Speculatores
Speculatores
Ancient Roman reconnaissance agency
The speculatores, also known as the speculatores augusti or the exploratores, were an ancient Roman reconnaissance agency.[1][2] They were part of the consularis and were used by the Roman military.[3][4][5] The speculatores were headquartered in the Castra Peregrina.[6][7]
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.[8] Emperor Augustus reformed the Roman communications system. Among other reforms, he also added 10 speculatores to each legion.[9][10][11] With one speculator per cohort.[12] They also served in the Praetorian Guard.[13][14] They also served as political police. Although they were replaced by the frumentarii as police in the third century.[15] 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.[16][17] They also served as scouts, executioners, torturers, and assassins.[18] During their operations, they worked in small numbers. Usually in pairs or as individuals.[9] The speculatores were trained by an official known as a centurio exercitator to become skilled in fighting, horseriding, parading, and escorting.[19] Three other officials had important roles in the speculatores. These were the centurio and the centurio speculatorum,[20] centurio trecenarius, and the centurio speculatorum equitarum.[21] There were around 300 members of the speculatores.[22][23] They were chosen based on their discretion and loyalty.[24] Many speculatores would go on to become couriers.[25][26] Their duties lead to them becoming feared and despised by the populace.[18]