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A mercenary is a hired soldier. They played no role in Roman society or in the Roman army except in a very loose way. The Romans preferred to raise their own army rather than depend upon others. However ex-gladiators were sometimes hired by a legion to aid in training men in the use of stabbing techniques and they could be considered "mercenaries" in a way. The same held for other men with specialized skills who would only be needed temporarily Do not confuse mercenaries with auxiliaries. An axillary was an enlisted fighter who was a non-citizen.

He served 25 years in the Roman army and then was awarded citizenship.

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Q: What are mercenaries and their role in roman society?
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Did the Romans ever invade Scandinavia?

No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.No, the Romans never occupied Scandinavia, but they knew of the ancient Vikings and some of them even hired on as mercenaries in the Roman army. Roman artifacts have been found in Norse graves, indicating a contact.


What was the lower class in Roman society?

The lower class in ancient Roman society were the Plebians.


Were the soldiers Roman?

You had to be a Roman citizen to join the Roman legions. The non-Romans from theprovincesof the empire fought as allies in auxiliary troops which supported the legions and provided the bulk of the cavalry. When needed, the Romansalsohired mercenaries.


Why did the Roman hire foreign mercenaries to serve in the army?

Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.Because of the size of the empire, it became necessary to hire foreign "mercenaries" to serve in the army. Italy simply did not have enough manpower to protect the entire empire. However, it should be remembered that not all the foreign recruits were actual mercenaries. Some of them were drafted by their rulers as part of their country's payment to Rome. At any rate, foreign men were generally willing to serve in the Roman army as upon their retirement they received Roman citizenship which was highly prized.


What factors contributed to the Roman Empire's decline?

Over time Roman soliders became less trustworthy ( means being able to depend on a person)and have lots of punishments if they did something wrong. They gave their dedication to their commanders .To guard against increasing threats to the empire the gov began to volunteer mercenaries . ( mercenaries are foreign soldiers who foughts for money )

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