the *Speculatores*. The rank brings great prestige and opens a shot at being Praetorian Prefect — if in good graces of the Emperor.

## Organization

* Cohort: 3000
* Century: 500