Roman \'Special Forces\'?

[Forty-One]

Weren't the equites singulares an elite force in that they were specially selected to be the "best of the best"?
As well as working "close protection" for the emperor, detachments were apparently also deployed on occasion to the provinces.

Also, wouldn't speculatores have performed the Roman equivalent of the tasks performed by "special forces'" recce units in more recent times? As time went on they also evidently diversified into all sorts of other roles, including diplomatic courier work, prisoner handling, interrogations, executions and other similar "wet work".

There are lots of other occasions in ancient histories where "picked men" undertake special missions, but I think the notion of some kind of "Roman army commandos" in the sense usually understood today is definitely an anachronism.


+++ Harry +++++++++

"Ramming speed!"

[D B Campbell]

As well as working "close protection" for the emperor, detachments were apparently also deployed on occasion to the provinces.

Welcome to RAT, Harry.

The equites singulares Augusti were attached to the emperor. You may be confusing them with the provincial equites and pedites singulares, detached from each province's auxiliary units to serve as the governor's bodyguard.

[Maximinus243]

Interestingly, the Praetorians appear to have been "elite" only in the sense of "privileged" -- they were not a superior, battle-winning unit; they were simply entrusted with the emperor's safety (whenever it suited them).

Speaking of which, has the Praetorian ever successfully defended their Emperor from an usurper during a civil war?

[D B Campbell]

has the Praetorian ever successfully defended their Emperor from an usurper during a civil war?

They're more of a nuclear deterrent.

[ValentinianVictrix]

Ammianus mentions both Legionarii, Auxila and 'Velites' (Light infantry) as being detached on special missions such as river crossings etc. They were called 'expediti'. He also told us about a mission where 300 picked men from each unit under the command of Sebastian were sent against the Goths and totally routed them.