Mercenary, << MUR suh `nehr` ee, >> is a person who serves for pay in the armed forces of a foreign country. Most men and women who become mercenaries do so to make money or because they love war or adventure.
In ancient times, Persia, Greece, and Rome used mercenaries. Mercenaries were most common from about 1100 to 1500. During that time, many rulers hired trained professional soldiers to protect their states. During the American Revolution (1775-1783), Britain (later also called the United Kingdom) hired German soldiers called Hessians to fight the American colonists. The colonists got help from such foreign military leaders as Casimir Pulaski of Poland and Baron von Steuben of Prussia.
Modern countries sometimes use mercenaries instead of—or as part of—their military forces. The French Foreign Legion is a well-known modern mercenary force. Some modern mercenaries work for firms called private military companies (PMC’s), which began to flourish in the 1990’s. Governments hire such firms for a wide range of services, from providing bodyguards to fighting in direct combat. Such mercenaries served in the Afghanistan War (2001-2021) and the Iraq War (2003-2011). PMC’s are controversial for a variety of reasons. For example, it is sometimes unclear which laws apply to their employees.
