Misopinionated,

It was common practice with the Romans, the Spartans, and maybe the Chinese and Tsarist Russians - and certainly the British long afterwards (viz. 'Danny Boy') - for soldiers to be recruited, even conscripted, for twenty-odd years, on the promise of being given land (and slaves or serfs) of their own out on the frontiers, where they would be expected to answer the call to arms if ever their part of the frontier was threatened.

Pity you didn't study history :(

Joe

FOULmouth,

I told you how many time that I have an MA in history?

You are as ignorant as Bazz. Neither of you can grasp the key issue in the definition of what makes a standing army.

You think all armies are standing armies because they are armies.

This is what I get when discussing something with people who couldn't even get into history degree program let even get through it.

Why do I waste my million dollar brain talking to you one dollar brains?

Misop,

I suppose they never taught military history at your pre-school. Mercenary armies have been quite common throughout history and, by definition, they are armies for hire, perhaps fluid in terms of membership but nevertheless, standing armies. Most of Bonnie Prince Charlie's army at Culloden were mercenaries, Poles, French, Irish.

In Russia, the Cossacks were usually frontier soldiers for life, trash of all sorts but nevertheless an army posted on the frontier for life, every so often, when the Tsar had a mind, they would be pushed out into 'hostile' territory, to seize it and parcel it out amongst their fellow Cossacks.

Actually, I would have thought that any empire, in its expansionist and holding phases, would have standing armies. Perhaps even the Assyrian and Babylonian armies ? Chengiz Khan's Mongol armies ? Frederick 'the Great''s armies ? Napoleon's ?

Back to the books, my boy :)

Joe

FOULmouth,

What are you trying to demonstrate: that you don't need a degree in history to tell someone that you know something about history.

Who cares!

And stop living in your make-believe world!

Hmmm, I think I have had enough of the opinionated BSA.
Most here do not have to skite about their education or lack of it.
Individual, Britain and other parts of Europe have large
Roman military establishments surrounded by rock walls that were there
for the occupation and some are still there swallowed up by major towns,
such as Londinium that developed around them.
The plans are well known and published with the Generals quarters in
the centre at a cross roads.

I have never been to Londinium but I have visited Vindobona several times.
The Romans wouldn't recognise the place now, they'd think they're in Somalia !