Field of Mars

Serving in the Roman Legions was originally part of the duties of a property-owning citizen. Slaves, freedmen and criminals were never given arms. The citizen Legions would be called up to serve for a campaign season. They were a militia who needed some training before battle. They were deployed as hoplites, fighting in Greek-style as a phalanx. Over time, the military system evolved with the introduction of the manipular system and then the later Marian Reforms. The end result was a professional force; by the 1st century BC citizens joined the Legions as a job for life. The need to keep the army and its commanders busy and away from Roman politics must have influenced Rome's permanent interest in conquest and expansionism!