The Gangs of Rome - Secret History DOCUMENTARY

A history documentary on the Gangs of Rome! You can claim your own turf with Established Titles! Go to establishedtitles.com/INVICTA10 and help support the channel. They are now running a massive sale, plus 10% off on any purchase with code INVICTA10.
While Rome was famed for establishing Law and Order across its Empire, in reality imperial authority did not extend very deeply into society. Thus in the power vacuums of antiquity, "unofficial" groups moved in to fill the void. In this history documentary we cover the gangs of Rome which occupied the political, religious, economic, sports, and military aspects of society.
The first section explores Roman Law and Order to establish a baseline for between the official and unoffical powers. We then look at the clientela and collegia which operated in the political sphere and how these gangs famously came to blows in the late Republic. We then turn to religion where various cults were seen as secret cabals working the shadows. Next we look at the publicani of the economic sphere, the chariot factions of the sports sphere, and finally the various groups in the military sphere.
00:00 Intro
01:39 Law and Order
05:40 Political Gangs
11:45 Religious Gangs
16:38 Economic Gangs
20:29 Sports Gangs
22:37 Military Gangs
Credits:
Research = Dr. Christina Hotalen
Script = Dr. Christina Hotalen
Narration = Invicta
Art = Penta Limited
Primary Sources
Suetonius, Life of Augustus
Livy, History of Rome
Apuleius, the Golden Ass
Cicero: De Domo Sua, De Officiis, De Haruspicum Responsis, De Provinciis Consularibus, Epistulae ad Atticum, Epistulae ad Familiares, Epistulae ad Familiares, In Pisonem, Pro Caelio, Pro Milone, Pro Sestio.
Josephus, Jewish War, Book 7, 8.2
Pliny, Ep. 10.33-34
Secondary Sources:
Garrett G. Fagan, “Urban Violence: Street, Forum, Bath, Circus, and Theater,” in The Topography of Violence in the Greco-Roman World, edited by Werner Riess and Garrett G. Fagan, 231-248. University of Michigan Press: Ann Arbor, 2016.
Thomas Grünewald, Bandits in the Roman Empire: Myth and Reality, translated by John Drinkwater. Routledge: London, 1999.
Jill Harries, Law and Crime in the Roman World. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 2007.
A.W. Lintott, Violence in Republican Rome, Oxford University Press: Oxford, 1968.
Jeffrey Tatum, “Gang Violence in the Late Roman Republic,” in The Cambridge World History of Violence, Vol. 1, edited by Garrett G. Fagan, Linda Fibiger, Mark Hudson and Matthew Trundle, 400-418. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 2020.
Werner Riess, “The Roman Bandit (Latro) as Criminal and Outsider,” in Social Relations in Roman World, 693-714. Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2012.
W. Nippel, (1984) “Policing Rome,” in JRS 74: 20-9
Garrett G. Fagan, “Roman Violence: Attitudes and Practice,” in The Cambridge World History of Violence, edited by Garrett G. Fagan, Linda Fibiger, Mark Hudson and Matthew Trundle, 550-571. Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 2020.
Richard Billows, Julius Caesar: the Colossus of Rome. Routledge Press: New York, 2009.
Franz Steiner and Verlag Stuttgart, Elections and Electioneering in Rome: A Study in the Political System of the Late Republic, 1999.
#history
#documentary
#rome

[@InvictaHistory]

You can learn more about Law and Order in Rome with this primer video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH6QXnadob-Jbbs. I'd love to follow up with a look at pirates, bandits, and rebels. What other topics should we cover?

[@fjk1728]

gangs have always existed and will always exist as long as humanity exists, it is good for the state and mass control so that you do not have any other revolutionary thoughts, that is why they never eliminate them

[@wrecktitudemedia6514]

Dude, Established Titles is a friggin scam lol it's literally an unregistered u.k. company operating in Chinese controlled Hong Kong.

[@daniel-fs2ux]

Units of History of ancient Athens. Sparta, Macedon and Thebes were already covered, wonder if Athens will as well.

[@mjanny6330]

@Wrecktitude Media came to the comments to say exactly that lol.

[@daveswietlik6291]

Amazing video as always Invicta

[@oddish2253]

HBO Rome is still better than the last season of Game of Thrones. This reminder is brought to you by the guild of millers. The guild of millers only uses the finest grain. True Roman bread, for true Romans.

[@henripentant1120]

Something tells me that guild of “millers” is not all whole grain

[@Jacbtheguy547]

Better than all seasons

[@smity739]

" bloody good orders."

[@Will-tn8kq]

Pluto’s cock! You speak truth!

[@gaiusiuliuscaesar3809]

XIII

[@yochaiwyss3843]

"This Violence is provided by the Guild of Millers. True Roman Knuckle Sandwich, for True Romans."

[@jacobprice2579]

Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus moving in for the kill

[@Argos-xb8ek]

13th!!!!!

[@jacobprice2579]

@@Argos-xb8ek XIII!!!!!!!!

[@Countdooku97]

I am a son of Hades !

[@santoss.8150]

"The boy was paid, no offense has been committed"

[@LookHereMars]

"Look here Mars, look here Mars. I am Titus Pullo, these bloody men are my gift to you."

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

*Fun fact:* Speaking of chariot factions, even the most important members of Roman society used chariot races for ideological motivation. For example, the green team used to be chosen in chariot races by Agrippina the Elder and her followers, since Emperor Tiberius, who presumebly poisoned Agrippina's husband Germanicus, detested the team and considered a victory for the greens a triumph of his enemies.

[@thatromanguy1906]

i see you everywhere dude

[@merrittanimation7721]

Not in Rome, but the Nika riots were probably the most dramatic example of chariot faction power.

[@jonathanj8303]

There's a whole bit in I Claudius/Claudius the God about this, but I don't know how much it's verifiable history and how much just narrative.

[@Will-tn8kq]

Did you notice “The Greens” are the rebel faction in House of the Dragon? I think it’s a reference to the anti-Tiberius faction being the Greens also.

[@MusMasi]

@@merrittanimation7721 that happen in constantinople?

[@amadeusamwater]

Rome's fire brigade was several thousand strong and very effective. It was staffed by slaves who could win their freedom with enough years service, so many were long time professionals. During the great fire of Nero's time, they nearly had the fire beaten, until arsonists started setting fires behind them.

[@waynemarvin5661]

The fire brigades, such as Crassus', didn't exist until the late republic. Privately run, with a subscription offered.

[@henripentant1120]

Both of you are right. Private people could press their slaves into security details, fire, confidential services, etc at any given time alongside eirenarchs and vigiles. Like Gangs of NY you could have ‘public’ and private brigades fight it out in the street at times. Crassus’ brigades probably started as many fires as they put out

[@AB-gk8cs]

As far as i know it was in the first decades of the Principate, that a permanent fire brigade was established by the emporer. Bevore this, there were several private funded attempts - including Crassus (in)famous troop, which was highly effective but sometimes a little bit to quick at the scene of the fire. Almost as if they knew it beforehand...😉

[@amadeusamwater]

@@AB-gk8cs That seems to be what I read. It numbered several thousand by mid century and was said to be very effective.

[@MuddieRain]

“The guild of Millers use only the finest grain and baking pans. True Roman bread, for true Romans!”

[@thewayfarer8849]

Who else here thought of Lucius Vorenus's scene from Rome, with the Concord statue?

[@Dutchball]

I AM A SON OF HADES!

[@PenTheMighty]

@@Dutchball "I f*** Concord in her a**!"- Lucius Vorenus

[@AnvilMAn603]

that scene annoyed me a bit, they were doing so well using roman names for gods but then they just had to slip in a greek name

[@AxenfonKlatismrek]

Batiatus from Spartacus: blood and sand is the mafia boss of his ludus. Look at his actions and tell me they don't resemble gang behaviour

[@robwalsh9843]

There are so many possibilities for great mystery/crime films or tv series in Rome. A show about a Roman detective during the early Empire or during the Byzantine period would be something I'd watch.

[@midnightgod123]

Look up the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries. Basically detective tales in rome

[@adamprice3466]

Rome stuff usually goes right to Julius Caesar

[@benjammin9471]

Columbus

[@mikepette4422]

i'd love it too

[@PrezVeto]

I agree that would be fascinating. I'm reminded of what happened to HBO's Rome series, though. Making the sets and costumes authentic and immersive was so expensive that they killed it after just a couple seasons. I do wonder whether those costs could've been made more bearable had they prepared for them better or known what they do now after that experience. Sets and costumes can be reused, after all, so their cost should be more bearable the longer the show goes on. That's presumably what they were thinking too.

[@midnightgod123]

For anyone who wants to read about crime novels in ancient Rome, the Marcus Didius Falco Mysteries which is about an detective, an "Informer" who is also an imperial agent

[@henripentant1120]

Steven Saylor’s “Gordianus the Finder” series and Richard Blake’s Death of Rome, even though they take place in very different eras, are both good looks at Roman society too I def recommend.

[@aaronthompson192]

Thanks for the recommendation. John Maddox Roberts "SPQR" series is another.. Bored patrician's son gets involved with mysteries. Milo is one of his friends. Good dry humor and lots of history.

[@pinkandfluffysuperwokeblok9859]

Organised crime! In Italy! No way!

[@MrTsiolkovsky]

The mafia is in fact as old as the republic itself.

[@Right-Wing-Meth-Squad]

nonsense! it's like saying there were corrupt politicians engaged in sexual scandals, or that there were subversive Jews using usury to fuck people over... in Italy!? LOL! CANARDS! LIES!

[@alejandrosakai1744]

In Ancient Rome, Etruria, or Magna Graecia! 😱

[@gaiusiuliuscaesar3809]

How do you think they get elected?

[@alejandrosakai1744]

@@gaiusiuliuscaesar3809 if it is a democratical fraud!

[@NoName-uf6rf]

That discussion on the Cult of Bacchus is very eye opening especially considering the future crackdowns on cults later in the empire’s history

[@TheMelbournelad]

Heavy breathing for those living in Bacchus Marsh in Melbourne Australia. Explains a lot

[@TheSaneHatter]

Indeed: perhaps the later, forced adoption of Christianity from the top down was, among other things, a reformist attempt to put an end to this kind of activity once and for all.

[@conorhenderson8537]

Not cult but cultus or Bacchus Sect of Roman Faith.

[@Ratraccoon]

@@TheSaneHatter I am bigging to think the Early Christians had a religious mafia. Look at what happened to Hypatia.

[@jonhall2274]

They're all skydaddy cults, who worship literally genocidal psychopaths, and hypocrisy is their M.O. They("Allah, Jesus, God, Yahweh" or whatever you call them)are no different from other multithousand year old, mythological imaginary fantasy fairytales like Odin, Zeus, Athena, Jupiter, Ra, ect.

[@valmarsiglia]

Established Titles is owned by a Chinese marketing firm based in Hong Kong, which of course has no more right to grant anyone a Scottish title than they do to make anyone king of the Moon. You are not in any way buying, renting, leasing, or in any way possessing any land in Scotland; the land you're "buying" has been "sold" to multiple suckers already and will continue to be "sold" to new suckers. The company also owns all the "competitor" businesses. The Scottish government has spoken out against this scam.

[@samiulhaq5373]

Its always those chinese

[@redflags6583]

That's a weird way to portray Clodius and Milo. Usually they look more like differently colored squares than anything

[@Raz.C]

This reminds me of that time in ancient Greece, when a lawmaker (Charondas) made a law that upon pain of death, no one was to carry weapons in the Assembly. Some time later, the city was attacked by brigands. While leading a group of armed militia against these brigands, the lawmaker found himself armed and in the Assembly. In order to uphold his own law, Charondas cut his own throat.

[@concept5631]

That's hardcore as fuck.

[@lilith4961]

Gang rule is another thing that Rome of Antiquity had on common with our current world. Its wild how so many aspects of our lives were experienced by the Romans too! I wished they had had social media it would probably be so similar to ours too lol

[@mattipps]

People don't change, technology does.

[@BrokenWingsDarkAngel]

They *did* have social media: the graffiti archeologists find all over Ancient Roman public walls. It performed pretty much the same function, with the same mentality as the social media today.

[@fluttzkrieg4392]

Society always changes yet it stays the same.

[@lilith4961]

@@fluttzkrieg4392 yes and we should make a drinking game out of that phrase

[@echostarling84]

That poor roman mother. First the cultist are flailing around and then the sports arena is making a killing.

[@colinbarnard6512]

Yes, this is a documentary. A damn good one. A mini-university lecture. Thanks, all!

[@CambyBolongo]

Except a University lecturer would spend the majority of the time pointing out that the amount of sources for this isn't as copious as they would like.

[@BadVideoWatcher1]

Don't forget about the Sopranvs. Though Carminvs did always say they were just a glorified cohort...

[@godking]

Antonivs never had the makings of a varsity charioteer.

[@galanopouloc]

_"Twenty years in the legions I wanted Parmigiano, but I compromised. I ate grilled cheese off a stick on Hadrian's wall."_ -Phillipvs Leonardicvs, probably.

[@thabomuso2575]

Great. I have waited fo a video like this for such a long time ever since I read about the criminal gangs in Rome. I also requested such a documentary. I think that it should be expanded witha longer timeline and more gangs. It is an intriguing topic on so many levels. Not the least since it is arguably our first historical criminology lessons.

[@Noneya5555]

Extremely informative and interesting. Definitely plan to watch this again, as I do many of your videos. I'm also a fan of your livestream. As usual, well done! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@RomanvonUngernSternbergnrmfvus]

My issue/question was with the use of the term equity at around the 2 min work, Iam very itchy about the term and it’s use these days.

[@big1dog23]

The mini series "Rome" featured gangs, gang war fare and both Cesare's and Augustus's attempts to keep peace using gangs. Seemed pretty realistic to me.

[@markus717]

Any of these Roman series available on Netflix?

[@markymark5090]

@@markus717 On HBO

[@antonvernooy6186]

thank you for sharing the little know history of The Gangs of Rome. I am happy for channels like this, as without them I would no insight into these more obscure parts of history. Thank you for getting these videos together for the people.

[@ManiusCuriusDenatus]

Erastes Fullman: Certainly was the OG on the Aventine.

[@TheRemover469]

FLAVIO!!!!!!

[@ManiusCuriusDenatus]

@@TheRemover469 Flavio isn't coming...

[@prestonyannotti7661]

The fact you can pump out these amazing videos frequently makes me happy!

[@acer_0961]

Your videos are always the best and have taught others and I lots. Thank you

[@edwardbirdsall6580]

I found this report to be informative, and very well done. Thank you for the excellent work.

[@trikepilot101]

Since you used it twice, I feel I must correct you: If there is a great variety of something it "runs the gammut" which kind of originated as "all the notes of a musical scale." To "run the guantlet" means to move between two lines of people and be attacked by both lines until you come out the other end. It was a form of corporal punishment practiced by some militaries in the past.

[@Hazyg503]

Good stuff man been watching your videos for years brotha keep up the great work! Cheers from Oregon!

[@InvictaHistory]

Thanks! This has been a topic I've long wanted to cover and am excited to share

[@aightimmaheadout3573]

This always fascinated me soo much, thank you!

[@armartin0003]

It's amazing how many of these instances of "stuff you had to deal with in ancient times" have been reinvented and exist today.

[@robbabcock_]

Awesome video! The gangs of Rome is a fascinating topic and their power was surprising to a modern viewer.

[@brunol.8608]

1:16 My mans Invicta is rocking some fine Roman drip 😳

[@BiLLYboomBOOM]

This video is amazing. Good job man.

[@timmcclymont3527]

Y-ESSSSSSS! YES! YESSSSSSS! When I say I'm hyped for this video, that's a massive understatement.

[@Uzair_Of_Babylon465]

Fantastic video keep it up your doing amazing job

[@OptimusMaximusNero]

For those of you interested in the Cult of Bacchus, the Steven Saylor's novel "Roma" dedicates a section of the book to the cult. One of the protagonists, who feels an unrequited sexual attraction to his close friend Scipio Africanus, decides to fill the void caused by such heartbreak by joining the cult of Bacchus and becoming his priest, initiating new members to the cult by anally penetrating them. Once the Cult is banned, the priest commits suicide just as the lictors head to his house to arrest him.

[@kleinenfuchse5365]

Now that's awesome news 👌🏻

[@DISTurbedwaffle918]

Lol Sodomite commits 40%

[@BarnabyCodswallow]

is this... native advertising?

[@henripentant1120]

O good recommendation

[@mr.husbandoeu7254]

Well that's... New...

[@TheAlmightyAss]

This is one of my gripes with the otherwise excellent first series of Rome. It would have been so cool to see a few years previous, with Clodius' and Milo's street gangs running rampant and the political intrigue and infighting that was rampant.

[@zyphar7323]

Hey Invicta team! a video on greek democracy and politics would be nice to see. Thanks

[@AlSidre]

I love this look at Roman Society 😍 your channel is amazing 👏

[@champisthebunny6003]

Re: Military gangs, HBO's Rome had a scene where some ex-legionnaires discuss how they are willing to carry out some shady activities for Titus and Pullo. Its quite clear, from the way they talk, these (unhappy) discharged ex-soldiers, clearly got together and formed well...a gang.

[@d0nutwaffle]

Talking about organised crime with established titles as the sponsor is quite fitting

[@Roberthindsight]

Amazing video once again guys.

[@mikemoreno4469]

Fascinating, as always.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

Wonderful historical coverage

[@Thetruth66399]

I love you for making this. I now remember who I once was. Thank you sir.

[@dimitrijejovanovic5939]

I can't get enough of the Roman history 🤩

[@nd8zk]

good work 👏🏻

[@gdd2959]

Awesome video thank you!

[@henripentant1120]

The point about collective memory of the Cult of Bacchus conspiracies affecting Romans’ reaction to Christianity is very interesting.

[@brokenbridge6316]

Nicely informative video

[@felixheitzer2262]

Very cool and thought inducing 👍

[@Emp6ft10in]

Great video!

[@daniel-fs2ux]

Will the military units of ancient Athens be covered? Macedon & Sparta's units were already made, therefore wondering if Athens would be next.

[@waynemarvin5661]

Greek military formations were generally the Phalanx, with adaptations. No match for Rome's manipular legions.

[@daniel-fs2ux]

@@waynemarvin5661 Yes, I am aware of that, that’s a combat formation. But I am talking about military units specifically, such as the Perioikoi, Skiritae, Hetairoi, Phezethairoi, etc. Wondering if Athens did have anything like that.

I love your contents.😘

[@aurelcorstan5242]

It is amazing to see how the client system exists in the mafia even today. And speaking of clients, there was a time when Pompey had literal kings as his clients. That is such an absurd amount of practical power that it boggles the mind.

[@concept5631]

And yet, he bled out on the Nile River a refugee of the country he fought so hard for. Quite telling how one can lose it all, no matter how powerful.

[@cristhianramirez6939]

Senators in ancient rome carried more power behind them than the hellenisitic kings of the east, that's kind of amazing

[@alexanderdavid8441]

what a great movie this topic would make!

[@GanzotheSecond]

Love the AC reference in the very beginning :)

[@SquirrelGrrl]

At 4:36 I see Homestarunner and his neighborhood watch sign costume!!!!

[@lhasaroadrat9374]

Good one!

[@jayaguilar2031]

I love this. I only learned about this on hbo's rome show.

[@BLASTIC0]

I want to hear about Parmenion’s advance forces’ foray into Asia Minor prior to Alexander’s crossing the Hellespont.

[@blumenthal7528]

Wow, shows about ancient roman gangs will be interesting. Someone should make it.

[@mikewhit]

5:32 i love how the middle left reminds me of the assassins creed cult and the far right looks like the actor that played Pullo

[@InvictaHistory]

You are definitely right on the mark

[@desmond-hawkins]

The religious gang character reminds you of Assassin's Creed because their mask has the exact same design as the one worn by members of the "Cult of Kosmos" in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. I'm playing this game now and started wondering if this was a callback to the game or if both the game and this video were referring to an actual historical design.

[@andreascovano7742]

All I know, is to not mess with the Aventine Collegium

[@showze21]

excellent

[@daneaxe6465]

Sounded like you were describing New York City in the 1800's. :)

[@CatChrist]

I'm so early omg Edit: ILY INVICTA

[@isakq]

Very cool👍

[@briansmith9439]

The choice of a sponsor reflects on the show, its presenter, and its producer. I suggestyou look in to the backgroundof your sponsor and understand that your decision to retain or dismiss the sponsor will say a lot about you.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

_Boni, Mali, ac Turpis_ going to be lit.

[@cudanmang_theog]

We know Biggus Dickus was the og of rome

[@jasonsomers8224]

This is exactly what I was looking for and I didn't even know it.

[@Insectoid_]

Looks like I’m Waiting for the subtitles again. Sigh. Until iphone sorts out a better audio to text system there’s so much on KZbin I can’t watch or have to wait for.

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for a look into ancient Roman culture and criminals

[@emperortransman]

Public services should never be performed by private entities. They should not be profit-driven.

[@henripentant1120]

Nice sentiment

[@mihaivoina74]

I like that you used the cultist outfit from ac odyssey

[@theawesomeman9821]

"The Gangs of Rome" sounds like title to a Martin Scorsessee film.

[@blitzkrieg2928]

19:25 Lucius Vorenus :D

[@infin1ty850]

The "gangs of Rome" aren't really unknown to people that have listened/read anything about the late republic or the empire. That said, loved the video.

[@Will-tn8kq]

“A People’s History of Ancient Rome” tells a very different version of the fate of Claudius. First he changed his name to “Clodius” because that was the lower-class version of the name. And 2nd, they said that Clodius’s followers were of much smaller number than Milo’s and that Milo deliberately attacked them, with the purpose of assassinating Clodius. Don’t know if they are right, but I always trusted Peoples History to do their homework.

[@acewolfgang276]

0:13 i've been playing way too much Odyssey that I immediately recognized the hooded figure as a cultist.

[@Yamboist]

The title reminded me of a questline in witcher 3 called "Gangs of Novigrad".

[@LEARSIKCIGAM]

there is a great show here

[@christianpaullegaspi5641]

Could you make a video about how rome deals against insurgency and lawlessness in a region.

[@nickvinsable3798]

🤔 . . . I currently have a leather jacket that is nicknamed Dragon Hide because its fire retardant. I was wondering how prevalent such materials existed in professions that fought with & against fires…

[@nathanieldizon2150]

@Invicta, what are your sources for Religious gangs like of Apullius?

[@Gods-bad-boy]

Would love to see a modern movie (done well) of "gangs of Rome"

[@manimoradi66]

Please make a video about Sasanian army

[@dodobyrde4645]

The ad is interesting.

[@freakrx2349]

The next grand theft auto should be In Rome.

[@twiss9341]

That would be dang epiccc

[@freakrx2349]

@@twiss9341 GTA 6: Pax Romana or GTA 6: Gangs of Rome. Which title sounds better?

[@uncanny_bassman]

GTA 6: Pecunia non olet.

[@AxenfonKlatismrek]

Grand theft chariot this time

[@ObligedUniform]

This comment section is under new management. By order of the Peaky Fookin" Toga's

[@MyTv-]

Feel like nothing has changed much!:(

[@Marinealver]

Political: Antifa Religious: Boko Haram Economic: World Economic Forum Chariot: Manchester Hooligans Military: Military Industrial Complex

[@wills.e.e8014]

Yeah, the more things change the more they stay the same... It is what it is 🤷‍♂️

[@seanpoore2428]

Soooooo Titus Pullo was a fairly accurate depiction of roman crime? Sweet 🤣 Also can we get an assassin's Creed game where Bayek and Aya take down the bacchanalia illuminati style? XD

[@marloyorkrodriguez9975]

On a gathering storm comes a tall handsome man, with a dusty long coat and a red right hand! - Red Right Hand Oops wrong series, although I can imagine a Roman Peaky Blinder.

[@xanderunderwoods3363]

Accountant: "What ever happened to the Romans?" Tony Soprano: "You're looking at them"

[@BaldricOutremer]

Wouldn't you say that the Praetorian Guard was the most successful gang of them all ?

[@IsakSko]

Lord Invicta!

[@klakier19901]

Somehow, I love the way Invicta uses passive voice.

[@LordMattyA87]

Well….just look at the Commission formed by Lucky Luciano which was based on the political gangs section if you like. More so in the Republic era the senators where like the Dons of families we associate with the Mafia and in films such as The Godfather today.