Members of a military community from Eastern Europe and Russia, known for their skilled horsemanship and warrior traditions.
From Russian 'kazak,' possibly from Turkic 'qazaq' meaning 'nomad' or 'free warrior.' The term emerged in the 15th-16th centuries to describe fierce cavalry groups who became legendary fighters and settlers in frontier regions.
Cossacks literally shaped history through their military innovations—their cavalry tactics influenced warfare across Europe, and they were so independent that governments struggled to control them, making them both respected warriors and rebellious outsiders.
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