Disbandment of the praetorian guard in 193 a.d.

In 193, the governor of Upper Pannonia, Septimius Severus, who had been proclaimed emperor by the Pannonian legions, captured Rome, overthrowing and killing Didius Julianus, who had been proclaimed emperor in the capital. Before the next act of war for the throne with the Syrian and British governors, who also had been proclaimed emperors, Severus reformed the Praetorian Guard which supported Julianus. Ancient authors report that the Praetorians were disbanded, and in their place Severus recruited soldiers from his legions. The author analyzes the reasons for the disbandment of the Praetorian Guard, as well as its circumstances, dating and consequences.