Who are the warriors? Basically, when they talk about them, the history of the Russian state and its defenders, warriors-heroes come to mind. But the meaning is not limited to this. He has several interpretations, albeit close to each other. Details of the meaning of the word "vigilantes" below.
What is said in the dictionary?
The explanatory word says that the warrior is one who is a member of the squad. He is more often a warrior. Thus, you need to figure out what a squad is. This will provide an opportunity to understand the meaning of the word.
Let's turn to the current dictionary again. It says that the squads are different. Here is some of them:
- The union of armed men who are under the prince and form the core of his army. Members of such a squad helped the prince fulfill his managerial functions. These associations took place in Russia in the period of 9-13 centuries.
- A group of people created in accordance with the principle of volunteerism is designed to achieve certain goals. It could be a pioneer or popular squad.
- The military unit that was present in Russia until 1917 in the militia troops. They formed on an irregular basis.
Consequently, combatants are members of the above and similar associations. What functions did they perform? The most interesting story will be about the vigilantes of the prince and those who were in Soviet times a voluntary assistant to the police.
Russian warriors
As indicated above, the prince's warriors in Russia formed the basis of his army in the 9-13 centuries. They were the same necessary element in society as the prince. The latter needed warriors to ensure order in their possessions, as well as fend off constant enemy raids.
The warriors were a real military "weapon", always at hand and in full combat readiness. In addition, they were princely advisers.
The value of warriors for the prince cannot be overestimated. Such military force gave him the opportunity to conquer a profitable table, that is, reign in the most advantageous place for him. They raised the status of ruler in the eyes of ordinary people. The prince who managed to unite many skillful, bold knights around himself, and he himself was hope and support in defense against enemies.
As you know, in those days there was a continuous difficult struggle between the princes. Therefore, external protection was almost a paramount task. Proceeding from this, the princes treated their warriors very well. They highly valued them, protected them, gave them generous gifts and provided decent salaries.
Duties of the Prince's Vigilantes
Members of the prince's squad were the foundation on which the state apparatus and the entire military organization in Russia were built. They had to perform the following functions:
- guard the grand duke;
- collect tribute;
- participate in trade expeditions;
- carry out military campaigns;
- suppress rebellion;
- assist in local management;
- engage in self-training in military craft;
- maintain combat readiness;
- participate in the council, which was under the prince.
Thus, the warriors were the closest entourage of the prince. And at the same time, they formed the foundation on which such a standing body as a squad was built. They turned into those who protected common economic interests, and became an influential political force.
Some information about the warriors
In conclusion of the consideration of the question of who are the warriors in Ancient Russia, we will give some information that has survived to this day about events in their lives.
- In some cases, the oldest warriors may have their own warrior units.
- The prince kept warriors on the income that he received from the volost. In addition, they were assigned a certain part of the conquered prey.
- If suddenly someone killed the senior combatant, they took from him a virus that had a double size. Vira in Ancient Russia was understood as punishment in the form of levying monetary penalties. Over time, this rule also extended to the punishment for killing minors.
- When the prince was dying, the warriors went to the one who was his successor. Because of this, sometimes there were not one, but two squads in the principality, which often competed.
- With the affirmation in certain areas of Rurik's descendants, the warriors become more settled, and the retinue becomes local. In the 12th century, the warriors of the prince receive land ownership. Thanks to these changes, they gradually begin to supplant the boyars, taking away their veche and bureaucratic functions. The value of the veche and its regiments is also decreasing. Between warriors and boyars, confrontation is growing.
National and voluntary
The warriors who were in the voluntary people's squad (DND) existed during the Soviet era. It was an organization created to provide ordinary citizens with law enforcement assistance. Its members helped protect public order and the state border, conducted educational work among the population.
The formation of voluntary detachments took place at the enterprise, street, house management, collective farm level. They had the status of amateur public organizations. The national combatants were assisted by the state, party bodies, the Komsomol and the trade unions. In modern Russia since 2014, the revival of the DND began.