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Donativum
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<p>The <i>donativum</i> (plural <i>donativa</i>) was a gift of money by the <a href="/facts/Roman_emperors/sT4nFc67">Roman emperors</a> to the soldiers of the <a href="/facts/Roman_legion/qdmdg3Vb">Roman legions</a> or to the <a href="/facts/Praetorian_Guard/AJoCKCHC">Praetorian Guard</a>. The English translation is <i>donative</i>. </p><p>The purpose of the <i>donativa</i> varied. Some were expressions of gratitude for favors received, and others outright bribery for favours expected in return. <i>Donativa</i> were normally rendered at the beginning of each new emperor's reign. During the 2nd and 3rd centuries, that form of bribery became a crucial part of any successful ruler in Rome. Such was the case with many of the soldier-emperors from 235 to 248. </p><p>The Praetorian Guard, intimate to the emperor's person, was an even greater threat to security. The <a href="/facts/Cohort_(military_unit)/aBUHRAfr">cohorts</a> stationed in Rome were difficult to appease and quick to assassinate. The <i>donativum</i> thus provided a significant way to purchase the Guard's support and loyalty. </p><p>Emperor <a href="/facts/Augustus/RGfMCR2V">Augustus</a> bequeathed the Praetorian Guard a substantial sum in his will, but it was not until the reign of <a href="/facts/Tiberius/oQzd7AvQ">Tiberius</a> that gifts of money were thought to be mandatory. The Praetorian Guard received such gifts for turning a blind eye when <a href="/facts/Sejanus/2KI6v4TB">Sejanus</a>, the <a href="/facts/Praetorian_prefect/Udpno0BP">praetorian prefect</a>, fell from power. Each Praetorian Guard received 10 gold pieces in return for not defending Sejanus. </p><p>In 41, after the assassination of <a href="/facts/Caligula/3PUxgNf8">Caligula</a>, the Guard supported <a href="/facts/Claudius/WJ31y54a">Claudius</a>, and the Senate briefly learned that the Guard had installed him on the throne. Claudius gave them 150 gold pieces, or some 3,750 <a href="/facts/Denarius/GupDv9vW">denarii</a> to which the senators' 100 <a href="/facts/Sestertius/Xjmar03V">sesterces</a> were added annually to commemorate Claudius's accession. The inevitable result of the custom of the <i>donativum</i> was the Guard's auctioning of the empire to <a href="/facts/Didius_Julianus/CUhe9VH3">Didius Julianus</a> in 193. </p>