Original Dune
This article or section refers to elements from Original Dune.
A Conscript referred to a soldier in an army.
During the time of the Faufreluches, the Great Houses of the Landsraad relied on conscripts as part of their standing armies.
It was said that any one Imperial Sardaukar soldier was a match for 10 Landsraad military conscripts[1].
Behind the Scenes
The source of some of this information is the Index of Frank Herbert's original Dune (novel), under the "Saudaukar" entry. The rest is inferred from information available throughout the original Dune novels regarding the armies of House Atreides and House Harkonnen.
The term Conscript is from the Latin Conscriptus, meaning "He who has enrolled or been listed".
- ↑ Notice the emphasis on the words "Landsraad military conscript". Perhaps the Landsraad had to submit drafts of soldiers when required by the Emperor as part of their duties. It would explain why Shaddam IV needed to cajole the Landsraad to accompany him to Arrakis instead of commanding a centralized Imperial force obedient only to him. It might also mean that the Emperor could compel the Landsraad to donate other forms of conscripts, like laborers, artisans, technicians, etc.