The History of the Bodyguard and the

Origins of Executive Protection

Executive Protection and the History of the Bodyguard
The history of bodyguards and other practitioners of personal and executive protection has
spanned millennia. For hundreds of years, high profile figures have required personal protection
from foreign assassins, internal insurgents, and deranged individuals.
Kings, presidents, popes as well as the wealthy and the powerful have
enlisted special guards to ensure their safety. In the early years, most of
these bodyguards were soldiers that were recruited from combat units
after proving their martial experience. However, fighting prowess was
not the only factor of importance. In antiquity, a bodyguards personal
loyalty to his principal was considered his most important quality.
One of the first chapters in the history of the bodyguard begins in ancient Greece. Alexander the
Great retained a troop of guards used strictly for personal protection. This elite unit was known
as the Somatophylakes. Most of these men were drawn from prestigious Macedonian cavalry
units known as the Hetairoi. These heavy cavalrymen were Alexanders shock troops and were
the finest cavalry in the world at the time. As some of the best-trained and equipped soldiers in
Alexanders army, the Hetairoi were an obvious choice for Alexanders personal bodyguard.
The Romans borrowed many things from the Greeks, including the idea of an elite personal
guard for their leaders. The Praetorian Guard was originally formed to protect Roman generals in
the field. Over time, however, the unit eventually transformed into a personal protection force for
the Emperors of Rome. In fact, the Guards became so powerful that they sometimes played the
role of kingmaker. In one instance, the Praetorian Guard conspired with Roman Senators to
assassinate the Emperor Caligula and appoint his uncle, Claudius, as Emperor of Rome. Due to
its continual interference in Roman politics, the Praetorian Guard was dissolved by Emperor
Constantine in the 4th Century.

Early Executive Protection: East Asia

The need for executive protection and bodyguards was not exclusive to Europe. East Asia also
saw the rise of elite personal protection units. In Japan, around 900 AD, the Samurai started
coming into being. Initially, the Samurai served as feudal warriors to Japans nobility. However,
they rose over time to become a powerful warrior class within feudal Japan. In fact, the Samurai
would later prove instrumental to the Shogunate, the military government that ruled Japan until
the late 19th century.
Like Japan, China also retained elite units of bodyguards to protect their Emperors. However,
these guard forces changed with the dynasties of China. For instance, the Tang dynasty used a

heredity force of bodyguards known as the Forbidden Troops. In contrast, the Qing dynastys
Imperial Guards Brigade was drawn from military units from around the country. This units
forces were divided into three sub-units. The smallest of these units, the Imperial Bodyguard,
was manned by the most trusted men in the Brigade.

The History of the Bodyguard: Early to Modern

Because early bodyguards and personal protection units have had such highly respected roles,
they often have become part of the national tradition. For example, the personal protective units
of several monarchies have been in service for centuries. For example, the Queens Guard[1] and
Queens Life Guard have protected the Monarchs of England since 1660. These Guards can still
be seen today and have become one of Londons most enduring attractions.
Like the English, the Pope still utilizes a guard force with centuries of tradition. In fact, the
Papacy has been protected by the Swiss Guard since 1506. As its name suggests, this unit was
initially formed out of mercenary units from Switzerland. This was probably due to the fact that,
during the Middle Ages, the Swiss were considered to be some of the best fighters in Europe.
Swiss Guard admission requirements continue to reflect these historical roots. Today, a Swiss
Guard must have Swiss citizenship and must have received military training in Switzerland.