Rome's Patrician Republic
Tides of History
Warbands vs. Armies: Loyalty and Origins
Warbands, not armies, historically engaged in raiding, plundering, and stealing livestock, showing loyalty to leaders rather than a state. A state army may consist of warbands, but they are aligned with the state due to shared interests, not state command. Warbands, common throughout history, reflect a private army structure. States often delegate military force-raising to wealthy individuals or mercenaries, as seen in the Italian Condottieri and medieval European armies. Germanic barbarians, Vikings, nomadic groups, Arabs post-Prophet Muhammad, and modern private security contractors also acted as warbands.
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