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 • Sep. 21, 2023

Eventually Nero’s excesses became too much for his Praetorian Guard, and in C.E.

From Scientific American • Aug. 9, 2023

He also established a permanent police force in the city, the Praetorian Guard, which he recruited from the Roman army.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

It’s said that in ancient Rome, the emperor had a member of the Praetorian Guard who, amid all the pomp and all the accolades, would stand behind him and murmur: “Remember, Caesar, thou art mortal.”

From Salon • Aug. 15, 2017

But suddenly she became aware that a member of the Praetorian Guard was standing behind her.

From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks