{"product_id":"praetorian-the-rise-and-fall-of-romes-imperial-bodyguard-9780300234381","title":"Praetorian: The Rise and Fall of Rome's Imperial Bodyguard","description":"\u003cb\u003eA riveting account of ancient Rome's imperial bodyguard, the select band of soldiers who wielded the power to make--or destroy--the emperors they served\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Founded by Augustus around 27 B.C., the elite Praetorian Guard was tasked with the protection of the emperor and his family. As the centuries unfolded, however, Praetorian soldiers served not only as protectors and enforcers but also as powerful political players. Fiercely loyal to some emperors, they vied with others and ruthlessly toppled those who displeased them, including Caligula, Nero, Pertinax, and many more. Guy de la B doy re provides a compelling first full narrative history of the Praetorians, whose dangerous ambitions ceased only when Constantine permanently disbanded them. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e de la B doy re introduces Praetorians of all echelons, from prefects and messengers to artillery experts and executioners. He explores the delicate position of emperors for whom prestige and guile were the only defenses against bodyguards hungry for power. Folding fascinating details into a broad assessment of the Praetorian era, the author sheds new light on the wielding of power in the greatest of the ancient world's empires.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGuy de la Bédoyère\u003c\/b\u003e is author of a widely admired series of books on Romano-British history. He has appeared regularly on the UK's Channel 4 archaeology series \u003ci\u003eTime Team\u003c\/i\u003e and is well known in the United States for his volume \u003ci\u003eThe Romans for Dummies. \u003c\/i\u003eHe lives in Grantham, UK.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Yale University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50565598937362,"sku":"9780300234381","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_0c9e0ce6-e857-40c8-a0ed-b14e29ec9ce5.jpg?v=1731886669","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/praetorian-the-rise-and-fall-of-romes-imperial-bodyguard-9780300234381","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}