Units of History - The Praetorian Guard DOCUMENTARY

A history documentary on the Praetorian Guard. Start building your own Roman Praetorians and get 20% off with our exclusive Victrix miniatures link: www.victrixlimited.com/invicta
In this history documentary we explore the legendary Praetorian Guard of the Roman Army. We begin with their origins which had its start in a tradition of bodyguard troops dating back to the Roman monarchy. In these early years, chieftains would have their elite retinue by their side both in peace and in war. During the early Republic, it became practice for allied latin units to be selected as a part of the Extraordinarii which were to camp besides a Roman general in camp and be at his direct disposal. In later years, powerful Roman generals would begin forming their own bodyguard troops such as Caesar's Germanic cavalry which accompanied him throughout the Gallic Wars. At the end of the Republic, so called Cohors Praetoriae would be used by both Augustus and Mark Antony in their civil war. In the aftermath Augustus would merge these units and institutionalize them as an important part of his new regime. From then on, the Praetorian Guard would play a key part in the history of the Roman Empire, especially when they became involved with politics in Rome and in the transitions of power therein.
Literary Sources:
"The Praetorian Guard" by Boris Rankov
"The Praetorian Guard" by Sandra Bingham
"Legions of Rome" by Stephen Dando-Collins
"Uniforms of the Roman World" by Kevin Kiley
"The Complete Roman Army" by Adrian Goldsworthy
"Roman Military Equipment" by M.C. Bishop
"Augustus" by Anthony Everitt
Credits:
Research = Invicta
Script = Invicta
Narration = Guy Michaels
Art = Penta Limited
#history
#documentary
#rome

[@Punaeased]

"These are the good lads that you can count on to never stab you in the back" - Caligula, Aurelian, Caracalla, Commodus, Galba, Elagalabus, Perinax, Balbinus and Pupienus

[@butchdeadlift7551]

Commodus deserved it.

[@FatJoe98100]

@@butchdeadlift7551 No body liked Commodus, he was kind of a dick

[@ethanc1121]

Which is why Germans were the preferred bodyguard of many emperors

[@erostheelder6831]

😭

[@erostheelder6831]

@@butchdeadlift7551 Commodus could run for President right now and he might have a chance. 🤣 OMG!! What is going on!!

[@huntclanhunt9697]

I think that disbanding the guard alone shows that Constantine was smarter than any previous emperor.

[@PRubin-rh4sr]

It wasnt like previous emperors didnt think about it, it's that they CANNOT.

[@nothisispatrick4644]

They literally can't, the Praetorians volatile as they are, are still an effective police force that could immediately be called upon at a moments notice. Removing them would simply leave a huge dent to the security of the city, and crippling the political security of the Augustus. Constantine got away with it because the Praetorians of his time were already pretty redundant and functionally useless to him. The city of Rome is no longer the center of the empire as it has been, Roman Emperor's since the 3rd century crisis were increasingly spending less time on the city to run round the provinces to repel barbarian attacks. Just think of it like Constantine getting rid of a tumor, The Praetorians were now unnecessary to him and a complete drain on the empires finances so he cut them off.

[@MrBubblecake]

It’s a sad day when realizing something as simple as that makes you smarter than all the men who held the position before you. He was also smart enough to have a legion on standby while disarming the praetorians and sending them off. Which again should have just been common sense lol The praetorians should have been disbanded after the 2nd or 3rd backstab, it’s kinda like how Antigonus handled the silver shields after they brought him their own commander. You can’t trust men who were willing to backstab their former commander, because now they’ve started to believe they can get rid of their superiors whenever they don’t satisfy them

[@curranlakhani]

Excellent video, the Praetorian Guard is probably one of the most infamous units of antiquity, where they morphed from being an elite unit of soldiers who protect the Emperor, to a unit that attempted to control them. Another unit that went through a similar transition are the Janissaries. A video on the Janissaries would be amazing! Keep up the great work @Invicta

[@engelstody7171]

After I got upto 300K trading with expert Valerie yarvin.I bought a new House and I'm now able to send my kids to a better school in the states thanks to Mrs Angela Cole Carr. When someone is straight forward with what he or she is doing people will always speak up for them.

[@chriscormac231]

@@engelstody7171 feck off scammer!

[@Progamermove_2003]

The difference is that Janissaries stayed loyal for a couple of centuries, while Praetorians were corrupted within a single generation.

[@shamsishraq6831]

A big difference (and often not understood) between Janissaries and the Praetorian Guard is that the latter was disloyal despite their rising living standards. Meanwhile, the Janissaries lost a lot of their real wages (hyperinflation from Spanish gold and silver), and the expensive(apparently effective, even though brutal) devshirme process was phased out in favor of local recruitment. Not just that, they were allowed to learn a trade (since their wages were not sufficient anymore) and marry, so there was not even any difference left between the ordinary troops and Janissaries other than their "elite" status. All pomp and no performance. To make matters worse, they got themselves in an unholy alliance with the local clergy and aristocracy (keep in mind that Janissaries owned land now and the recruitment process was no longer meritocratic), so any attempt to reform them was now "unIslamic" and generated undue resistance.

[@lettuceman9439]

Varangians and swiss strived chadily

[@eminguso1512]

Here's some ideas for future episodes: a) Napoleon's Imperial Guards b) Polish Winged Hussars c) Ottoman Jannisary d) English longbowmen e) Black Watch...

[@jarhead1031]

It’s been said before but the quality of these videos is simply amazing. Hats off to the animators, scriptwriters, researchers, editors, and the entire production crew for giving us such amazing and accessible information

[@InvictaHistory]

Thanks! I'll be sure to pass that praise along!

[@kjnewell7243]

You mean to tell me the narrator isn’t the only creator of this channel… rubbish!

[@NobleKorhedron]

@@InvictaHistory: Someone's asking for you to cover the Janisssries on another comment...

[@benjaminguilatcoiv]

@@InvictaHistory they were more corrupt than the finest, and yes the corrupt can fight well too definitely more ruthlessly... even now it turns out in America's forces the most elite are the most corrupt.. it seems to be 'axiomatic' of this fallen world, the closer to power the more corrupt, like seeks like.. ( and America's 'praetorian guards' are the same )

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

Augustus: "I shall appoint the Praetorians as my personal guard. They sure will protect me and the following emperors with absolute loyalty..." *Centuries later* Praetorian Guards: "WHERE IS THE F*CKING MONEY, PERTINAX?" Pertinax: "It's down there somewhere. Let me take another look..." Praetorian Guards: *Plunge his head back into the Tiber*

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

Treasurer: But, Emperor, you can't just make more coins to make up the difference, it'll bring down the value of the currency! Didius Julianus: Yeah? Well that's just like, uh, your opinion, man.

[@GeorgeEstregan828]

That's some gangsta shit

[@comraderoman4299]

Big Lebowski reference lfg

[@PRubin-rh4sr]

Praetorians in their traditional capacity has been around way before Octavian.

[@longhairdontcare122]

Well done sir. 😊

[@Sakai070]

There has never been a better time than here and now for lovers of History looking for entertainment that educates. We are spoiled for choice, and this channel is among the very best. I thank you.

[@avalle4493]

100% agree. The History comunity in KZbin is making History love grow like never before.

[@JemHadar422]

I agree, the 90s were good with history channels on TV. However today these are master works!

[@mihaiszilagyi9987]

I was so happy when I have found out that Constantine disbanded them. Most of the empire’s misfortunes can be traced back to the pretorian guard. Never forget Aurelian.

[@etiennesharp]

Dr. Bingham was my PT at the University of Edinburgh. Good to see her (superb) book get a shout-out in the description.

[@frankthetank8050]

Oh they sound to be quite the stalwart and loyal bunch. Ever shifting loyalty, flickering like a candle in the wind. How impressive!

[@Raz.C]

If I had to choose the absolute BEST legions ever to represent Rome, it would have to have been Caesar's 9th and 10th legions. The 9th legion always held the left flank with the 10th always holding the right flank. Both were the farthest legions from Caesar in any battle and both legions consistently performed better than any other. At Pharsalus, the 9th had to hold their ground longer than any other legion, while the 10th was responsible for rolling up Pompey's left flank and starting its rout.

[@paprskomet]

It is sort of impossible to select any single legion and declared it "the best".You are talking about institution that was used for almost 1000 years and during that time it underwent several changes.

[@Raz.C]

And yet, caesar himself personally and quite publicly, repeatedly favoured the 10th legion. There's even a bit of a joke related to how the 10th got its name as Legio X Equestris, all because caesar continually favoured it. During the civil war, the optimates were always fearful of the tenth legion. After they were retired, they were brought back by Marc Antony and also by Augustus, too!!

[@paprskomet]

@@Raz.C there were other legions brought back hovewer. If 10th was regarded so very special by Caesar than it is surprising he did not entered Italy using its services although that was the most risky decision of his life. No matter what feelings Caesar might personally have for 10th legion it still does not make it something anyone can proclaim best Roman legion as if that is something that can be measured in exact terms.

[@Raz.C]

@paprskomet If you read his Gallic Wars books, you'll find numerous instances where he publicly singles the tenth legion out for praise. If that seems like too much work, there's probably a lot of information online able the 10th, that is more condensed, but just as illuminating.

[@Raz.C]

@paprskomet I think it was a self-fulfilling prophecy, in some measure. By that, I mean: the 10th was without a doubt Caesar's best performing legion (followed closely by the 9th, the other Spanish legion). Because of this, he singled out the 10th for praise, which made them try even harder, which made them perform even better, which made him praise them more, which made them try even harder... If you study all of the battles through Gaul and against migrating Germanic tribes (such as the Suebi), as well as the incursions into Germania and the civil war against the optimates, you'll always see the 10th legion smashing through enemy lines, setting attackers to rout and otherwise performing the impossible. That's not to say that every other legion was useless. Not at all. Caesar would have been fucked if that was the case. No, it's just that the 10th was the best, by far, of his amazing legions.

[@theicepickthatkilledtrotsk658]

F in the chat for the Restitutor Orbis, Emperor Aurelian.

[@johntaylor7029]

Hope that scribe is proud of himself.

[@Vayne122]

F

[@rgm96x49]

It still hurts...

[@alespoljansek1563]

F

[@badgamemaster]

F F F F F F

[@atomicsquid3345]

Not gonna lie, I was impressed to see Victrix advertising in this video. And yes I am going to be getting a few sets of their Late Roman troops very soon.

[@mennorach]

So.. we could call the late era Praetorian Guard a rich and highly selective political party interested manly in maintaining the systems that allowed them to exist and get rich..? They acted like one and the requirements for admission closed a lot of people outside the unit/party. Interesting video, keep them coming!

[@Brandonhayhew]

They became corrupted. Constantine the great abolished

[@W47689]

Alot like most systems in place in today's age. Using corruption as tool to keep themselves in place.

[@philly83]

I'm like a kid with a new toy whenever I see a new release from your wonderful team

[@well-blazeredman6187]

The scariest words ever heard in Rome: 'Sire, we'd like you to be our new emperor. And don't worry about your safety; the Guard will have your back covered.'

[@martinhejc327]

Love Victrix! I allready have 350+ figures from Victrix ( Celts , Cartagians , Iberians , Numibians to Vikings and Saxons ) Once you get Victrix you dont want other figures♥️

[@sergiovieira8272]

I would love a vídeo about the French Imperial Guard, especially the Old Guard, Les Gronards. Or the Canons of the Holy Sepulcher.

[@InvictaHistory]

Definitely want to cover that!

[@RexGalilae]

The Old Guard were beasts among men. Physically imposing, most experienced and fanatically loyal. They saw no action at Waterloo but if they did, they could've turned the tide alone. Too bad they'd lay down their lives to cover the retreat of the Armee du Nord in the aftermath They were everything the Praetorians could have been.

[@brianaguila6925]

@@RexGalilae Iirc,they were with Germanicus during the Battle of the Angrivarian Wall. Early imperial era guards were competent with time and conditions reducing their quality.

[@RexGalilae]

@@brianaguila6925 The OG Praetorians were basically Julius Caesar's old guard and Germanicus commanded the very next generation Not surprising that they were formidable

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

@@RexGalilae Just watched Waterloo the other day, and both scenes (although not accurate) bring a tear to my eye.

[@blainerdude1217]

I'd love to see a video on the Roman's Batavian guard too

[@jozzieokes3422]

Same here

[@andremesot5144]

As always : wonderful video ! Big congrats for your amazing work

[@johntaylor7029]

"No one with that much drip can ever be trusted" A Ceaser, probably Claudius.

[@patrickdc8396]

An exellent video! Really appreciate the depth and detail you go into. Have you considered doing Napoleon's Imperial Guard? Keep it up!

[@jessepacheco6020]

Thank you for this belated Christmas gift Invicta!

[@davidhughes8357]

Another absolutely great video without peer. You are amazing!

[@p03saucez]

Been looking forward to this one for a while. Invicta you guys are the freakin best. Roma Victrix my dudes.

[@calvins4940]

An excellent piece of work, I watched it twice.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Excellent historical coverage video about praetorian guards of Roman empire armies that introduced .. thanks for sharing

[@shawnbeckett1370]

Awesome as always

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the information in this video ⚔️

[@JJoftheOakleaf]

been waiting for this one!

[@miguelcamacho4595]

Great final reflection, great video

[@sokar2sokar]

Great video 👍🏅 Thanks 👏👏👏

[@christopherthrawn1333]

Excellent work here Sir

[@Desire123ification]

Excellent Video! 💯

[@medicorene]

Beautiful video, thank you.

[@stratagos4610]

very glad you remade this video

[@troy242]

Great video! Really well done.

[@johnlansing2902]

Well done ! Thank You .

[@bleekskaduwee6762]

You should do episodes about Roman Auxiliaries(such as Batavian horse), the German Guard and the Singularian horse

[@paprskomet]

Germanic not "german".

[@jmac6055]

Germanic also known as modern day: Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Netherlands, Lithuania etc.

[@bleekskaduwee6762]

@@paprskomet sorry all the sources I have read always refer to it as the German Guard not the Germanic Guard. I am not saying your wrong just that I have never heard it called that before

[@paprskomet]

@@bleekskaduwee6762 point is that there is difference in "german" and "germanic". It is very common to refer to "german tribes" in english but english speakers(scholars included) are ocassionally aware that "german" is misleading word so they use "germanic" instead. Ironically german language do makes a difference between "german" in the sense of modern people of germanic roots from modern state of Germany and "germanics" - that is ancient germanic peoples who are not limited just on modern Germans of Germany.

[@bleekskaduwee6762]

@@paprskomet interesting, thank you for clearing that up for me.

[@the_SolLoser]

Epic ending. Well done.

[@keller1334]

Well earned 1.3m subscribers. Always a treat to watch your videos.

[@Armorius2199]

Have you thought about covering more Guard units from the Byzantine Period such as the Excubitors or the Scholai Palatinae?

[@AdrianGarcia-ww1ik]

Thank you, Invicta, for still conveying time relative to "BC/AD" terms. It's very much appreciated.

[@pabloaguilar3075]

This is amazing. Thank you so very much

[@ConservativeArabNet]

Excellent research and presentation

[@1Stevencat]

Keep up the good work

[@adyseven1]

Amazing 👏

[@jpminiaturepainting8459]

Great Video!! I have been painting Victrix Models for years, Some of my Roman’s are actually in the early clips with the side by side video of them charging!! Such a cool Colab.

[@Summer_Sausage]

Heyyyoooo, finally doing the king makers. About time🔥👍

[@themosticonicscenesinmovie8737]

Great video as always. I would like to see video about Sassanid war elephants and urban cohorts.

[@alejandrosakai1744]

Another Roman unit that can you cover is the Dromedarri (Camel cavalry), these were used in Syria!

[@InvictaHistory]

We've teamed up with Victrix to bring you 20% off Legionary miniatures: www.victrixlimited.com/collections/invicta

[@moreDLCdaddy]

I thought you already had covered them a long time ago. I mean fair enough if you guys wanted to improve upon the quality. :)

[@InvictaHistory]

@@moreDLCdaddy it's an overhaul on the graphics and we significantly expanded the service history section

[@leetreys_lab7027]

Improving previous videos and expanding on already covered content is always gonna be a win, as the viewer we want to be taken back in time to see what it was really like, since that's not possible you could make 100 videos on the praetorian guard and it wouldn't get old so long as it takes us a little bit closer each time to what the real thing looked like

[@ThomasTheLukeEngine]

Have you guys made a video on the Winged Hussars?

[@samym1694]

@@InvictaHistory Great now try cover the units about Rhodian Slingers like what you did to Balearic Slingers or how about Cretan Archers? How about Auxiliaries of Roman Army?

[@sillytrooper]

amazing vid!

[@joesanchez979]

Great Roman history 👍

[@rjweiss1]

Great video!

[@brokenbridge6316]

Nicely done video

[@gremlingaming16]

I’m a VERY visual learner and right-brained when it comes to pretty much anything. The animations, colors and style of your channel’s work has helped me to understand, remember and retell tremendously! Thank you!

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

Constantine: *Dissolves the Praetorian Guard* Praetorian Guards: "DAMN YOU!!! NOW WHO ARE WE GOING TO KILL EVERYTIME WE GET BORED?!" 😡

[@RealtimeDoc]

Excellent Work!!!!

[@robbabcock_]

Wonderful video! ⚔🙏👍

[@yellowcub86]

Babe wake up! I know you’re off work but @Invicta uploaded a new video

[@theairmenrager6556]

Loved the video.

[@georgepatton93]

all Romaboos know that if we ever have a time machine, the first thing we do is go back in time and convince Augustus to disband the Praetorians ASAP

[@alexandrub8786]

Weren't half of the emperors they killed tyranns or incompetents?

[@ordotectonicus8585]

@@alexandrub8786 They've killed good and bad emperors. I'd say their negatives far outweigh their good deeds

[@johntaylor7029]

Nah just keep paying them more, I'm sure that'll secure loyalty.

[@georgepatton93]

@@alexandrub8786 tell that to Aurelian

[@alexandrub8786]

@@georgepatton93 why do you think i said half? The other being "meh" to "Aurelian". Aurelian is just "the exception"

[@JustAskingquestions10]

Didnt you make a video like this 7 years ago? Both are amzing keep up the work👍👍👍

[@anubisd613]

Oh boy, a new video from Invicta ! Oh... THEM

[@dadaching1608]

I Love your videos can you make videos about medieval units Like ottoman Janissaries, Winged Hussars, Teutonic Knights etc

[@williestreiff9314]

These are very educational videos

[@oOHAyAtOo]

Great video and very nice to listen to narrator. Bravo.

[@ezekielfisher8974]

Excellent video! Could you do a units episode on the evorcatii?

[@ChapterGrim]

The relationship between evocati and praetorians has always intrigued me...

[@MMadesen]

I would love a video on the Prussian Guard Units of the "Langen Kerls".

[@hazey9514]

Loved this video man i have recomendation on a topic would you consider doing some videos on the fall of the holy roman empire?

[@rdf4315]

I would like to see y'all do a video about the knights of the garter and William Marshall.

[@mihaiionita5648]

As mentioned in other comments, a video on the Ottoman Janissaries would be great!

[@magimon91834]

Victrix!!!!!

[@MCorpReview]

First thing that comes to mind is Maximus shouting praetorian then finishing him off. No one beats the max 😮

[@abrarhuq860]

Please make a video regarding Janissary

[@evo1ov3]

Finally a narrator's voice that sounds like they made it more than halfway through puberty.

[@samwill7259]

On one hand you want all your best guys watching the guy in charge On the other hand you REALLY never wanna get to the point to where the enemy is getting that close to the emperor

[@zippyparakeet1074]

Could you please cover the Tagmata of the Byzantine Empire?

[@user-tw8nh3fh2y]

👍👍👍😎😎😎AWESOME AWESOME VID

[@abrarhuq860]

Pls make a detail vid about Janissary pls

[@MBP1918]

Nice

[@williamjeffery9653]

Praetorians: "Who are you?" Varangians: "I'm you but loyal."

[@menmamadrigal1233]

To be fair here varangians also had other jobs that kept them busy like constantly hunting pirates, slaughtering bandits, acting as jailers and patrolling the borderlands which meant they never got bored or complacent enough to even bother

[@robertvermaat8949]

@@menmamadrigal1233 After Manzikirt when Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes was defeated by Sultan Alp Arslan, a palace coup was staged before he could return to Constantinople - instead of defending their absent emperor, the Varangians were used by the usurpers. The Varangians were not loyal to emperors, just to the person who held the throne (and their pay).

[@paprskomet]

That is pretty common misconception to imagine Varangians as perfectly loyal.They were also not always loyal,they were also sometimes revolting and also involved in kingmaking machinations.

[@ace1776]

A good donative will get you far my friend. 😉🤝

[@flashgordon1262]

i have some of those models and they are good!

[@whitewave16]

Geeking out on this video! The Praetorians are one of the most enigmatic units in history!

[@borawserboxer]

How am I halfway in and still haven't heard a comparison to the secret service? Did I miss it?

[@astahfirula]

Please follow this up with an episode on the papal swiss guard.

[@fogwar]

The Imperial Guard of Napoleon would be a great one to cover next!

[@Morgs1Shangrila]

Please do the Gaelic Gallowglass next :D

[@bryanjustinlacierda9706]

Quality content, can you do the French Imperial Guard next?

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

So we’re getting a remake of an old episode, but we still haven’t gotten an episode on late kingdom early republican Roman Army units. (This is not a complaint, merely an observation.)

[@vastcarter]

Trueeeeee I was thinking the same thing

[@christopherthrawn1333]

Best wishes for you in 2023.

[@p_pattedd5477]

They finally remake it after six years!

[@kiyanmyth1734]

Please do a video about Kizilbash unit in the Savafid and Afsharid empires

[@ae-jo5gc]

A video about Hakkapeliitta a cavarly wich served under Gustavus Adolphus in the 30 years war.. Or Charles XII elit guard Drabanterna.

[@motoross9237]

Vitrix gets it. We love playing with ARMY MEN

[@MrBatraaf]

Thumbs up for the intro already!

[@MikeIsCannonFodder]

The soldier mini you kept showing didn't skip leg day!