True, stating that they were mercenaries is a big leap that needs further proof (some compensation for their efforts beyond any sense of duty as citizens from e

True, stating that they were mercenaries is a big leap that needs further proof (some compensation for their efforts beyond any sense of duty as citizens from extended colonies). I’d posit that these individuals could also have been slaves that were used as “meat-shields” to soften opposing armies resulting in a higher ratio of deaths amongst the group.