Praetorian Guard

The Praetorian Guard was the imperial bodyguard in ancient Rome instituted by Augustus in 2 BC. It consisted of nine (later ten) cohorts of about 1000 men each, horse and foot, commanded by a Prefect.

They had higher rank and pay than the legions, and their term of service was 16 years instead of 20. They came to wield great power in choosing the new Emperor. These cohorts, which were stationed Tiberius's reign. Constantine finally abolished them in AD 312.

The name praetoria cohors had been applied earlier under the republic to select troops attendant on the praetor or general of the army.