ROM044
First Legion
First Legion presents: the
Roman Praetorian Guard,
personal bodyguard of the Roman Emperors. Though the name was in use for several hundred years before, the formation of the Praetorian Guard as presented here began with Emperor Augustus. He selected from among the finest troops across all of the legions and built up a force of nine Cohorts which he stationed in and around Rome. Though in name they were the bodyguard of the Emperor, the Praetorian Guard played a political role as well, being they were the strongest armed force within the city. Thus, they were something of a double edged sword to the Emperors which they protected. In addition, they took part in various campaigns and battles, including those of Marcus Aurelius, as they were the equal of any other Roman Legion in terms of combat effectiveness.
A cornicen was a junior officer that carried and played the cornu, a signalling horn. Cornicens were duplicary soldiers, meaning they received double the pay of a regular soldier. A cornicen marched at the head of the cohort with the Centurion and Optio.