The Praetorian Guard: Roman Deep State?

Tribunate

10 Mar 202413:15

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThe script delves into the rise and fall of the Praetorian Guard in ancient Rome, highlighting their significant influence on the empire's politics and the eventual destabilization of imperial authority. Initially formed as an elite bodyguard unit for the general's tent, the Praetorians grew in power, becoming pivotal in determining the emperor's succession and often prioritizing their own wealth over the empire's stability. Their unchecked power led to numerous assassinations and a series of crises, culminating in their eventual dismantling by Emperor Constantine, symbolizing a shift in Rome's power dynamics.

Takeaways

👑 The advice of Roman Emperor Septimus Severus to his sons, to maintain harmony and prioritize the military, reflects the militaristic nature of the Roman Empire during his time.
🗡️ Caracalla's disregard for his father's advice led to his brother's murder and an attempt to secure loyalty through increased military pay, but it was not enough to protect him from the Praetorian Guard's betrayal.
🥷 The rise and influence of the Praetorian Guard can be traced back to the Republic era, with generals like Scipio enlisting elite troops as bodyguards, but it was formalized under Augustus's principate regime.
🔱 The Praetorian Guard's power grew over time, evolving from a bodyguard unit to one with significant administrative duties and influence over the succession of emperors.
🗝️ The lack of a clear and stable system of succession, a consequence of Augustus's policies, contributed to the Praetorians' ability to manipulate the accession of emperors based on their own interests.
🔪 The Praetorian Guard was responsible for multiple assassinations of emperors, including Caligula and others, demonstrating their willingness to make and unmake rulers based on personal gain.
🏛️ The Praetorians' influence peaked when Macrinus, a member of the equestrian class, made himself Emperor, showing the guard's power had reached its zenith.
🌪️ The Praetorian Guard's actions often led to political instability and civil wars, undermining the authority of the emperors and prolonging the state of crisis in the Roman Empire.
🛡️ The power of the Praetorian Guard was eventually curtailed by Emperor Diocletian's reforms, which included the establishment of a new system of Imperial guards and the reduction of the Praetorians' prominence.
🏰 Constantine's destruction of the Praetorian encampment marked a significant shift in Roman history, signaling the end of the Praetorians' era and the beginning of a new political landscape in Rome.

Q & A

What advice did the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus give to his sons on his deathbed?
-Septimius Severus advised his sons Caracalla and Geta to be harmonious, enrich the soldiers, and spurn all others, highlighting the importance of military support in maintaining power during his time.
How did the Roman legions contribute to the instability of the Roman Empire?
-The legions made and unmade numerous emperors, often backing any claimant who promised them a higher payday, which led to a cycle of instability and a focus on military support rather than the welfare of the state.
What was the role of the Praetorian Guard in the assassination of Emperor Caracalla?
-The Praetorian Guard, led by Macrinus, orchestrated a conspiracy that resulted in Caracalla's death. Macrinus then took the throne, illustrating the excessive power and influence the guard had over the succession of emperors.
How did the Praetorian Guard's influence evolve from its origins during the Republic to the Imperial period?
-The Praetorian Guard began as elite handpicked troops protecting generals during the Republic. It was formally established under Augustus and grew in power, eventually involving itself in administrative duties and becoming a key player in determining the succession of emperors.
What were the consequences of the Praetorian Guard's preference for wealth and influence over the protection of the emperor?
-The focus on wealth and influence led to political corruption, assassinations of emperors, and destabilization of the empire. The guard's actions undermined imperial authority and contributed to the empire's crises.
How did Emperor Tiberius's relationship with his Praetorian Prefect, Sejanus, affect his reign?
-Sejanus heightened Tiberius's paranoia, leading to the execution of his son based on false evidence provided by Sejanus. Sejanus used this to eliminate political rivals and make a play for the throne, though he was eventually discovered and executed.
Which Roman Emperor was the first to be assassinated by his own Praetorian Guard?
-Caligula was the first emperor to be assassinated by members of his own Praetorian Guard, marking a shift in the guard's role and influence within the empire.
What measures did successful emperors like Claudius, Trajan, and Hadrian take to maintain the loyalty of the Praetorian Guard?
-These emperors formed positive relationships with the guard, treating them with respect, granting high pay, and providing regular bonuses on occasions like the emperor's birthday.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ The Fall of the Roman Republic and the Rise of Militaristic Monarchy

This paragraph discusses the decline of the Roman Republic and the transformation into a militaristic monarchy. It highlights the advice given by Roman Emperor Septimus Severus to his sons, Caracalla and Geta, emphasizing the importance of military support. The narrative illustrates how the legions had significant influence over the rise and fall of emperors, and how Caracalla's actions, including the murder of his brother and attempts to secure the loyalty of the army, ultimately led to his downfall. The paragraph also explores the rise in power of the Praetorian Guard, an elite bodyguard unit that became increasingly influential in Roman politics, leading to the assassination of emperors and the destabilization of the empire.

05:02

👑 The Praetorian Guard's Influence and the Struggle for Power

The second paragraph delves into the Praetorian Guard's growing influence and the political machinations that characterized their role in the Roman Empire. It describes how the guard's power expanded beyond mere security duties to include administrative functions, and how they played a pivotal role in the succession of emperors. The paragraph also details the rise of Claudius, who was chosen by the Praetorians after the assassination of Caligula, and how subsequent emperors sought to maintain the guard's loyalty through pay and bonuses. However, it also highlights the guard's destabilizing effects during times of crisis, leading to a series of assassinations and the eventual auctioning off of the emperorship.

10:04

🗡️ The Downfall of the Praetorian Guard and the Birth of the Tetrarchy

The final paragraph discusses the decline of the Praetorian Guard's power and the rise of the Tetrarchy system. It describes how the guard's corruption and involvement in assassinations and political intrigue led to a backlash and the eventual reform of the Roman military and administrative structure by Emperor Diocletian. The paragraph also touches on the guard's role in undermining strong rulers and prolonging the empire's crises. The narrative concludes with the complete abolition of the Praetorian Guard by Constantine, who symbolically destroyed their encampment and founded a new Rome, Constantinople, marking a significant shift in the empire's history and the end of an era dominated by the guard's influence.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Septimus Severus

Septimus Severus was a Roman Emperor who, according to the transcript, advised his sons to maintain harmony, enrich the soldiers, and spurn all others. His advice reflects the importance of military support in securing and retaining power during his time. His son, Caracalla, failed to live up to this advice, leading to a series of events that included his own brother's murder and eventually his own demise.

💡Militaristic Monarchy

Militaristic Monarchy refers to a form of government where the military plays a central role in the state's administration and power structure. In the context of the video, the Roman Empire under Septimus Severus had become a militaristic monarchy, with the legions having the power to make and unmake emperors based on their promises of pay and rewards.

💡Caracalla

Caracalla was a Roman Emperor known for murdering his own brother to secure his claim to the throne, thus violating his father's advice to maintain harmony and spurn all others. His reign was marked by an attempt to win over the loyalty of the Praetorian Guard, but his actions were not enough to prevent his assassination, illustrating the precarious nature of power in the Roman Empire.

💡Praetorian Guard

The Praetorian Guard was an elite unit of bodyguards responsible for the safety of the Roman Emperors. Over time, they gained significant political power, often determining the accession of emperors and even orchestrating assassinations. Their influence peaked when Macrinus, a Praetorian prefect, made himself Emperor, marking a turning point in the power dynamics of the Roman Empire.

💡Macrinus

Macrinus was a Roman Emperor who came to power after orchestrating a conspiracy that led to the death of Caracalla. Despite his relatively modest background, Macrinus' rise to power reflects the extent to which the Praetorian Guard had become a political force, capable of installing their preferred candidate on the throne.

💡Elite Private Bodyguards

Elite private bodyguards refer to the handpicked troops assigned to protect high-ranking officials, particularly the Roman Emperors. In the context of the video, these bodyguards evolved into the Praetorian Guard, which held significant political sway and were instrumental in the selection and deselection of emperors.

💡Imperial Bodyguard

An Imperial Bodyguard is a term used to describe the personal protection force assigned to safeguard the emperor or other high-ranking officials in an empire. In the Roman context, the Praetorian Guard served as the imperial bodyguard and over time, their role expanded beyond security to include political influence and manipulation.

💡Augustus

Augustus, originally known as Octavian, was the first Roman Emperor and the founder of the Roman Imperial state. He established the Praetorian Guard as a part of his efforts to consolidate power and maintain control. However, his policies, including the indulgence of the Praetorians, would have far-reaching consequences for the stability of the Empire.

💡Tetrarchy System

The Tetrarchy System was a political and military reform introduced by Emperor Diocletian in the late 3rd century AD. It aimed to ensure stable succession and divided the Empire into four parts, each governed by an emperor or a subordinate called a tetrarch. This system significantly reduced the power of the Praetorian Guard and introduced a new system of imperial guards.

💡Constantine the Great

Constantine the Great, also known as Constantine I, was a Roman Emperor who is credited with major changes in the Roman Empire, including the abolition of the Praetorian Guard. After defeating his rival Maxentius, Constantine destroyed the Praetorian Barracks, effectively ending the guard's influence and later founded Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire.

💡Praetorian Corruption

Praetorian Corruption refers to the misuse of power by the Praetorian Guard for personal gain, often at the expense of the emperors and the stability of the Roman Empire. This corruption included assassinations of emperors, manipulation of succession, and the auctioning off of the imperial office to the highest bidder.

💡Deep State

Deep State is a term used to describe a supposed hidden government within the legitimately elected government, consisting of powerful and unelected actors who manipulate government policy regardless of the elected leadership. In the context of the video, the Praetorian Guard's actions and influence over the Roman Empire can be seen as an early example of a deep state, operating openly and brazenly to secure their interests.

Highlights

The Roman Emperor Septimus Severus advised his sons to maintain harmony, enrich the soldiers, and spurn all others, illustrating the militaristic nature of the Roman Empire.

The legions had made and unmade numerous emperors, showing the military's significant role in Roman politics.

Caracalla, one of Septimus Severus's sons, murdered his brother to secure the throne, defying his father's advice.

Macrinus, a praetorian prefect, orchestrated a conspiracy that led to Caracalla's death and his own ascension to the throne.

The praetorian guard's power had grown to absurd heights, with praetorians more interested in protecting the throne than the emperor.

The origins of the praetorian guard can be traced back to the Republic, with generals like Scipio enlisting elite troops as bodyguards.

Augustus formalized the praetorian guard institution to solidify his principate regime and suppress the last embers of the Republic.

The praetorian guard's influence led to political instability, as they became more focused on their own wealth and influence.

Tiberius's praetorian prefect, Sejanus, heightened the emperor's paranoia and manipulated him to eliminate political rivals.

The praetorian guard's power peaked when they assassinated Caligula and subsequently chose Claudius as the next emperor.

Successful emperors like Claudius, Trajan, and Hadrian maintained stability by forming positive relationships with the praetorians and ensuring economic prosperity.

The lack of a clear succession system led to the praetorians playing a significant role in determining the next emperor.

The praetorians' corruption and power led to the assassination of strong rulers like Pertinax and Aurelius, hindering the empire's ability to navigate crises.

Septimus Severus claimed the throne and defeated the praetorians, but did not abolish the guard, instead appointing loyal troops to key positions.

The praetorian guard's power was eventually curtailed by Emperor Diocletian, who reformed the administration and military of the Empire through his tetrarchy system.

Constantine the Great abolished the praetorian guard entirely after defeating his rival Maxentius and establishing a new Rome.

The praetorian guard serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of balance in governance.

The praetorians' actions and influence mirror modern concepts of a deep state, where unelected actors manipulate government for their interests.

The praetorians operated openly, using their power to secure wealth and influence, and their existence serves as a reminder that no autocrat is truly free.

Transcripts

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