Castra Praetoria

The Castra Praetoria (English: Praetorian Barracks) was a fortified military barracks in Rome, incorporated into the north-eastern edge of the city walls. It was originally constructed to house the Praetorian Guard, the official bodyguards of the Roman Emperors.

History

Early history

The Castra functioned as the ancient barracks for the Praetorian Guard of Imperial Rome. After Constantine's victory over Maxentius in 312, he destroyed the barracks.

Although the Guard had been the Emperor's protectors for centuries and were simply doing their job defending Maxentius, it appeared as if Constantine was unable to forgive them. Soon after, the Praetorian Guard was permanently disbanded.

Renaissance

In 1503, the Castra became the headquarters of Cesare Borgia's French ally, General Octavian de Valois, and it was from here that the Baron launched his assaults on the Caserma di Alviano.

Following the kidnapping of Bartolomeo d'Alviano's wife, Pantasilea Baglioni, the fortress was infiltrated by Ezio Auditore da Firenze and a contingent of Bartolomeo's mercenaries disguised as French soldiers. Octavian was killed in the surprise attack, and his forces abandoned the fortress not long after.