What is urban cohorts?

The urban cohorts were a kind of police force in Ancient Rome. They were initially created during the reign of Augustus and mainly consisted of freedmen, descendants of slaves who had been granted their freedom. The urban cohorts were responsible for maintaining law and order in the city of Rome, as well as protecting the emperor and his family. They also played a crucial role in suppressing rebellions and uprisings in the city. The troops of the urban cohorts were divided into cohorts, each consisting of around 500 men, and were mostly equipped with spears, swords, and shields. The urban cohorts were disbanded by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD, with their duties being taken over by a new group known as the Scholae Palatinae.