Greek royal escort guard established by King George I

Establishment and Original Name. The guard was established by Royal Decree on 24 December 1868 as an independent battalion-sized unit called the Agema, meaning 'escort'. It comprised a staff, two Evzone infantry companies, and one cavalry company. This formation occurred in Athens, the capital of the Kingdom of Greece, which remained a monarchy until 1924.

Historical Nomenclature Correction. The legacy designation 'Presidential Guard' is anachronistic for 1868. The unit was originally the Agema. The name 'Presidential Guard' was only adopted following the restoration of democracy in 1974. During George I's reign, the unit functioned as a royal escort, reflecting the political reality of the Greek monarchy at that time.

Unit Composition and Stability. The Agema's composition remained unaltered during the reign of King George I (1863–1913). It included a staff, two Evzone infantry companies, and one cavalry company. Significant reorganization occurred later under King Constantine I in 1914, reducing it to two platoons, but this falls outside the scope of the 1868 establishment event.