Praetorian Guard

American  

noun

Roman History.

1. the bodyguard of a military commander, especially the imperial guard stationed in Rome.

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Praetorian Guard British  

noun

1. the bodyguard of the Roman emperors, noted for its political corruption, which existed from 27 _bc to 312 _ad

2. a member of this bodyguard

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Praetorian Guard Cultural  

1. In the ancient Roman Empire, the emperor's bodyguard.

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The term is sometimes applied to the inner circle of advisers to a major political figure.

Example Sentences

Besides the emperor’s residence, the complex included gardens, places of worship, quarters for the Praetorian Guard that protected the ruler and a service district for workers that overlooked the Roman Forum.

From Seattle Times

She was the sister of the emperor Caligula and the niece of his successor Claudius, who became emperor after Caligula was murdered by his own Praetorian Guard in C.E.

From Scientific American

In the end, the elite Praetorian Guard auctioned off the emperorship to the highest bidder.

From Salon

Twelve silver and two gold denarii coins were found in the man's possession - the equivalent of a month's salary for members of the elite Praetorian Guard, according to Mr Sirano.

From BBC

Why wasn’t President Trump’s Praetorian Guard sent in to quell that obvious anarchy?

From Washington Post