Reloader
02-10-05, 21:56
Ever wondered where the infantry got their name? I've always thought it a strange word and did a wee bit of 'Googling'. There are several schools of thought, one of which is that it is derived from a Spanish Princess, or 'Infanta', who marched at the head of a body of soldiers and won a famous victory.
I preferred another explanation about how it originated, amongst which is:-
'.....it is evident, that although the primary sources of infantry are in the Greek and Latin languages, its modern derivation is from the Italian word fante, which signifies a follower. In the first stages of modern warfare, battles were chiefly fought by cavalry or horsemen ; but in Italy, and afterwards in Spain, the bodies of horse were always attended by a certain number of squires or armed men on foot, who marched in the rear, and assisted their leaders.'
Sounds good enough for me. army;
I preferred another explanation about how it originated, amongst which is:-
'.....it is evident, that although the primary sources of infantry are in the Greek and Latin languages, its modern derivation is from the Italian word fante, which signifies a follower. In the first stages of modern warfare, battles were chiefly fought by cavalry or horsemen ; but in Italy, and afterwards in Spain, the bodies of horse were always attended by a certain number of squires or armed men on foot, who marched in the rear, and assisted their leaders.'
Sounds good enough for me. army;