TY - JOUR TI - The emperor’s guard DO - https://doi.org/doi:10.7282/t3-yr57-q848 PY - 2018 AB - The purpose of this text is to compare the praetorian guard to the German bodyguard (consisting of both the Equites Singulares Augusti and the Germani Corpores Custodes). These forces existed around the same time period, the first three centuries CE, and had a very similar role. This paper looks to answer the questions: why were two guards needed inside of Rome? what were their functions? and how did they affect the empire? The conclusion is made that two guards were not needed inside of Rome; it was simply a helpful luxury to keep a German bodyguard as well. The praetorians on the other hand were a necessary force that was essential to overseeing the life and death of the emperor. KW - History KW - Praetorian Guard KW - Equites singulares imperatoris KW - Germani corpores custodes LA - eng ER -