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In this documentary we explore the mysterious history of the Frumentarii, Rome's feared network of spies and assassins. We begin with a review of their origins as grain collectors and courriers. This role slowly matured over the course of the Roman Republic with Frumentarii becoming a regular fixture of logistics by the early Roman Empire. We cover how this group came to have a headquarters in Rome and what their unit's organization and equipment would have looked like. However their presence in Rome and travel to and from the provinces proved convenient for them to now take on additional roles. It seems that Roman Emperor's soon began to recruit them into their own network to take on a variety of roles such as spying and potentially even assassination.

Sources:
"Intelligence activities in ancient Rome" by Rose Sheldon
"Exploratio: Military & Political Intelligence in the Roman World" by N. J. E. Austin
"The Troops Quartered in the Castra Peregrinorum." by Reynolds P.K.B.
"The Castra Peregrinorum." by Reynolds P.K.B.
"The Roman Secret Service" by W.G Sinnigen
"The origins of the Frumentarii" by by W.G Sinnigen

Credits
Research = Invicta
Script = Invicta
Narration = Guy Michaels
Art = Penta Limited

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:03 Origins
07:38 Organization
08:48 Headquarters
11:08 Equipment
12:21 Regular Duties
14:05 Spying
15:47 Assassinations
17:19 Law Enforcers
19:58 End of the Frumentarii

#adventure #history #documentary