Roman soldier

The army of the early empire was basically tripartite. The kernel was that portion which was stationed in or near Rome and which consisted of the praetorian guard, and later the equities singulares, the urban cohorts, the vigils or fire-brigades and the fleets of Misenum and Ravenna.

The latter unit alone was stationed at any great distance from the center. All these forces were much more immediately under the emperor’s control than any of the units stationed on the provinces.

The soldier of the army are normally young, male, slim, healthy and at least 1.75 m tall. He needs to have good eyesight and hearing and the ability to speak Latin.

A late Roman imperial prescript gives the minimum age of recruitment as 18 years and given the conservatism of Roman military regulations, this date probably also applied under the Principate.

There are about 300,000 soldiers in the entire Roman army and the elite troops (120,000 men) are divided into 25 legions.  During AD 9, there were 28 legions of 5,600 – 6,000 men each in service.

The soldier is paid fairly well and regularly. Soldiers also get a share of booty and a generous pension when they retire. There is good chance of promotion in Roman army.

Legionaries sign on for 25 years of service.  Army life began training in Rome. They are taught how to march, how to build a camp and must drill twice a day.
Roman soldier