Samurai
At a glance:
- Series: Magill’s Guide to Military History
- Categories: Military History
- Subcategories: Generals, Military Officers, Soldiers, Feudalism, Serfs, Peasants
- Curriculum: Asian History
- Geographical Location: Japan
- Date: c. 1100-1871
Article abstract: Military significance: The samurai enabled feudal barons to wage war on and gain power over other barons.
During the tenth and eleventh centuries in Japan, powerful aristocrats came to control most of the country’s wealth. Lower ranking aristocrats dissatisfied with the monopoly would assume posts in the provinces where they were free to acquire land and broaden their power base. Armed conflicts were commonplace as armies of highly trained soldiers vied with each other to amass power and property. The nucleus of these armies were warriors,...
[The entire page is 381 words long]
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