Veterans

[Theodosius the Great]

Greetings Arminius,

Does anyone know if veterans kept their military belt?

I remember reading that veterans were recalled to duty from time to time at least during the late Republic, such as under Pompey the Great when he recalled his father's old veterans to duty in his province of Picenum and Umbria during the civil war between Sulla and Marius. It would seem unlikely to me that veterans would have to repurchase all their gear from scratch, especially personal items like the cingulum / balteus. If veterans did not keep their old gear then the next likely possibility is that they bequeathed it to their sons (assuming they were also soldiers), IMO. We know this practiced existed for helmets from certain surviving specimens that they were passed on to other soldiers.

By the way, do you have any particular period in mind ?

R. Izard
veteran, exempt from property tax and from being beaten with rods... at least in this state

:lol: :lol:

~Theo