II.

History

Military service as a fundamental obligation of citizenship dates from early times. In the ancient Greek city-states, young men were required to serve several years in the citizen militia, a system that reached its highest development in the citizen-soldier class of martial Sparta. In the Roman Republic compulsory service in the militia was regarded as a privilege, and all male citizens between the ages of 17 and 60 served without pay, the older men being restricted to garrison duty. Delinquency was punished by imprisonment and confiscation of property. Toward the end of the 2nd century bc, the citizen militia was replaced by professionals and mercenaries.

When weapons were expensive, armies were small and aristocratic, as in the Middle Ages. When weapons were cheap, armies became large and democratic, as after the development of firearms. Poor nations depended on citizen militias and mercenaries. Universal compulsory service was suggested by the Italian statesman, historian, and political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli in the 16th century, and the Swiss army was composed entirely of conscripted troops. By the 18th century, military ranks were filled by the poorest of society, and impressment and enticement were the usual methods of recruiting.