09-03-2018, 10:55 PM
The Romans began paying their troops the Stipendium during the Siege of Veii around 400 BC as compensation for longer services and continued it throughout the Republic, long before Marius. The lowest rank was the Miles Gregarius, literally the common soldier, which included all soldiers of the Hastati, Principes, Triarii, Velites who were not centurions or principales ranks, or citizen cavalry, all of whom received higher pay.
Besides the stipendium the soldiers also received a small percentage of all plunder taken based on rank, and portions of slave auctions if the general was feeling generous, as well as "donatives" or bonuses that were commonly given out in the Late Republic during the Civil Wars to win loyalty by bribing the troops.
Besides the stipendium the soldiers also received a small percentage of all plunder taken based on rank, and portions of slave auctions if the general was feeling generous, as well as "donatives" or bonuses that were commonly given out in the Late Republic during the Civil Wars to win loyalty by bribing the troops.
