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DORYPHORI

Volume 8 · 50 words · 1842 Edition

(from δορυ, spear, and φορειν, I bear), an appellation given to the life-guardmen of the Roman emperors. They were held in such high estimation as frequently to have the command of armies conferred on them. It was usual also for commanders-in-chief to have their doryphori or life-guard to attend them.