Legal Definitions - exercitus

exercitus

In historical legal contexts, exercitus refers to an army or an armed force. This term, originating from Latin, was used to describe a group of individuals organized and equipped for military purposes, regardless of its exact size, ranging from a small contingent to a large legion.

• During the Roman Republic, a general leading several legions into battle against a rival empire would be described as commanding a formidable exercitus. This illustrates the term's application to a large, structured military force engaged in significant conflict.

• In a historical account of a medieval lord defending his castle, the small but well-trained contingent of knights and archers he assembled to repel invaders could also be referred to as an exercitus. Here, the term highlights an organized armed group, even if not on the scale of a national army, dedicated to a specific military objective.

• An ancient legal text discussing the rights and duties of citizens might refer to the city-state's standing guard, responsible for maintaining order and defending the walls, as an exercitus. This demonstrates that the term could encompass any organized body of armed individuals serving a military or defensive function for a community or state.