The Praetorian Guard
By Boris Rankov
1994
First Published
3.76
Average Rating
64
Number of Pages
Part of Series
The Praetorian Guard of Imperial Rome was the power behind the throne, with the ability to make or break an emperor. As the main body of troops in Rome, they were the emperor's instrument to discourage plotting and rebellion and to crush unrest. The emperor's most immediate line of defence, they could also be his most deadly enemies. This book details the organization, dress and history of the Praetorian Guard from the time of the late Republic to the Guard's effective destruction at the battle of Milvian Bridge in AD 312. Numerous illustrations vividly depict the uniforms and weaponry of this elite fighting unit.
Avg Rating
3.76
Number of Ratings
37
5 STARS
16%
4 STARS
43%
3 STARS
41%
2 STARS
0%
1 STARS
0%
goodreads
Author
Boris Rankov
Author · 1 books
Dr. Boris Rankov is a professor of Roman history at Royal Holloway, University of London. He studied Classics and Ancient History at Oxford, where he also wrote his doctoral thesis on Roman military staff officers. He has held a Research Fellowship at Oxford and lectureships in the United States and Western Australia. Rankov's research interests include Roman history, especially Roman Britain, the Roman army, epigraphy and archaeology of the Roman empire, and ancient shipping. While at Oxford, he rowed in six winning Boat Race crews and has, since 1988, been one of the rowing masters on the reconstructed Greek trireme Olympias.
