The Praetorian Guard; (also) the quarters of the Praetorian Guard.

Roman History. The Praetorian Guard.

plural = Swiss guard n. at Swiss, n. adj.compounds: rarely singular. Also figurative.

(A member of) an elite military unit assigned as a bodyguard to the French monarchy, originally composed of Scottish soldiers. Now historical.

In plural. Ancient History. In the later Roman Empire: the troops of the imperial palace; the praetorians.

a member of the body of mercenary soldiers from Switzerland used as a special bodyguard by former sovereigns of France and other monarchs: still…

The yeomen of the guard. Obsolete. rare.

figurative. In plural a title for the royal bodyguard of ancient Persia (see quot. 1838); also, for other troops.

a brigade comprising troops having (at least nominal) responsibility for guarding the monarch or head of state (cf. household troops n.).

the bodyguard of the Byzantine emperors, formed of Varangians.