Russia is expanding its system of military training for schoolchildren. In 2026, the Ministry of Education made basic military training a separate course and…
From Middle French infanterie, from older Italian, possibly from Spanish infantería (“foot soldiers, force composed of those too inexperienced or low in rank for cavalry”), from infante (“foot soldier”), originally “a youth”, either way from Latin īnfāns (“child”); see there for more.
And “soldier” comes from “solidus”, a Roman gold coin. So soldier = one who receives pay. It’s more involved than that but basically yeah.
“Mercenary” also has its roots in “merce” = “goods” or “merchandise”. So mercenary is also rooted in payment. Also Mercurius was the god of among other thing commerce [edit: and thieves!]
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/infantry
And “soldier” comes from “solidus”, a Roman gold coin. So soldier = one who receives pay. It’s more involved than that but basically yeah.
“Mercenary” also has its roots in “merce” = “goods” or “merchandise”. So mercenary is also rooted in payment. Also Mercurius was the god of among other thing commerce [edit: and thieves!]
Alas we wax etymological!