Scholae East Roman army

the emperor constantine created scholae palatinae elite guards unit of 6,000 soldiers, , replace praetorian guard of 10,000 soldiers. 40 select troops scholae, called candidati white uniforms, acted emperor s personal bodyguards. apart agentes in rebus, scholae organized cavalry units accompany emperors on campaign, although later, individual members of scholae have non-military missions. eventually, justinian auctioned off positions in still prestigious ceremonial unit, no longer fighting force.

they outside normal military chain of command did not belong comitatus praesentales , reported magister officiorum, civilian official. however, administrative purposes: on campaign, tribunes commanding each schola reported direct emperor himself.

the notitia dignitatum lists 7 scolae of cavalry , 1 of agents in east roman empire, 5 of cavalry , 1 of agents in west roman empire.