07-25-2009, 05:12 PM
Hi Paullus,
Population statistics are the reason that most Republican soldiers were probably young. Basically, from an early date Roman soldiers were away from home for long periods of time (too long to help on the farm or in the shop), so war had to fit into Roman men's lives in such a way that they could have children and support their families. We also know that wealthy Roman men tended to marry in their late twenties to women about ten years younger, and this seems to be true for the lower classes. So starting in their late twenties, most Romans would transition from soldiering to setting up a household and supporting themselves, and would be less sensible candidates for conscription than younger men for the next few years. Rosenstein has showed that there were more than enough young men to fight under ordinary circumstances. So in his view a typical hastatus or velites would be a teenager, a principes in his twenties, and most of the older men would be triarii. Spurius Ligustinus is reported to us precisely because he was exceptional, and notice that he volunteeered for most of his campaigns and was clearly known to the political class as a good man to have in your army.
Sean
Population statistics are the reason that most Republican soldiers were probably young. Basically, from an early date Roman soldiers were away from home for long periods of time (too long to help on the farm or in the shop), so war had to fit into Roman men's lives in such a way that they could have children and support their families. We also know that wealthy Roman men tended to marry in their late twenties to women about ten years younger, and this seems to be true for the lower classes. So starting in their late twenties, most Romans would transition from soldiering to setting up a household and supporting themselves, and would be less sensible candidates for conscription than younger men for the next few years. Rosenstein has showed that there were more than enough young men to fight under ordinary circumstances. So in his view a typical hastatus or velites would be a teenager, a principes in his twenties, and most of the older men would be triarii. Spurius Ligustinus is reported to us precisely because he was exceptional, and notice that he volunteeered for most of his campaigns and was clearly known to the political class as a good man to have in your army.
Sean
Nullis in verba
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
I have not checked this forum frequently since 2013, but I hope that these old posts have some value. I now have a blog on books, swords, and the curious things humans do with them.
