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Why did Augustus create a permanent Praetorian Guard?
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Augustus
Portrait of the emperor Augustus, marble, Roman, c. 14–37 ce; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City. Height 27.94 cm.
Augustus established the Praetorian Guard in 27 BCE to serve as a permanent, elite force of household troops dedicated to the protection of the emperor.
While the cohors praetoria had existed since the 2nd century BCE as bodyguards for Roman generals, Augustus formalized this role by creating a permanent corps of nine cohorts. By stationing these troops in and around Rome, he ensured a reliable military presence to maintain security and stability for his newly established imperial office.12