Description
After a Roman legionary had finished up to 25 years in the army, he could be asked back to join the evocati, the ranks of 'those who are called'. Usually affiliated to their old commander or re-enlisting at the bequest of a particular Consul in times of need, veterans were afforded great respect and honour because of their previous service. As examples to the common soldier, they were often immediately promoted to centurion and given a pay rise. Crucially, veterans were exempt from the mundane and laborious tasks of legionary life such as digging latrines, building roads or making camp. During the civil war all sides called on old soldiers to swell their ranks and provide much needed experience, Pompey persuading a large number of evocati to join him against Julius Caesar by promising them promotion and more money to return. The veteran 'Praetorians of the Evocati Augusti' were held in especially high regard.
