What happened to the homeless unemployed ex- soldiers of the republic of rome?

Answer 1

There were no homeless unemployed soldiers throughout the history of ancient Rome, whether during the monarchy, the republic, or rule by emperors.

In the early days, until 107 BC, the Roman army was a citizen militia of peasant-proprietors. They were drafted during the military campaigning season (March to October). At the end of a campaign they went back to their farms. The propertyless was exempt from the draft. This is because soldiers had to have the means to pay for their military equipment, which they had to provide themselves.

The Marian Reforms of the army of 107 BC made opened recruitment to the landless poor, made the state pay for the military equipment, made joining the army voluntary, and established a career of 16 years (later it was increased to 20). On discharge the soldiers received a certificate of discharge (honesta missio) a grant of sizeable lump sum of money (nummaria missio) or of a plot of land to farm (agraria missio). The landless poor flocked to the army because it gave them a career, a pay and a pension.