A large organized force armed and trained for war,
especially on land. The term may be applied to a large unit organized
for independent action, or it may be applied to a nation's or ruler's
complete military organization for land warfare.
Throughout
history, the character and organization of armies have changed. Social
and political aspects of nations at different periods resulted in
revision in the makeup of armies. New weapons influenced the nature of
warfare and the organization of armies. At various times armies have
been built around infantry soldiers or mounted warriors or men in
machines. They have been made up of professionals or amateurs, of
mercenaries fighting for pay or for plunder, or of patriots fighting
for a cause. Consideration of the development of armies must be made in
the light of the times in which the particular army was forged and the
campaigns that it fought.
