Aspects of Military LifeAspects of Military Life

Length of ServiceLength of Service

13 BCE Augustus raised period of 13 BCE Augustus raised period of military service to 16 years (had been military service to 16 years (had been reduced to 6 during civil wars)reduced to 6 during civil wars)

5 CE raised it to 20 years; then were 5 CE raised it to 20 years; then were normally kept active or on reserve (as normally kept active or on reserve (as veterans) for another 4 or 5 yearsveterans) for another 4 or 5 years

i.e. legionnaires stationed in Spain i.e. legionnaires stationed in Spain were discharged after 25 years;were discharged after 25 years;

Being a soldier was a career for lifeBeing a soldier was a career for life

The reality of Roman military The reality of Roman military lifelife

He (Percennius, leader of the mutineers in Pannonia) said He (Percennius, leader of the mutineers in Pannonia) said that enough harm had been caused over the years by their that enough harm had been caused over the years by their passivity; old men,several of them with their bodies passivity; old men,several of them with their bodies disfigured by wounds, were serving their thirtieth or fortieth disfigured by wounds, were serving their thirtieth or fortieth year. There was no end to military service even when they year. There was no end to military service even when they were discharged, since they remained under the standards were discharged, since they remained under the standards and performed the same toil under another name. And, if and performed the same toil under another name. And, if anyone survived all these perils, he was dragged off to a anyone survived all these perils, he was dragged off to a distant country where he received under the name of a plot distant country where he received under the name of a plot of land waterlogged swamps or uncultivated of land waterlogged swamps or uncultivated mountainsides. Indeed military service was relentless and mountainsides. Indeed military service was relentless and unprofitable; body and spirit were valued at two and a half unprofitable; body and spirit were valued at two and a half sesterces a day, and out of this they had to pay for their sesterces a day, and out of this they had to pay for their clothing, weapons, and tents, and bribe vicious centurions clothing, weapons, and tents, and bribe vicious centurions to escape routine drudgery. to escape routine drudgery.

(Tacitus, Annals 1.17) Campbell # 20(Tacitus, Annals 1.17) Campbell # 20

Life as a Soldier:Life as a Soldier:The The immunesimmunes (specialists) (specialists)

The status of certain people grants them an exemption from The status of certain people grants them an exemption from more onerous duties; in this category are surveyors, the more onerous duties; in this category are surveyors, the hospital orderly, medical personnel, dressers, ditchers, hospital orderly, medical personnel, dressers, ditchers, farriers, architects, helmsmen, shipwrights, artillerymen, farriers, architects, helmsmen, shipwrights, artillerymen, glass-makers, smiths, arrow-makers, coppersmiths, helmet-glass-makers, smiths, arrow-makers, coppersmiths, helmet-makers, cartwrights, roof-makers, sword-makers, water pipe-makers, cartwrights, roof-makers, sword-makers, water pipe-makers, trumpet-makers, horn-makers, bow-makers, makers, trumpet-makers, horn-makers, bow-makers, plumbers, metal-workers, stone-cutters, men who burn lime, plumbers, metal-workers, stone-cutters, men who burn lime, men who cut wood, and men who chop and burn charcoal. In men who cut wood, and men who chop and burn charcoal. In the same category are normally placed butchers, hunters, the same category are normally placed butchers, hunters, men who look after animals for sacrifice, the orderly in men who look after animals for sacrifice, the orderly in charge of the workshop, men who attend the sick, clerks who charge of the workshop, men who attend the sick, clerks who can act as teachers, clerks of the grain store, clerks of money can act as teachers, clerks of the grain store, clerks of money left on deposit, clerks of property left without heirs, assistants left on deposit, clerks of property left without heirs, assistants of the chief clerks, grooms, horse-trainers (?), armourers, the of the chief clerks, grooms, horse-trainers (?), armourers, the herald, and the trumpeter All these men therefore are herald, and the trumpeter All these men therefore are classed as classed as immunes.immunes.

((Tarruntenus Paternus, book 1 Tarruntenus Paternus, book 1 On military affairsOn military affairs, (2, (2ndnd C. C. CE) ), Campbell # 35CE) ), Campbell # 35

Military tombstoneMilitary tombstone

"To Marcus Caelius, "To Marcus Caelius, son of Titus, of the son of Titus, of the Lemonian voting tribe, Lemonian voting tribe, from Bologna, a from Bologna, a centurion in the First centurion in the First Order of legio XVIII, Order of legio XVIII, aged 53; He fell in the aged 53; He fell in the Varian War. His bones Varian War. His bones - if found - may be - if found - may be placed in this placed in this monument. Publius monument. Publius Caelius, son of Titus, Caelius, son of Titus, of the Lemonian of the Lemonian voting voting  tribe, his brother, set  tribe, his brother, set this up." this up."

Cavalry equipment Cavalry equipment

Drawing of early Drawing of early imperial legionaryimperial legionary

Landesmuseum MainzLandesmuseum Mainz http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/

romanarmy_images.htmlromanarmy_images.html

Legionary on the Legionary on the marchmarch

(Landesmuseum Mainz) (Landesmuseum Mainz) http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanuhttp://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/romanarmy_images.htmls/romanarmy_images.html

'T(itus) Valerius T(iti) f(ilius) | 'T(itus) Valerius T(iti) f(ilius) | Cla(udia tribu) Pudens Cla(udia tribu) Pudens Sau(aria) | mil(es) leg(ionis) Sau(aria) | mil(es) leg(ionis) A(diutricis) P(iae) F(idelis) | A(diutricis) P(iae) F(idelis) | c(enturia) Dossenni | Proculi c(enturia) Dossenni | Proculi a(nnorum) XXX | aera [V]I a(nnorum) XXX | aera [V]I h(eres) d(e) s(uo) p(osuit) | h(eres) d(e) s(uo) p(osuit) | h(ic) s(itus) e(st) h(ic) s(itus) e(st)

('Titus Valerius Pudens, son of ('Titus Valerius Pudens, son of Titus, of the Claudian voting-Titus, of the Claudian voting-tribe, from Savaria, a soldier tribe, from Savaria, a soldier of the Second Legion Adjutrix of the Second Legion Adjutrix Pia Fidelis, in the century of Pia Fidelis, in the century of Dossennius Proculus, aged 30, Dossennius Proculus, aged 30, of 6 year's service; here he of 6 year's service; here he lies. His heir at his own lies. His heir at his own expense set this up.') expense set this up.')

Urban Forces Urban Forces 1 the Praetorian Guard1 the Praetorian Guard

Established by Augustus within Rome or nearbyEstablished by Augustus within Rome or nearby C. 6,000 urban forcesC. 6,000 urban forces 27 BCE Praetorian guard, elite unit, 9 cohorts 27 BCE Praetorian guard, elite unit, 9 cohorts Originally body guard for praetor, chief magistrate when Originally body guard for praetor, chief magistrate when

consuls absent from Rome; consuls absent from Rome; 22ndnd century accompanied emperor on campaigns (as body century accompanied emperor on campaigns (as body

guard); enforced political power at homeguard); enforced political power at home Under Augustus 3 of the 9 cohorts stationed in the city in Under Augustus 3 of the 9 cohorts stationed in the city in

civilian clothes; the other in towns near Rome (in civilian clothes; the other in towns near Rome (in compliance with tradition that no soldier should be within compliance with tradition that no soldier should be within the sacred the sacred pomeriumpomerium))

Under Tiberius (14-37 CE) they camped just outside the Under Tiberius (14-37 CE) they camped just outside the Servian walls; Servian walls;

Higher status and higher pay than legionnairesHigher status and higher pay than legionnaires Served for 12 years (later 16)Served for 12 years (later 16)

Praetorian recruitsPraetorian recruits

Originally primarily from Italian populationOriginally primarily from Italian population Under Septimius Severus (193-211 CE) they were Under Septimius Severus (193-211 CE) they were

disbanded for conspiring against the two previous disbanded for conspiring against the two previous emperors;emperors;

Recruited new ones from frontier legionsRecruited new ones from frontier legions

Augustus also added 100 Germans (Augustus also added 100 Germans (corporis corporis custodiscustodis) a bodyguard, (briefly disbanded after ) a bodyguard, (briefly disbanded after disastrous defeat of Varus in 9 CE) but disastrous defeat of Varus in 9 CE) but reconstituted before 14 CE;reconstituted before 14 CE;

Later 300 men were added = Later 300 men were added = exploratoresexploratores and the and the personal cavalry of emperor personal cavalry of emperor equites singulares equites singulares Augusti (Augusti (German horsemen)German horsemen)

Urban CohortsUrban Cohorts

13 CE added by Augustus 3 urban 13 CE added by Augustus 3 urban cohortes (cohortes (cohortes urbanaecohortes urbanae) = ) = policing force inside Rome; policing force inside Rome; commanded by the city prefect commanded by the city prefect ((Praefectus UrbiPraefectus Urbi), under emperor’s ), under emperor’s controlcontrol

each chort 500 strong commanded each chort 500 strong commanded by a tribune, and 6 centurionsby a tribune, and 6 centurions

Later number of urban cohorts Later number of urban cohorts increased, 7 under Claudiusincreased, 7 under Claudius

The The VigilesVigiles

6 CE Augustus established force of 6 CE Augustus established force of vigilesvigiles (firemen); drawn from lower (firemen); drawn from lower classes in Romeclasses in Rome

7 cohorts, nocturnal police and 7 cohorts, nocturnal police and firefightersfirefighters

By 3By 3rdrd century CE, like praetorians century CE, like praetorians considered a military forceconsidered a military force

Honours for a firemanHonours for a fireman

……soldier of the sixth praetorian soldier of the sixth praetorian cohort. The people of Ostia granted a cohort. The people of Ostia granted a place for his burial and decreed that place for his burial and decreed that he should be buried with a public he should be buried with a public funeral because he was killed while funeral because he was killed while extinguishing a fire.extinguishing a fire.

Frontage 12 feet, 25 feet backFrontage 12 feet, 25 feet backCIL 6.2489, Campbell # 60CIL 6.2489, Campbell # 60

Punishment - DecimationPunishment - Decimation 3838 If the same thing ever happens to large bodies, and if If the same thing ever happens to large bodies, and if

entire maniples desert their posts when exceedingly hard entire maniples desert their posts when exceedingly hard pressed, the officers refrain from inflicting the bastinado or pressed, the officers refrain from inflicting the bastinado or the death penalty on all, but find a solution of the difficulty the death penalty on all, but find a solution of the difficulty which is both salutary and terror-striking. which is both salutary and terror-striking. 22 The tribune  The tribune assembles the legion, and brings up those guilty of leaving assembles the legion, and brings up those guilty of leaving the ranks, reproaches them sharply, and finally chooses by the ranks, reproaches them sharply, and finally chooses by lots sometimes five, sometimes eight, sometimes twenty of lots sometimes five, sometimes eight, sometimes twenty of the offenders, so adjusting the number thus chosen that they the offenders, so adjusting the number thus chosen that they form as near as possible the tenth part of p357those guilty of form as near as possible the tenth part of p357those guilty of cowardice. cowardice. 33 Those on whom the lot falls are bastinadoed  Those on whom the lot falls are bastinadoed mercilessly in the manner above described; the rest receive mercilessly in the manner above described; the rest receive rations of barley instead of wheat and are ordered to encamp rations of barley instead of wheat and are ordered to encamp outside the camp on an unprotected spot. outside the camp on an unprotected spot. 44 As therefore the  As therefore the danger and dread of drawing the fatal lot affects all equally, danger and dread of drawing the fatal lot affects all equally, as it is uncertain on whom it will fall; and as the public as it is uncertain on whom it will fall; and as the public disgrace of receiving barley rations falls on all alike, this disgrace of receiving barley rations falls on all alike, this practice is that best calculated both the inspire fear and to practice is that best calculated both the inspire fear and to correct the mischief. (Polybius VI. 38)correct the mischief. (Polybius VI. 38)

PenaltiesPenalties 1010 On learning of this, the Senate angrily ordered the consuls to On learning of this, the Senate angrily ordered the consuls to

keep quiet, and chose Crassus to conduct the war, and many of keep quiet, and chose Crassus to conduct the war, and many of the nobles were induced by his reputation and their friendship for the nobles were induced by his reputation and their friendship for him to serve under him. Crassus himself, accordingly, took him to serve under him. Crassus himself, accordingly, took position on the borders of Picenum, expecting to receive the position on the borders of Picenum, expecting to receive the attack of Spartacus, who was hastening thither; and he sent attack of Spartacus, who was hastening thither; and he sent Mummius, his p343legate, with two legions, by a circuitous route, Mummius, his p343legate, with two legions, by a circuitous route, with orders to follow the enemy, but not to join battle nor even to with orders to follow the enemy, but not to join battle nor even to skirmish with them. skirmish with them. 22 Mummius, however, at the first promising  Mummius, however, at the first promising opportunity, gave battle and was defeated; many of his men were opportunity, gave battle and was defeated; many of his men were slain, and many of them threw away their arms and fled for their slain, and many of them threw away their arms and fled for their lives. Crassus gave Mummius himself a rough reception, and when lives. Crassus gave Mummius himself a rough reception, and when he armed his soldiers anew, made them give pledges that they he armed his soldiers anew, made them give pledges that they would keep their arms. Five hundred of them, moreover, who had would keep their arms. Five hundred of them, moreover, who had shown the greatest cowardice and been first to fly, he divided into shown the greatest cowardice and been first to fly, he divided into fifty decades, and put to death one from each decade, on whom fifty decades, and put to death one from each decade, on whom the lot fell, thus reviving, after the lapse of many years, an ancient the lot fell, thus reviving, after the lapse of many years, an ancient mode of punishing the soldiers. mode of punishing the soldiers. 33 For disgrace also attaches to  For disgrace also attaches to this manner of death, and many horrible and repulsive features this manner of death, and many horrible and repulsive features attend the punishment, which the whole army witnesses. attend the punishment, which the whole army witnesses. (Plutarch, Crassus 10)(Plutarch, Crassus 10)

The Auxiliary ForcesThe Auxiliary Forces

Supported regular legions throughout Supported regular legions throughout empireempire

Consisted of non-Italians and non-Consisted of non-Italians and non-RomanRoman

Volunteers (but often probably forced Volunteers (but often probably forced into service)into service)

Units of 500 (Units of 500 (alaealae) if cavalry) if cavalry480 (480 (cohorscohors) if infantry) if infantry

Auxiliary cavalryAuxiliary cavalry