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

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 • 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

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

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2023

The son of a senator, perhaps, or an officer in the Praetorian Guard.

From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks