Speculatores

Template:Short description Template:Italics title Template:RomanMilitary The speculatores, also known as the speculatores augusti or the exploratores, were an ancient Roman reconnaissance agency.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn They were part of the consularis and were used by the Roman military.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn The speculatores were headquartered in the Castra Peregrina.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn

This organization probably originated from previous Greek military spies and scouts. There are references to a Roman scouting agency operating during the Samnite Wars and the speculatores being employed during the Roman war with the Aequi.Template:Sfn Emperor Augustus reformed the Roman communications system. Among other reforms, he also added 10 speculatores to each legion.Template:SfnTemplate:SfnTemplate:Sfn There was one speculator per cohort.Template:Sfn They also served in the Praetorian Guard.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn They also served as political police, until they were replaced by the frumentarii as police in the third century.Template:Sfn As bodyguards, they were tasked with clearing the emperor's pathway of crowds. To do this, they used a type of non-lethal spear known as a lancea.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn They also served as scouts, executioners, torturers, and assassins.Template:Sfn During their operations, they worked in small numbers. Usually in pairs or as individuals.Template:Sfn The speculatores were trained by an official known as a centurio exercitator to become skilled in fighting, horseriding, parading, and escorting.Template:Sfn Three other officials had important roles in the speculatores. These were the centurio and the centurio speculatorum,Template:Sfn centurio trecenarius, and the centurio speculatorum equitarum.Template:Sfn There were around 300 members of the speculatores.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn They were chosen based on their discretion and loyalty.Template:Sfn Many speculatores would go on to become couriers.Template:SfnTemplate:Sfn Their duties led to them becoming feared and despised by the populace.Template:Sfn

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