The Roman Legion, 24AD

The Roman Legion 14 AD-235 AD The Roman Republic was established in 509 B.C. and lasted until 27 B.C. when the Roman Empire replaced it. During the Roman Republic the Roman army was intentionally composed of landowners. The Roman philosophy behind this strategic maneuver revolved around the belief that landowners would defend their property and country more conscientiously than those who had no vested interest. The policy of using landowners in the army continued until Rome …

…a period of turbulence for the Roman Empire. One emperor after another would fight his way to the throne and the military would be shaken from the constant change in power and policy. Although there was still little external warfare of any significance, there were threats by armies invading the Empire. The Roman Empire was beginning a slow spiral of decline, a decline which would end with its demise over 200 years later in 476 A.D.