Mercenaries in ancient Rome emerged as an integral part of the Roman army throughout the Republic and the Empire. In times of war the Roman military changed from being a largely conscripted force to one composed of a large number of mercenary units.
The use of mercenaries goes back to the second century BC, when Rome was able to better field a large number of soldiers. Often hired by the Roman generals, mercenaries would increase the size of the Roman army, enabling them to fight larger and more organised opponents, such as the Hannibalic Army.
The presence of mercenaries in the Roman army had a significant impact on the strategic and tactical behaviour of their masters. In most cases mercenaries were employed to gain the upper hand in a battle, as their reckless and brutal style of combat provided a greater chance of success. This is evidenced by the fact that mercenary units were almost always positioned at the head of a Roman army during a battle, thus being the first to engage in combat.
Furthermore, mercenaries were used by the Roman generals for the purpose of deceiving their enemies. Through using the style of combat utilized by mercenaries, the Romans were able to exploit the lack of structure of the enemy’s combat formations and gain the advantage. This gave the Roman generals the tactical edge they needed in order to victory, as they often sent their mercenaries in first to exploit any weaknesses in the enemy’s battle formation, allowing the regular Roman infantry to mop up the enemy more effectively.
Additionally, by utilizing a number of independent mercenary units, the Romans were able to increase the speed of their army. Mercenary units, who were used to their own freedom and self-discipline, were generally faster and more motivated than the regular Roman soldiers. As such, the Romans could move their army more quickly and efficiently when employing mercenaries.
Although tough, mercenaries could also benefit in terms of morale. Rome’s mercenary units could provide a morale boost for the regular Roman soldiers. It was not unknown for Roman generals to award great amounts of riches and promotions to successful mercenaries, giving them a direct incentive to fight even harder. This in turn gave the Roman soldiers an added incentive to fight harder and push forward.
Finally, their presence could also serve as an intimidating factor for the enemy. Mercenary units were held in great esteem by the Romans, which meant the enemy often underestimated their strength and worth. This served to the advantage of the Romans, as their enemies were sometimes bred into fear by the presence of the mercenaries, allowing the Roman army to gain a psychological advantage over their opponents.
Employment conditions
The conditions under which the Roman army hired mercenaries varied greatly. Some were hired simply to provide additional combat power, while others were hired to fill in the gaps which the regular Roman army could not achieve, such as siege warfare and scouting. The size of the mercenary units could also vary greatly, ranging from a single soldier up to a unit of several thousand.
The payment of these mercenaries also varied greatly. Some were paid on a daily basis, while others were promised a share of the spoils of battle. In some instances, the Romans even promised to pay for the training and equipping of mercenaries, as long as they were willing to fight for them.
Additionally, the terms of service for the mercenaries were usually agreed upon prior to enlistment. These terms could range from a simple length of service, to a much more detailed contract setting out their roles, requirements and rules of engagement. This ensured that both parties were on the same page and could therefore avoid potentially dangerous misunderstandings.
It is important to note that although the Romans often employed a number of mercenaries, they did not trust them completely. The Romans were well aware of the risks of relying too heavily on mercenaries and thus ensured that they maintained a strong level of control over their mercenary forces at all times.
Recruitment habits
Mercenaries in ancient Rome were typically recruited from many different areas. There were always large numbers of mercenaries in the Roman army, as the Roman authorities actively promoted the idea of individuals joining the military for money. Due to this, it is not difficult to assume that several foreign mercenaries, such as Gauls, Germans and Numidians, were hired by the Romans.
It is also believed that the Romans employed mercenaries from many different parts of the Mediterranean, such as Egypt, Greece and southern Italy. This was in part due to the fact that the empire had an extensive network of trade and communication, which allowed them to easily recruit from these areas. Furthermore, due to the large number of foreign slaves which were captured by the Romans, it is believed that many of these slaves were also employed in the Roman military as mercenaries.
Additionally, it has been suggested that the Romans also hired mercenaries from the Balkans and Asia Minor. This was in large part due to the fact that these regions were more politically and culturally different from the Roman Empire, thus allowing the Romans to employ larger numbers of foreign mercenaries to supplement their own army.
It is also important to note that even though the Roman Army had an abundance of mercenary units, the Romans were wary of relying too heavily on these forces. To ensure that the mercenaries remained loyal, the Romans employed a number of measures to monitor their behaviour, such as offering bonuses for victories, rewards for exemplary behaviour and wages to encourage loyalty.
Dismissal policies
In spite of the great number of mercenaries in the Roman army, the Romans were very strict in their dismissal policies. These policies were enforced in order to ensure that the mercenaries remained loyal and did not become a threat to the state. The main way in which the Romans did this was by forcibly ending the enlistment of any mercenary who failed to abide by the agreement of their term of service.
Additionally, the Romans also enforced severe punishments for any mercenaries who betrayed their terms. This could range from the loss of their wages and possessions, to public humiliation and physical punishment. This was done in order to dissuade any potential deserters from attempting to join the ranks of the enemy.
Furthermore, the Romans were also known to deny the return of any mercenary who attempted to return to their service after deserting. This was done in order to ensure that the Romans could maintain a strict level of control over their mercenary forces. Doing so also ensured that any mercenaries who attempted to desert were not presented with too great of a temptation to do so.
Overall, the Romans were strict in their dismissal policies in order to ensure that their mercenary forces remained loyal and did not become a threat to the state. This allowed the Romans to maintain a strong level of control over their mercenary forces, thus ensuring that they remained an effective fighting force.
Impact of mercenaries
Overall, the impact of mercenaries on the Roman army was considerable. By utilizing a number of independent mercenary units, the Romans were able to increase the speed of their army and gain a tactical edge in battle. Additionally, their presence could also serve as an intimidating factor for the enemy, allowing the Roman army to gain a psychological advantage over their opponents.
Furthermore, their presence could also benefit the morale of the regular Roman soldiers. It was not unknown for Roman generals to award great amounts of riches and promotions to successful mercenaries, giving them a direct incentive to fight even harder. This in turn gave the Roman soldiers an added incentive to fight harder and push forward.
While their presence was often beneficial, the Romans were wary of relying too heavily on their mercenary forces. This was due to the fact that these forces did not always act in the interests of the state and could therefore pose a threat to the unity and strength of the Roman army. Therefore, the Romans monitored their mercenary forces in order to ensure their loyalty and prevent any potential deserters.
Overall, mercenaries in ancient Rome were an integral part of the Roman army throughout the Republic and the Empire. While their presence was often beneficial, the Romans took stringent measures in order to ensure that their mercenary forces remained loyal and did not become a threat to the state.
