The term "Praetorian" derived from the tent of the commanding general or praetor of a Roman army in the field, known as the "praetorium". It was a habit of many Roman generals to choose from the ranks a private force of soldiers to act as guards of their person. This elite group of Roman citizens consisted of both infantry and cavalry. In time, this cohort came to be known as the "cohors praetoria", and various notable figures had one of those guard groups, including Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and Augustus (Octavian). 