The ''speculatores,'' also known as the ''speculatores augusti'' or the ''exploratores'', were an ancient Roman
reconnaissance
In military operations, military reconnaissance () or scouting is the exploration of an area by military forces to obtain information about enemy forces, the terrain, and civil activities in the area of operations. In military jargon, reconnai ...
agency. They were part of the ''
consularis ''Consularis'' is a Latin adjective indicating something pertaining to the position or rank of consul. In Ancient Rome it was also used as a noun (plural ''consulares'') to designate those senators who had held the office of consul or attained con ...
'' and were used by the
Roman military. The ''speculatores'' were headquartered in the
Castra Peregrina.
This organization probably originated from previous Greek military
spies and scouts. There are references to a Roman scouting agency operating during the
Samnite Wars
The First, Second, and Third Samnite Wars (343–341 BC, 326–304 BC, and 298–290 BC) were fought between the Roman Republic and the Samnites, who lived on a stretch of the Apennine Mountains south of Rome and north of the Lucanian tribe.
...
and the ''speculatores'' being employed during the
Roman war with the
Aequi. Emperor
Augustus
Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian (), was the founder of the Roman Empire, who reigned as the first Roman emperor from 27 BC until his death in A ...
reformed the Roman communications system. Among other reforms, he also added 10 ''speculatores ''to each
legion. There was one speculator per
cohort. They also served in the
Praetorian Guard
The Praetorian Guard (Latin language, Latin: ''cohortes praetoriae'') was the imperial guard of the Imperial Roman army that served various roles for the Roman emperor including being a bodyguard unit, counterintelligence, crowd control and ga ...
. They also served as
political police, until they were replaced by the ''
frumentarii'' as police in the third century. 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''. They also served as scouts, executioners, torturers, and
assassins. During their operations, they worked in small numbers. Usually in pairs or as individuals. The ''speculatores'' were trained by an official known as a ''
centurio exercitator'' to become skilled in
fighting,
horseriding,
parading, and escorting. Three other officials had important roles in the ''speculatores''. These were the ''centurio'' and the ''centurio speculatorum'', ''centurio trecenarius,'' and the ''centurio speculatorum equitarum''. There were around 300 members of the ''speculatores''. They were chosen based on their discretion and loyalty. Many ''speculatores'' would go on to become couriers. Their duties led to them becoming feared and despised by the populace.
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{{Refend
Infantry units and formations of ancient Rome
Army reconnaissance units and formations