The Praetorians weren’t close Bodyguards of the Early Roman Emperors. They were the outer line. The Honor of close personal Guards was given to the Numerus Batavorum, also known as the Germani corpore custodes. In modern vernacular “Imperial German Bodyguard”. Depending on the Emperor the size ranges from about 500-1,000 men. Often recruited quite deliberately from the Germanic Tribes on the Fringes of Roman Territory. So they wouldn’t have political or personal connections with Rome or the Imperial Heartland. Precious little is known about this unit aside from their status as close bodyguards. And they had a unit heritage linked directly to a Company of Germanic Legionnaires Julius Caesar used as bodyguards while on campaign
Specifically because the Early Emperors including Augustus distrusted the Praetorians from Day 1. Somewhat ironically the formation would be disbanded by the Successor of Nero. Emperor Galba. Over the formation’s lingering loyalty to the previous Emperor Nero. Which leads me into a 2nd fun fact.
2nd Fun Fact: Centurion Sempronius Densus of the Praetorian Guard. Was slain by his comrades when he refused to turn on Emperor Galba. Armed only with a Dagger and Command Baton. He damned his former comrades as traitors to the Empire and Emperor. And Slew a number of his former Comrades in a one man last stand in the streets of Rome. Buying time for the Galbas heir to flee.
3rd thing I just remembered: It was a brief story in his 1st term. But Trump was maintaining a Private Security and Intelligence detail separate from his Secret Service detachment. Breaking well established precedent. Though the story was quickly dropped from mainstream attention. Maybe that was his version of the Imperial German Bodyguard?
Fun Fact.
The Praetorians weren’t close Bodyguards of the Early Roman Emperors. They were the outer line. The Honor of close personal Guards was given to the Numerus Batavorum, also known as the Germani corpore custodes. In modern vernacular “Imperial German Bodyguard”. Depending on the Emperor the size ranges from about 500-1,000 men. Often recruited quite deliberately from the Germanic Tribes on the Fringes of Roman Territory. So they wouldn’t have political or personal connections with Rome or the Imperial Heartland. Precious little is known about this unit aside from their status as close bodyguards. And they had a unit heritage linked directly to a Company of Germanic Legionnaires Julius Caesar used as bodyguards while on campaign
Specifically because the Early Emperors including Augustus distrusted the Praetorians from Day 1. Somewhat ironically the formation would be disbanded by the Successor of Nero. Emperor Galba. Over the formation’s lingering loyalty to the previous Emperor Nero. Which leads me into a 2nd fun fact.
2nd Fun Fact: Centurion Sempronius Densus of the Praetorian Guard. Was slain by his comrades when he refused to turn on Emperor Galba. Armed only with a Dagger and Command Baton. He damned his former comrades as traitors to the Empire and Emperor. And Slew a number of his former Comrades in a one man last stand in the streets of Rome. Buying time for the Galbas heir to flee.
3rd thing I just remembered: It was a brief story in his 1st term. But Trump was maintaining a Private Security and Intelligence detail separate from his Secret Service detachment. Breaking well established precedent. Though the story was quickly dropped from mainstream attention. Maybe that was his version of the Imperial German Bodyguard?