Auxiliaries earning citizenship

[JeffF]

I know that individuals were sometimes granted citizenship for service with the Roman Army, Arminius for example, but when was the practice of granting it for 25 years completed with the Auxiliaries?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Jona Lendering]

I think it was recognized as official practice during the Claudian Army Reforms, when diploma's were introduced. It may have been older, though. Probably Duncan knows more.

[D B Campbell]

I think it was recognized as official practice during the Claudian Army Reforms, when diploma's were introduced.

I think you are right, Jona. The only evidence, as far as I recall, comes from the diplomas, of which the oldest is still dated to AD 52. Some refer to "twenty-five years service", others to "twenty-five or more years service"; some refer to discharged soldiers, and some refer to men who are still serving. Clearly, the 25 years was not an automatic trigger for discharge, although it seems to have been the trigger for citizenship. (The whole topic would repay further study, I think.)