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The speculatores, also known as the speculatores augusti or the exploratores, were an ancient Roman reconnaissance agency. [1] [2] They were part of the consularis and were used by the Roman military. [3] [4] [5] The speculatores were headquartered in the Castra Peregrina. [6] [7]
This organization probably originated from previous Greek military spies and scouts. There are references to a Roman scouting agency operating during the Samnite Wars and the speculatores being employed during the Roman war with the Aequi. [8] Emperor Augustus reformed the Roman communications system. Among other reforms, he also added 10 speculatores to each legion. [9] [10] [11] With one speculator per cohort. [12] They also served in the Praetorian Guard. [13] [14] They also served as political police. Although they were replaced by the frumentarii as police in the third century. [15] As bodyguards, they were tasked with clearing the emperor's pathway of crowds. To do this, they used a type of non-lethal spear known as a lancea. [16] [17] They also served as scouts, executioners, torturers, and assassins. [18] During their operations, they worked in small numbers. Usually in pairs or as individuals. [9] The speculatores were trained by an official known as a centurio exercitator to become skilled in fighting, horseriding, parading, and escorting. [19] Three other officials had important roles in the speculatores. These were the centurio and the centurio speculatorum, [20] centurio trecenarius, and the centurio speculatorum equitarum. [21] There were around 300 members of the speculatores. [22] [23] They were chosen based on their discretion and loyalty. [24] Many speculatores would go on to become couriers. [25] [26] Their duties lead to them becoming feared and despised by the populace. [18]
Part of a series on the |
Military of ancient Rome |
---|
Ancient Rome portal |
The speculatores, also known as the speculatores augusti or the exploratores, were an ancient Roman reconnaissance agency. [1] [2] They were part of the consularis and were used by the Roman military. [3] [4] [5] The speculatores were headquartered in the Castra Peregrina. [6] [7]
This organization probably originated from previous Greek military spies and scouts. There are references to a Roman scouting agency operating during the Samnite Wars and the speculatores being employed during the Roman war with the Aequi. [8] Emperor Augustus reformed the Roman communications system. Among other reforms, he also added 10 speculatores to each legion. [9] [10] [11] With one speculator per cohort. [12] They also served in the Praetorian Guard. [13] [14] They also served as political police. Although they were replaced by the frumentarii as police in the third century. [15] As bodyguards, they were tasked with clearing the emperor's pathway of crowds. To do this, they used a type of non-lethal spear known as a lancea. [16] [17] They also served as scouts, executioners, torturers, and assassins. [18] During their operations, they worked in small numbers. Usually in pairs or as individuals. [9] The speculatores were trained by an official known as a centurio exercitator to become skilled in fighting, horseriding, parading, and escorting. [19] Three other officials had important roles in the speculatores. These were the centurio and the centurio speculatorum, [20] centurio trecenarius, and the centurio speculatorum equitarum. [21] There were around 300 members of the speculatores. [22] [23] They were chosen based on their discretion and loyalty. [24] Many speculatores would go on to become couriers. [25] [26] Their duties lead to them becoming feared and despised by the populace. [18]