The Praetorian Guard: Rome's Deep State?

Few historical institutions have so dramatically revised their purpose as the Roman Empire's Praetorian Guard.

The Guard was formally established as an imperial bodyguard by the first emperor, Augustus.

And within a hundred years, the Guard would *kill* a sitting emperor -- and it was not to be the last time.

Later emperors all knew that their safety depended upon keeping the Guard happy.

So who, then, really ran Rome?

And is there any overlap between the shadow government of the Praetorians and the modern concept of a "deep state"?

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If you like Roman political intrigue and conspiracy, you'll like these videos:

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#history #rome #spqr #ancienthistory #documentary #roman #romanempire #ancientrome #praetorian #military #republic #republican #democrat #tyranny #democratic #democracy #roma #roman #militaryhistory #praetorianguard #politics

[tribunateSPQR]

Do you believe the Praetorian Guard contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire?

[cupidsfavouritecherub]

The Praetorians, the Mamluks, the Janissaries, it seems like a common theme that the men with swords always gain outsized influence once they entrench themselves in the seat of power

[BernasLL]

Your closing remarks reminded me of CGPGrey's "Rules for Rulers", which is a very instructive way of looking at these things.

[Colddirector]

I like that you mention something I think is way too understated - that in many ways, the seeds of the Empire's fall were sowed during its construction. The lack of formal succession rules, the reliance on the Praetorians, the ever increasing donatives to the army - Augustus may have taken the fracturing Republican system and reformed it into something that, well, wasn't fracturing, but the Empire practically had "not gonna last" written all over it.

[mra]

How Rome became a Militarized Police State is the framing that Behind the Bastards used to tell the story of the Gracchus Brothers through Augustus.

[geordiejones]

The early imperial balance of the legion commanders, the imperial family, the praetorian guard, the senate, and the provincial Italian aristocracy was a masterwork of empire building, but no one realized that as the Roman world ballooned in population, each region would naturally consolidate these Italy centric factions and adopt their own quasi-state within the state. Christianity itself was able to adopt such a large role in the empire because its infrastructure was built from the ground up and was going strong within a generation of Christ's death. The Roman empire ended several times and was reborn in several different ways.

[dechasrisen]

I don't think the Praetorians ever particularly exceeded the general pattern of the military. Before the third century, they didn't assassinate anyone who wasn't a terrible and destructive emperor. Pertinax and Aurelian reflect the growing power and destabilising influence of the military generally.

[CBrace]

Thanks for this, appreciate that all your videos have such a unique perspective and aren't just a recitation of facts + events

[flamenmartialis]

So the praetorian guard was a narrow elite that decided the fate of the City without involving others, especially the masses. This description more or less fits the senate. Thus it's even more ironic that we hear about the shenanigans of the praetorians from the bitter senatorial class that got a taste of their own medicine.

[ImPallasAthena]

Your videos are phenomenal guys, keep it up! :D

[King_Steffon_II]

Very similar to the Japanese Shogunate
The military usually always has the most power since they have all of the weapons

[Reathety]

I've watched two videos on this channel so far and they were both incredible.

[Ancient__Wisdom]

Excellent video - thought provoking as always

[brenokrug]

Your channel is really good! Keep up the good work and it will for sure grow in the future!

[korylytle]

Another banger with some great analysis

[jayuno]

The same could be said of the court Eunuchs in Eastern Rome and China, though their influence was less obvious than the Praetorians, they wielded significant political influence.

I think the topic of Eunuchs deserves its own video.

[alrengamao]

The Praetorian Guard was Organized by Augustus c.a. 27 B.C., and Disbanded by Constantine 1 c.a. 313 A.D.

[MedusaJellyFish]

Wow, thank you for all your wonderful Roman videos. You are a wonderful human being that brings joy to many hearts through your YouTube channel. We love you ❤🎉❤🎉❤

[flaviusstilicho]

Can you please do a video on the Germanic Batavian guard and Equites singulares Augusti the cavalry arm of the Praetorian guard

[beefcake]

Ancient Rome is a paradox. They were in architecture engineering plumbing road systems and aqueducts. But they also have the darkest side in humanity. My opinion of them is up and down.