Сотенная организация в городах Великого княжества Литовского

Abstract

Sotnya’s (hundreds) in the cities of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the early New Age are a unique phenomenon in which Belarusian historians see traditions of the ancient Rus. However, in the sources of the 15th–18th centuries there are no mentions of continuity with the urban tradition of the previous era, and the spread of hundreds and tens in the cities on the border of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania was caused by the military confrontation with the Moscow State and the Crimean Khanate. They may have originated on the basis of local traditions of the organization of the infantry, which has its roots in times of ancient Rus, at the same time on their formation could have a significant influence the pattern of organization of the Polish infantry. Hundreds and tens remained of military importance until the middle of the 17th century, but from their appearance until the 18th century, they were equally effective fiscal and administrative units and influenced local government.