The Origins of Infantry and Infantry

The latin word for baby or small child was infants, which literally meant not speaking. The modern english word infant comes to us directly from the latin word infants. In the roman military, the newest soldiers were not ready for cavalry or advanced responsibilities, so they were relegated to duty on foot. Since they were to obey orders and not speak unless spoken to the term infants, was used to create the term infantry. This is the root of the word adolescent, in other words, one who is growing up.