Castra Praetoria

The outer walls of Castra Praetoria

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

History

Early history

The Castra were erected just outside Rome by order of the Praetorian Prefect Sejanus, between 20 and 23, during Emperor Tiberius' reign, to house the nine cohorts of the Praetorian Guard, the influential Imperial guard. When Emperor Aurelian encircled the city with walls, he had the barracks incorporated in the fortification.

After Constantine's victory over Maxentius in 312, he disbanded the Guard and destroyed the barracks, as Praetorians had been fighting on Maxentius' side.

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..

Trivia

• The Castra Praetoria was the location of one of Clay Kaczmarek's Rifts.
• The gate that actually surrounds the fortress is inaccessible until Ezio assassinates the Baron de Valois.
• This is the largest French camp that could be found in Rome until the completion of the memory "Au Revoir".

Gallery

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  Concept art of the Castra Praetoria gates
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  Concept development of the Castra Praetoria
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  The gates of the Castra Praetoria
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  The interior of the Castra Praetoria
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  The disguised mercenaries outside the main gate

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood