blog Blood for Money: The Origins of the Mercenary

[Featured Author]

Black Dragon submitted a new blog post:

Blood for Money: The Origins of the Mercenary
This article is by B.K. Bass, and is presented by Worldbuilding Magazine.

“Diplomacy without arms is like music without instruments.”​

—Frederick the Great, Prussian King (1712-1786)​

Everybody has likely heard the phrase “the world’s oldest profession” associated with prostitution. However, that phrase originates from the 1889 short story “On the City Wall” by Rudyard Kipling. While there are ancient references to the occupation of prostitution, such as brothels in ancient Rome and biblical references like King Solomon’s “three hundred concubines,” there are even older references to another profession: the mercenary soldier.1

What if prostitution isn’t the world’s oldest profession? One could assume that as far back as the paleolithic era, individuals would engage in violence not to ensure their own survival, but rather for a share of the spoils resulting from said actions. The same could be said for trading intimate favors for food, shelter, or other gains. So, the mystery of the world’s oldest profession may be lost in the shroud of the past. What one cannot deny is that as long as mankind has existed, we have been killing each other for a variety of reasons; be they the protection of our own property and communities or some sort of personal gain.

Some may argue that killing for personal gain is...
Continue reading the Original Blog Post.

 

[Insolent Lad]

Flaubert's 'Salammbo' is a pretty good historical novel set in the 'Truceless War.' If people read that instead of 'Madame Bovary' they might be more fond of the old Frenchman.

 

[Pemry Janes]

Interesting article, I actually use a mercenary company in my new book. Though there they're contracted by a merchant. Was that actually something that happened or were people who worked for private entities called something other than mercenaries?