Question about Imperial Guards

[Chris B]

Before I ask my question, I want to say that I just finished a campaign as the Western Romans and this is by far my favorite mod out there right now. Great job everyone who has worked on it.

But now my question is regarding the Imperial guards of the Later Roman Empire. I have been reading up on the military of the times (AHM Jones’ section on it to be precise) and looked at some articles on wikipedia (I hope that doesn’t make me a bad person), and I think I understand it fairly well (plus I’m a classics major, so I have some background in this period, though we learn woefully little about both military matters and the later Empire). Yet I’m confused. Who acted as the Imperial Guards? Was it the Palantine Legions and Auxiliaries? What about the Schola Palantinae, was that an elite guard or just the cavalry equivalent of the Palantine Legions? What about the protectores domestici, were they guards or just a sort of officer candidate school? What about the Herculains and Iovians, were they just the elite of the Palantine Legions or were they a separate force? Jones talks of the Candidati, whom I assume was a sort of inner sanctum guard, but I can find almost nothing about them. I know that things changed a lot over time, so I guess I’d be wondering what was the situation around the start of this mod? If anyone has any answers for me, it would be great.

[Pompeius Magnus]

Well, most of your question are answered in the late roman army Thread.
You don't found any answers there?

[Chris B]

Well, I kind of just confused me more

[Pompeius Magnus]

You can look in the first post.
There you find the content. In the content you see chapters like: Guards for the emperors and so one.
But I try to answer in some short sentences because I really think that the "army thread" is very good.
You should take more time for reading. I mean it is impossible to read all the pages in 5 minutes.

The Legions of the Palatina were members of the central field army or sometimes called Praesentalis, because they were always stationed near the emperor (in the present=praesentalis!).
In that case they were something like sucessors of the old Praetorians.
BUT: The personal life protection was, unlike in older times, not performed by the Palatina Legions. The Palatinae were not the palace guard!
This service was provided by the Candidati and the scholae.
The canditati were drawn from the protectores Domestici. (for further understanding see the chapter in the army manual)

The scholae is a fighting arm of the emperors body guard. Led by the Magister officiorum in peace times. In war times the Comes domesticorum Equitum/ Peditum led the scholae under the direct command of the emperor.

The Auxilia Palatinae was a new created unit with a very high status (like Palatina Legions). Nearly all of these units were german origin. They fought well equipped, in uniforms, and of course under roman standards (like roman Legions). But they were no legion! Sometimes they marched alone, sometimes they fought alone, and sometimes they were attached to another Legion. (I wrote a complete chapter only for the Auxilia. Please read this.

The Herculiani and Iovinani were the names of 2 Legions of the central field army (or Praesentalis).

But as I told you: everything you can found well described in the amry thread.

[Pompeius Magnus]

[Chris B]

Thanks. I scanned the army thread but only found bits and pieces on Imperial Guards. Perhaps I went too fast or was looking in the wrong spot. But thank you for the summary, and I will read the army thread in more detail now.

And I guess part of my confusion was my fault for referring to wikipedia, which calls the Jovians and Herculians the Imperial Guard.

[Pompeius Magnus]

yes please. Do that first. And if something is unclear later we can continue to talk and discuss.
This is also a good test for me, perhaps I can improve some pages and chapters in the army thread.
But I think 90% of your questions will be answered there.

EDIT acc. Imperial Guard
The wiki articles are Okay so far. But the things are hold very common there. I you want make deeper researches Wiki is not so good. The name imperial guard is correct because the Herculiani were members of the emperors central field army. On the other side the name is wrong because these guys were not the palace guard.

By the way: Be welcome here on TWCenter and esp. in the IBFD Thread. I noticed you are new.

[julianus heraclius]

Yes Welcome Chris B,

Your comments and ideas are always welcome. Pompeius' work on the late roman army is excellent and well worth the read. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask, as we are always happen to help.

Cheers