What was scuttage?

Answer 1

Scuttage was a practice in ancient Rome where soldiers could pay a fee to avoid military service. This payment allowed individuals to escape the obligations of conscription, often used by those who were wealthy enough to afford it. The term is derived from the Latin word "scutagium," which referred to the shield tax levied on citizens to fund military campaigns. The practice highlighted social inequalities, as it allowed the affluent to evade service while poorer citizens were compelled to fight.