What happened to Roman deserters?

Desertion was considered a serious offense and severely punished (“in military life desertion may result in the loss of a whole city,” L.V. Postma, Roman Military Law, 85 S. The Roman Emperor was the head of the Roman Army. In such capacity, he exercised absolute power (imperium).

How long did a Roman soldier have to stay in the Army for?

A legionary had to be over 17 years old and a Roman citizen. Every new recruit had to be fighting fit – anyone who was weak or too short was rejected. Legionaries signed up for at least 25 years’ service.

Were Roman soldiers allowed in Rome?

First of all Roman soldiers were not banned from entering Rome. Carring weapons was forbidden within the ancient sacred boundaries of Romulus, but the city had expanded so much that the walls were as much as half a mile away by the 1st century BCE.

Did Roman soldiers retire?

Some soldiers were able to retire as wealthy men and build a comfortable life for themselves. By law, Roman soldiers were forbidden to marry while in active service. Naturally, that rule proved very difficult to enforce and was often ignored.

What happened to the 10th Roman soldier?

Decimation (Latin: decimatio; decem = “ten”) was a form of Roman military discipline in which every tenth man in a group was executed by members of his cohort. The word decimation is derived from Latin meaning “removal of a tenth”.

What was the punishment for a Roman soldier who tried to run away from the army?

Fustuarium or bastinado — Following a court-martial sentence for desertion or dereliction of duty, the soldier would be stoned, or beaten to death by cudgels, in front of the assembled troops, by his fellow soldiers, whose lives had been put in danger.

Why werent Roman armies allowed in Rome?

Roman law specified that only the elected magistrates (consuls and praetors) could hold imperium within Italy. Any promagistrate who entered Italy at the head of his troops forfeited his imperium and was therefore no longer legally allowed to command troops.