The meaning of the word squad in Old Russian society came down to the definition of military force, personally controlled by the prince and not connected with the land and local residents. Warriors received their salary from the personal princely treasury, which ensured a high level of loyalty in tense moments of ancient Russian history, when not only foreign aggressors, but also their own subjects could threaten the prince.
The historical significance of the squad
"The word about Igor’s regiment", which is an invaluable source of information about the mores and life of ancient Russian society. It was from there that a lot of knowledge was gained about how society was organized and what place was assigned to combatants in its structure.
In the story, the prince turns to his warriors for advice, communicates with them as an equal with equals and, obviously, respects their opinion, although he comes into conflict with them on some issues.
According to reliable information, it is known that the number of combatants rarely exceeded several hundred people, and their ethnic composition was extremely heterogeneous. The prince's squad consisted exclusively of mercenaries, which means that immigrants from various tribes and lands were accepted into it. There were many Germans, Balts and Slavs from different tribes.
However, the social status of the warriors was approximately the same until the twelfth century, after which there was a sharp division of the squads into several categories of different levels.
The squad during the period of specific principalities
By the time the Russian principalities begin to separate, significant changes are also taking place in the structure of the squad. At the turn of the Xl-Xll centuries, groups belonging to the hereditary squad, having significant influence within the army and some accumulations, stand out from a rather strong community.
Historians distinguish the oldest squad, sculpted, front and young. The oldest squads included the boyars and the closest advisers to the prince. As for the younger squad, there is no unequivocal information about its composition. It is assumed that it consisted of either very young combatants, or non-free people. But it is reliably known that the younger squad did not participate in princely councils, which, possibly, was due to its multiplicity.
The evolution of the meaning of the word
The squad was mobile and always followed the prince as retinue and bodyguards. However, when the Rurik family was divided into several houses, each of which was fortified in a certain city, the squad also became more settled and gradually began to turn from just military force into the city aristocracy. Along with the change in the function of the prince's squad, the meaning of the word also changed and began to mean not only the military, but also the close ones of the prince.
In modern Russian, the word squad means voluntary groups of citizens who help the police in policing.