What was the largest mercenary army in history?
1. The Ten Thousand. As chronicled in the historian Xenophon’s “Anabasis,” the “Ten Thousand” were a motley assortment of Greek warriors contracted by Cyrus the Younger to help oust his brother King Artaxerxes II from the Persian throne.
What is the biggest mercenary in the world?
5 Of the World’s Most Elite Mercenary Armies
- Academi.
- Defion Internacional.
- Aegis Defense Services.
- Triple Canopy.
- G4S Secure Solutions.
Why are Vatican guards Swiss?
After the Piedmontese invasion of Rome, the Swiss Guard declined in the later 19th century into a purely ceremonial body with low standards. Guards on duty at the Vatican were “Swiss” only in name, mostly born in Rome to parents of Swiss descent and speaking the Roman dialect.
Who protects Vatican City?
The Swiss Guard
The Swiss Guard of the Vatican is the only Swiss Guard that is still active today. The unit was founded by Pope Julius II in 1506. Many guards died protecting a later pope during the looting of Rome of 1527 (commemorating the anniversary of this ‘martyrdom’ has since become a tradition).
What is Blackwater mercenary?
Blackwater USA began in 1997 by Al Clark and Erik Prince. They started out as a private security firm providing training support to law enforcement, the justice department, and military organizations and received their first contract from the United States government in 2000 after the bombing of the USS Cole.
What does Swiss mercenaries stand for?
Swiss mercenaries. Swiss mercenaries ( Reisläufer) were notable for their service in foreign armies, especially the armies of the Kings of France, throughout the Early Modern period of European history, from the Later Middle Ages into the Age of the European Enlightenment. Their service as mercenaries was at its peak during the Renaissance,…
What happened to the Swiss mercenaries during the Renaissance?
Their service as mercenaries was at its peak during the Renaissance, when their proven battlefield capabilities made them sought-after mercenary troops. There followed a period of decline, as technological and organizational advances counteracted the Swiss’ advantages.
Where can I find information about mercenaries?
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What is the name of the Swiss mercenaries in Hamlet?
In William Shakespeare ‘s Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 5, Swiss mercenaries are called “Switzers” ( Switzer is actually what the Swiss were called in English until the 19th century, hence Switzerland).