Mercenaries Through the Ages March 3-5, 2027 Downtown Library, Sioux Falls, SD
The Many Faces of War XII: An annual hybrid interdisciplinary conference on the experience and impact of war throughout history.
The study of warfare is often restricted to the sphere of military history and rarely allowed to transcend the artificial boundaries of historical study, namely those limited by geography and periodization. Throughout the ages war has had the greatest impact, not on the political elite who declare wars but on those who fight and die and their families and friends. This annual interdisciplinary conference aims to address both the experience and impact of war for those fighting as well as for those on the periphery.
With the Russo-Ukrainian War and the events of the Wagner group as well as the recent attempted or successful mercenary coups around Africa and Asia, soldiers of fortune are just as relevant now as they ever have been. From popular depictions such as The A-Team or The Wild Geese, or even bounty hunter armies in Star Wars, the idea of soldiers for hire has gone through many iterations. This conference aims to approach the history of mercenaries through all periods of conflict examining such things as origins of mercenaries and their ideals, their impact on specific conflicts, cultures, or societies, or their enduring public image.
The conference aims at an interdisciplinary approach and underappreciated aspects of war and nation building are especially welcome. All periods of history are of interest and all related disciplines especially English and archival studies.
We also welcome papers on any and all aspects of military history from any discipline.
The conference is aimed equally at postgraduate students, researchers in the early stages of their careers and established academics.
There are no specific geographical or temporal parameters regarding the subject matter of papers, and scholars and students of ancient, medieval and modern warfare are encouraged to submit proposals. We would also encourage the proposal of panels of three or four papers.
Send an abstract of 300 words and a brief bio to Graham Wrightson (graham.wrightson@sdstate.edu) before December 1, 2026.