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1. How were soldiers recruited?
During the Roman Republic (509 BC - 44 BC), when the Senate declared war, a red flag would be raised over the capitol of Rome, signaling all landowning men between 17 to 46 years old to report within 30 days for military duty. The generals would then gather at the capitol to select their men. The wealthiest -- also the best equipped men -- were chosen first.
By the time of the Roman Empire (44 BC), the army was a large, organized entity, recruiting career soldiers from all parts of the empire. To join a legion, a recruit went to the recruitment office in a provincial capital for an interview. The recruit presented a probatio, a letter of introduction written by a local official or his father -- especially if his father had served in the army. Since only Roman citizens were allowed to serve in the legion, the probatio identified the soldier's status. A non-Roman, could join the army, but had to serve with the auxiliary forces. The recruits had to be able to read and write and be at least 5' 7" with good eyesight and hearing. Once accepted, recruits took the military oath, swearing to obey their officers and not to desert.
2. What training did soldiers receive?
All recruits underwent rigorous training, spending at least four months learning to become a soldier. First recruits were taken on long marches that covered 20 miles in five hours. They would then cover the same distance loaded with weapons, tools and rations. At the end of their long march, they had to dig trenches and build ramparts for their overnight camp.
After mastering marching, the soldier was then trained in the handling of weapons. Using wooden swords and shields twice as heavy as real weapons, soldiers attacked large wooden stakes. Soldiers learned different moves while practicing on the stakes. Later, during combat training based on techniques taught in gladiator schools, soldiers were paired. After this training, soldiers learned to use the pilum, or javelin, using wooden stakes as targets.
Legionaries also had to learn battle formations including single line, double line, square and wedge. They were also trained to form the famous Roman formation, the testudo, or the tortoise, in which they protected themselves from missiles by layering their shields over the heads and sides in a tightly packed group of men.
3. Were soldiers paid for their military service?
Since military service began as a duty to Rome, Roman soldiers were originally unpaid. But by the 4th century BC, soldiers began to receive a stipendium to cover their expenses. As military service developed into a career, the stipendium began to be regarded as pay, but a portion of it still went to rations and equipment. In addition to pay, soldiers received cash payments from emperors that ensured loyalty. Victorious soldiers also received a share of the loot and slaves. Upon retirement, soldiers often received land grants and cash gifts.
4. How were soldiers promoted?
Most soldiers began military service as foot soldiers. After several years, a foot soldier could be promoted to the cavalry, which meant more money -- probably for the upkeep of his horse. A soldier could also become an immunes, a clerk or tradesman, though his pay rate would not change.
The next step was to become a principales, a member of -junior and senior staff. The junior staffers such as tesserarius those in charge of the watch and the distribution of the daily passwords -- received pay and a half and were called sesquiplicarii. Among the senior staff (or duplicarii) who received double pay were the signferi -- those in charge of the legion's standard or symbol.
One of the most prestigious positions in the legionary was that of a centurion. Promotion to this position was an important step for a soldier and was only achieved after 15 to 20 years of service. Centurions received significantly higher pay and often had large households and slaves. The primus pilus, the highest ranking centurion, attended the council of war which advised the legate or general.
5. What were the rewards for bravery?
Although promotion and the increased pay that came with it were welcomed by soldiers, awards was sometimes more important. These decorations were proof of a soldier's bravery and gave the bearer higher status within the military community; especially within their own units. Soldiers were awarded decorations -- necklaces (torques), armbands (armillae) or discs worn on the uniform (phalerae) -- at public ceremonies that occurred after an end of a campaign or battle. Their generals honored them by emphasizing their achievements in front of commanders and comrades.
6. How long would legionaries serve in the military?
Technically, under the republic there was no army if Rome was at peace. But since Rome was constantly at war, soldiers were always at the ready. By the first century BC, service was for six years. The Emperor Augustus later increased it to 20 years, with an additional minimum of five years in reserve.
7. What other duties would a legionary perform?
Legionaries were not only skilled soldiers, they were also great engineers. They built bridges, camps, forts, and siege works while on a military campaign. Legionaries not directly engaged in campaigns remained productive by building roads, aqueducts, and shipping canals for civilian use. Policing duties also fell into the hands of legionaries. They patrolled roads and towns, suppressed minor civil disorders, and enforced taxation.
8. Were legionaries allowed to have families?
Soldiers were not allowed to marry while in the military. However, most men had unofficial families with local women from where they were stationed. Their sons would often join the military.
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Roman soldiers glorified on Trajan's Column.
The famous testudo or turtle formation performed by Roman legionaries.
Legionaries lay siege to a Dacian fort.
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