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The Original Executive Protection Organizations

Wednesday, 27 March 2019

The Praetorian Guard, The Gurkhas, & The Swiss Guard

 

Here are three groups/organizations that began years ago, and where and what they did that relates to executive protection in the present:

 

The Praetorian Guard

The Praetorian Guard originated in the Roman Empire. This organization originated during the Roman Republic and served many purposes. “In the Republican period, the Praetorians were a small escort which protected an army commander, general, or governor. Their name derives from the commander's tent, a praetorium” (Ancient History Encyclopedia). These guards “were known to engage in espionage, intimidation, arrests and killings to protect the interests of the Roman emperor” (History.com). Not only were the Praetorian Guards tasked to protect the Roman Emperor, there was a high chance that “they were willing to slaughter and install new emperors when tempted by promises of money or power” (History.com).

The Gurkhas

The Gurkhas were warriors based in the mountain region of Gorkha in Nepal which is how they got their name. The Gurkhas “fought a war against the British East India Company, beginning in 1814 and ending in a peace treaty signed in 1815 and ratified in 1816 after the company's forces suffered heavy casualties” (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). “There are two Gurkha officers who directly attend official state and key events with the Queen. They are called the Queen's Gurkha Orderly Officers, and they've been present at all state affairs since the Gurkha's introduction during Queen Victoria's reign” (The Telegraph).

The Swiss Guard

The Swiss Guard was in charge of the Pope’s protection which included securing the Apostolic Palace. This organization is sometimes also referred to as the Vatican City police, even though there is a separate police force which is in charge of the overall security of the people (The Encyclopedia Britannica). “The 130 members of the Swiss Guard are required to be Catholic, unmarried Swiss citizens who have completed Swiss military service. They need to be at least 5ft 8in tall and between the ages of 19 and 30” (The Telegraph).

 

The most obvious concept from these three groups is protecting a high authority official like a king/queen, etc. As you can see, the concept of protecting others goes a long way back in history.

 

 

 

 

 

Just in Case URLS:

https://www.ancient.eu/Praetorian_Guard/

https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-praetorian-guard

https://www.history.com/news/8-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-praetorian-guard

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-06/bravest-of-the-brave-who-are-the-fierce-gurkhas/9839746

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/10-things-no-one-tells-you-before-you-join-the-gurkhas1/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Swiss-Guards

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/vaticancityandholysee/8873853/A-history-of-the-Vaticans-Swiss-Guard.html

Last modified
Wednesday, 27 March 2019
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