In 1867, the first four elite "Evzone" light battalions were formed, of four companies each (soon expanded to five), with the task of guarding the frontier. In the first years the Regiments were staffed by volunteer soldiers and sergeants from the highland Greece.

During the Balkan Wars, the Evzone battalions distinguished themselves for their fighting spirit and became a symbol of valor. Particularly in the battles of Bizaniou and Kilkis-Lachana the Battalions of Evzones suffered the most casualties  ever, because at no time did they turn their back to the enemy and were the force of the entire Greek Army. The glory of Evzones Regiments continued in the Asia Minor Campaign.

The bravery and the heroism was linked even more during the epic ‘40s culminating in the cover of LIFE magazine on December 16th in 1940 , praising the heroism of the Greek Tsolia in the battles of Pindus and on the Greek mountains in Northern Epirus.

During the occupation, German occupation forces allowed to the –then- Palatial Guard to continue on guarding The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in respect of the dead. The occupied government of Rallis decided that the Regiments of Evzones would cooperate with the occupying forces. This led in giving them a negative term ‘Germanotsoliades’.The actions of that era resulted in their dissolution. Since then and until today they have a symbolic role and perform missions with ceremonial character.