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Mark Antony Legionary PRAETORIARVM
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ANT AVG III VIR R P C
galley r. mast with banners at prow
CHORTIVM PRAETORIARVM
Legionary Eagle between two standards
Patrae mint 32-31BC
3.08g
Imperators 385, Sydenham 1213, BMCRR East 184, Cohen 7
Ex-Incitatus
Scarce/rare
An important and historical coin!
The Praetorian cohorts had their origins in the small escorts which accompanied the generals on campaign. The name derives from the commander's tent (praetorium), a name which was later applied to the commandant's house in a permanent fort. At the time of Actium Antony probably had at least four praetorian cohorts. In the years following Actium Augustus established a permanent body of nine praetorian cohorts, three in Rome, the remainder dispersed among neighboring towns. They were regarded as elite troops and this was reflected in their living conditions and pay (more than three times the rate for legionaries). The praetorian prefects, first appointed by Augustus in 2 BC were to exercise enormous political power in Rome in the centuries to follow.
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