Castra Praetoria, Ancient Roman military complex in Viminale Hill, Italy
Castra Praetoria is an ancient fortress north of the Roman city center, built as a rectangular structure with stone walls and towers at the corners. Three sides of the original fortification still stand today and form part of the later Aurelian city wall, while the fourth side has disappeared.
Lucius Aelius Sejanus had the barracks built in 23 AD to house all divisions of the Praetorian Guard in a single location for the first time. Before this, the soldiers had been scattered in different camps around the city, but Emperor Tiberius and his advisor wanted to bring the units together under direct control.
The complex served as a closed quarter for soldiers who protected the emperor and his family directly. Inside the walls, men lived in barracks, trained in the courtyard, and assembled when the ruler needed their support.
The remains of the complex lie near Roma Termini station and can be viewed from the outside, as they were built into the later city wall. Visitors who want to see the walls should note that only parts of the exterior are accessible and the grounds themselves cannot be entered.
In 193 AD, the soldiers here sold the throne of the Roman Empire to the highest bidder after murdering the reigning emperor. The buyer, a senator named Didius Julianus, held power for only 66 days before he was overthrown himself.
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