11-30-2019, 12:52 PM
The Praetorian Guard (cohortes praetoriae) was an elite unit of the Imperial Roman army whose members served as personal bodyguards and intelligence for the Roman emperors. These selected units accompanied the emperor in his war campaigns, and they have often been involved in power struggles.
The question about the armor they wore is exciting, because these units were certainly well paid and could afford the best the market could offer.
So, what do the sources tell us? Do we have evidence of the time about the armor they used?
This topic is for evidences, literary, artworks, finds... no theories.
Looking at the sources, we discover that the use of the laminated armour (the lorica segmentata) is well attested by artworks. We have several examples. For example we can found praetorians with lorica segmentata on the fragment from the Templum Gentis Flaviae, or in a statue from Villa Albani.
Then, we have the Great Trajani Frieze where infantry with a shield with scorpions (praetorians) are equipped with the lorica segmentata. And, also in the Trajan's column praetorians are represented with lorica segmentata of the best type. Another source representing a praetorian guard with a lorica segmentata is the fresco from Ephesus (you can found references and images on Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier, Raffaele D'Amato and Graham Summer). Other examples come from the Praetorian infantry in Antoninus Pius Column pedestal, equipped with lorica segmentata.
So, the usage of the lorica segmentata is well documented. Other examples?
The question about the armor they wore is exciting, because these units were certainly well paid and could afford the best the market could offer.
So, what do the sources tell us? Do we have evidence of the time about the armor they used?
This topic is for evidences, literary, artworks, finds... no theories.
Looking at the sources, we discover that the use of the laminated armour (the lorica segmentata) is well attested by artworks. We have several examples. For example we can found praetorians with lorica segmentata on the fragment from the Templum Gentis Flaviae, or in a statue from Villa Albani.
Then, we have the Great Trajani Frieze where infantry with a shield with scorpions (praetorians) are equipped with the lorica segmentata. And, also in the Trajan's column praetorians are represented with lorica segmentata of the best type. Another source representing a praetorian guard with a lorica segmentata is the fresco from Ephesus (you can found references and images on Arms and Armour of the Imperial Roman Soldier, Raffaele D'Amato and Graham Summer). Other examples come from the Praetorian infantry in Antoninus Pius Column pedestal, equipped with lorica segmentata.
So, the usage of the lorica segmentata is well documented. Other examples?
