Were all mercenaries without a home to return to considered bandits while unemployed?

[XDeath007]

In Xenophon's Anabasis when Cyrus hired the Greek mercenaries, it seemed that the mercenary group was actually comprised of smaller groups from varying backgrounds lead by their own individual leaders. I believe Cyrus sent word to various Greek cities of a need for mercenaries and a meeting spot was chosen in advance. However, this was still a large group of people that needed constant supplies so looting was a necessity to stay alive throughout their journey to and from hostile territory.

In this case, many of the mercenaries seemed to have been citizens of their respective city-states and could go home when the mercenaries were no longer needed. Therefore, my guess is that the survival looting would only last during the duration of a campaign/contract for these men.

However, what happens if the mercenaries had no home to return to? I imagine that at least some mercenary groups had periods of unemployment yet they still somehow had to sustain themselves. Would this not force them to become bandits to just survive?

[HarkonRules]

Mercenaries of antiquity with no current employment and with no savings to buy small plots of land and become legal inhabitants somewhere did often turn to banditry, yes. This wasn't just the case with mercenaries, though they are indeed among the oldest types of professional soldiers. Marian-era Roman legionnaries out of service or even retired but with unsatisfying pensions also turned to banditry, as the army's wages + plunder was really their only source of income and often they had little skills that could be useful in civilian life as they tended to join the army very early in life. So they did the only thing they knew at times... They became thugs, highwaymen, enforcers, assassins, etc.

[PaleMan]

I agree with the above points of Miles. Yes it was nit just a case of mercenaries. However it depended on some types of troopers who are already skilled. Roman legionnaires was out of service, there was many issues regarding it such as dissatisficatory pensions etc. These are the imp source main problems actually raised. Thank you miles for giving such a satisfying answer. You really need a round of applause.