Were there Police in Ancient Rome? DOCUMENTARY

Were there Police in Ancient Rome? In this history documentary we examine the law enforcement system of Ancient Rome. We begin by discussing the chief magistrates who presided over the law and order in the city of Rome. This includes the Consuls, Censors, Praetors, Aediles, and the Tresviri Capitales. At their disposal was a small group of lictors who functioned as bodyguards and musclemen of the law. While they may have been sufficient at first, the instability of the Roman Civil War necessitated an expansion of the police force in ancient Rome.

Under Augustus, this involved the founding of new police forces in Rome including the Praetorian Guard, the Urban Cohorts, and the Vigiles. We discuss each of their histories and their roles. Finally we look at the issues of corruption and the legacy of the institutions in the long run.

Credits:
Research: Chris Das Neves
Script: Chris Das Neves
Art: Beverly Johnson
Editing: Invicta

Bibliography and Suggested Reading
"Praetorian: The Rise and Fall of Rome’s Imperial Bodyguard" by Guy de la Bedoyere
"The Praetorian Guard: A History of Rome’s Elite Special Forces" by Sandra Bingham
"Policing the Roman Empire: Soldiers, Administration, and Public Order" by Christopher Fuhrmann
"The Vigiles of Imperial Rome" by Paul Reynolds

#History
#Rome
#Documentary

[thepepchannel]

I think battles are fun and all, but these videos about “mundane” events that affect the daily lives of the Romans do far more to bring history back to life

[dirtyjack]

See...a period drama about a urban cohort team, their interactions with the Praetorians and the vigils, the bandits they have to face, corruption, family, politics...That would be a show to behold

[jesseberg]

In the Roman justice system, the Principate is represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the Vigiles who patrol the city, and the Cohorts who defend the Imperial Household. These are their stories.

[luciano]

You've outdone yourself with these little windows into everyday Roman life. It's incredible to think of something as essential to our quality of life as the use of police officers and firemen, things we take for granted today but must've been a great leap in security back then. Augustus seems to have really improved Rome, apart from his ubiquitous propaganda. Keep on with the great content! Greetings from Argentina 🇦🇷

[neutralfellow]

12:28 - Local girl: So what do you do?
Me: I shoot balista bolts at flaming buildings to save lives

[miguelmontenegro]

Invicta: One of the major duties of the armed guards is...
Me: Oh boy, there comes something new.
Invicta: Guard People

[Uncle_Fred]

Imagine doing night patrols in ancient Rome. Much of the city was filled with dark, tight, winding corridors. That sounds like a nightmare.

[darkraven]

Normal People: Who watches History at 3:00 AM?

Me: Oh boy! 3:00 AM!

[berkleypearl]

I love so much that you have a bibliography for each of your videos. Loads people upload really great content but then don’t credit their sources anywhere. It’s so annoying when I want to do further reading. But you always provide proper sources for research an it makes me so happy

[PhiGuy]

Last time I was this early, Rome was still a republic.

[hpdpco]

Who noticed the "gifted woman" sitting in the arena?

[Stinger]

*clicks on spear infantry*

*spear infantry:* VI-GI-LES!

[MetaSynForYourSoul]

5:19 I love how the "bodyguard" is basically a "bandit" who you cleaned up and gave a uniform😆

[singlesinceforever]

having visuals to go along with these historical text is great. Thank you Invicta team for your work.

[Droll]

Were there Police in Ancient Rome?
Me: Imagine Ancient Roman version of "COPS" tv show.

[tomaszskowronski]

9:36 Saw Gladiator couple times, never noticed those magnificent tatas.

[D.Jackson]

The Praetor’s symbol, the fasces (axe and rod bundle) is still seen today in the US Army’s military police crest.

[georgeptolemy]

I told my fianceé I was going to bed, when she leaves me for being a liar I expect you to buy me a new one!

[benjamino.]

Those fasces that the lictors carried were again used as symbols of power by the fascists in 20th century Italy, mainly under Mussolini. This is where the term fascism originated from.

[brycevo]

This is so fascinating. It's so different, yet it set out modern groundwork