CLA233H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter Week 10: Vindolanda, Recto And Verso, Gaius Marius
Document Summary
Expansion continued through the republican period, imperial period, the army was occupied with defending the borders. Army brought material prosperity and cultural advancements. For centuries the army was composed of citizen property owners and men were called into service only for a specific campaign and their allies: people conquered by the romans were required to provide troops auxiliaries. Rome was frequently at war so men were called year after year, many died leaving their families to lose their land and livelihoods. Decrease in property owners meant fewer men were eligible for military service and the number of unemployed rose as slave labour became more common. Gracchan reforms was not successful in solving these problems. Polybius was from greece and was taken to rome as a hostage where he became friends with a military officer and came to admire the romans.
