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A mercenary is a hired soldier. They played no role in Roman society or in the Roman army except in a very loose way. The Romans preferred to raise their own army rather than depend upon others. However ex-gladiators were sometimes hired by a legion to aid in training men in the use of stabbing techniques and they could be considered "mercenaries" in a way. The same held for other men with specialized skills who would only be needed temporarily Do not confuse mercenaries with auxiliaries. An axillary was an enlisted fighter who was a non-citizen.

He served 25 years in the Roman army and then was awarded citizenship.

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Who did the roman empire hire to fight the Germanic people?

The Roman Empire often hired Germanic tribesmen as mercenaries to fight against other Germanic groups or to bolster their own forces. These mercenaries were sometimes referred to as "foederati," and they played a crucial role in the Roman military, especially during times of crisis. The reliance on these fighters highlighted both the Empire's need for manpower and its complex relationships with the various Germanic tribes.


Did the Romans ever invade Scandinavia?

No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.


Were the soldiers Roman?

You had to be a Roman citizen to join the Roman legions. The non-Romans from theprovincesof the empire fought as allies in auxiliary troops which supported the legions and provided the bulk of the cavalry. When needed, the Romansalsohired mercenaries.


What was the lower class in Roman society?

The lower class in ancient Roman society were the Plebians.


Why did the Roman hire foreign mercenaries to serve in the army?

Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.

Related Questions

What role did Hannibal play in Roman society?

ask your mommy


What was the roman Emperor's role in society?

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What was St. George's role in society?

George was a soldier in the Roman army.


Why did the Roman army need to use mercenaries?

Basically for reinforcement and special skills. Although the Romans could levy plenty of troops from Italy, some of their allies had specialities that were useful such as slingers, bowmen and cavalry which could reinforce the Roman units. An example of this is their Batavian allies who were not only excellent horsemen, but they prided themselves on being able to swim across a river in full armor.


What was the heart of Roman society?

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What was the heart of Roman?

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How did mercenaries and Attila contribute to the decline and fall of the roman empire?

Oh, dude, mercenaries and Attila the Hun were like those unwanted guests at a party who just wouldn't leave. The mercenaries were hired muscle who caused chaos and instability, while Attila was the ultimate party crasher, sweeping in with his Hunnic horde and wreaking havoc. Together, they were like the ultimate tag team that helped speed up the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.


Who was in the war in Carthage?

The growing Roman empire and its North African proxies, and Carthage and its mercenaries.


Why was the hiring of germanic mercenaries by western roman emperors a mistake?

The hiring of Germanic mercenaries by Western Roman Emperors was a mistake because it undermined the loyalty and effectiveness of the Roman military, as these mercenaries often had divided loyalties and could not be fully trusted. Additionally, their presence contributed to the erosion of traditional Roman military discipline and cohesion. This reliance on foreign troops weakened the empire's ability to defend itself and ultimately facilitated the rise of internal strife and external invasions, hastening the decline of the Western Roman Empire.


Why did roman governments use Germanic warriors in its army?

Some Germanic peoples lived in the Roman Empire and fought alongside or the Roman army or fought on behalf of the Romans as Roman allies The Romans also hired Germanic mercenaries because of a shortage of Roman military manpower.


Did the Romans ever invade Scandinavia?

No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.


How did the role of women in Roman society change in the era of the Republic?

Womens gained the right to own property and slaves but just not to vote