Why did the romans join the army?

Answer 1

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People joined the army as soon as it was opened up to all citizens because of the financial advantages. There was steady work for either 15 or 20 years (depending on the time) and a share of the loot, which after a successful campaign, was divided among the legion. This share of the loot and any bonuses the man would receive was put into a mandatory saving account for him. He could also look foreword, at least in the early days, of getting a land grant at the end of his service. Even though his basic pay was rather low, and he had to pay for his food and clothing and his share of any camp celebrations, and for his share of the food for the contubernium's mule, he still could retire from the army a fairly wealthy man. There were other factors as well, such as patriotism or perhaps a little trouble with the law that motivated a man to join up.
For most it was not a choice and they were drafted into it. The ones that enlisted by choice were normally people trying to make a name for themselves. Some came from a noble family and likely was in a officer position.

Answer 2

The Marian reforms of the army in 107 BC established a 16-year military career and made joining the army voluntary. Augustus lengthened the career to twenty years. The soldiers were paid and on discharge they received a grant of either a plot of land to farm (agraria missio) or a sizable lump sum of money (numnaria missio). Therefore, the poor joined the army because they got a career, a pay and a pension.

Answer 3

Dont be a fool.

Most people were forced into the roman legion without choice.

Mostly 18yr olds would be taken away from there families and put into and intense cource of training. If they refused to train, they would be punished.

No one would want to be in the roman army. There are so many chances of death and people weren't going to just die .

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Not so much. During the Roman Republic, the army was very similar to the Greek model which was essentially an organized militia that was raised for specific campaign seasons then disbanded afterwards. Only citizens who owned land could join the Legion and were expected to provide their own equipment. It was a requirement of citizenship and expected. For those with aspiring political careers, successful military service was important.

During the Empire, after Marian Reforms, the military became a professional standing force that did away with the citizenship and owning land requirement, as military equipment was now issued to the legionare. Foreigners often joined in order to gain Roman citizenship, poor men joined to acquire land and a pension. For citizens, again, the Legion was a place to win honor and prestige, which was important in politics.

Answer 4

They didn't have a choice. Join or lose everything.

Actually, under the Roman Republic (but less so than under the Imperium), service in the military was a significant chance for social advancement. Roman citizenship (with lots of attendant advantages) was attainable via military service. Chances for plunder and other economic gain also were possible through the army.

So, many volunteered, as they saw service in the Roman Army as a path to social and economic advancement, or, even just as the chance to escape from their local provincial existence.

In other words, most of the reasons people joined the Roman Army are the same as why they chose to join modern all-volunteer militaries (such as the U.S. or British Army)

Answer 5

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.

Answer 6

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Answer 7

Money mainly.
Initially the Romans in the era of the Kingdom had to join the army - it was more of a tribal thing.

As time went on there was an obligation to join up when needed, technically only citizens had to serve (indeed only citizens were allowed to serve) and their relative wealth determined where they fit in the set up of the Roman Legions.

As the Roman Republic grew they needed more soldiers and they needed them full time not just when they had the time (ie not during harvests!). This meant they had to start paying them (the citizens had other jobs!) The property requirements disappeared and the army became a profession for citizens. Once they started paying soldiers it became about the money. You got a good wage and square meals and on demob you could be given land in whatever part of the Empire you had ended up in.

Non-Citizens could join the Auxilia, providing support troops - archers, horse etc - they got paid too but the big factor here was that on demob you got citizenship - which brought all sorts of privileges with it - not least that you could join the Legions!

Answer 8

Roman men joined the army for a variety of reasons, almost the same reasons that men (and women) join the army in the present day. Depending on the times, the Roman men joined up because they were given land upon retirement, they enlisted for the travel and steady pay, they looked forward to the retirement bonus and accumulated savings from their years of service, and they liked the prestige that came with being in the military.

Answer 9

Romans joined the army for patriotism, for a steady income while they were serving and for the retirement benefits after their discharge.

Answer 10

Patriotism was one reason. Others were the steady pay, discharge benefits, and the prestige of being a soldier. Some more than likely joined to escape trouble with the law.