Soldiers in the army were paid professionals who signed a contract. They had to work very hard, often they had to march 20 miles a day. In the field there would be 8 men in a tent with a pack mule. In a fort they shared 2 rooms, 1 for sleeping and another for storing equipment. Much of a soldier’s time was spent on patrols or on sentry duty. Some soldiers were moved around the empire, as they were needed, from Britain to Africa. During army service they contributed money to a savings scheme so when they retired they could expect a gift of land or a pension. Usually the land was near the last place where they had been garrisoned. Soldiers were not supposed to marry while in service. pay for his food, clothes, and weapons. Two Roman words are Ballista, which is an artillery machine, which fired short bolts with iron tips. Also another Roman word is Testudo, which was the formation Roman soldiers made with their shields held over their heads. A Roman soldier was armed with metal armor on the upper part of the body. A special helmet that stopped blows from the swords, and a large curved shield protected them from attack. When a Roman soldier joined he was assigned to a legion of about 5,600 men. Legions were divided into smaller units called cohorts. They trained, lived, and fought in centuriae (groups of a hundred men) commanded by a centurion.

Soldiers were posted to every corner of the Empire to put down rebellions and guard the frontiers. During times of peace, they lived in stone or timber forts where they combined to train and drill and prepare for war. If you were a Roman citizen, you could join the army as a legionary. Non citizens joined up as auxiliaries. In battle you would march behind legion’s standard, a silver aquila (eagle). Roman soldiers were paid regularly and fairly well and often managed to save part of their earnings. Before 212 AD, some men joined the auxiliaries as a way of improving their position in society. For a few soldiers, there was a chance of promotion, and a responsible career. They were also given a share of booty captured in war and a generous grant when they retired. Most soldiers were made citizens of Rome when they retired. Some men joined the army simply to escape from dull, routine lives. They wanted excitement and a chance to see the world.