Marble relief of a Praetorian Guard relief, attributed to Claudius' triumphal arch on the Via Lata in Rome, which was dedicated in AD51 to commemorate his victory over the Britons in AD43. The Praetorian Guard, first established by Augustus as his personal guard, were a 6, 000 strong elite unit based in Rome. Their ornate armour, including the oval shields seen here, was based on traditional Republican-era models and emphasised their special status. Musee du Louvre.