{"id":3644,"date":"2023-03-26T16:05:57","date_gmt":"2023-03-26T15:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/?p=3644"},"modified":"2023-03-26T16:05:57","modified_gmt":"2023-03-26T15:05:57","slug":"how-did-roman-soldiers-prove-their-citizenship-in-ancient-rome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.learnancientrome.com\/how-did-roman-soldiers-prove-their-citizenship-in-ancient-rome\/","title":{"rendered":"How did roman soldiers prove their citizenship in ancient rome?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Roman army was a largely mercenary force until the late Republic, when Gaius Marius reformed it into a standing professional force. During this time, the soldiers had to provide proof of citizenship in order to join. The price of citizenship was becoming increasingly expensive, so many lower-class citizens were unable to join the army. Marius’ reforms lifted this financial burden by making citizenship free for all those who joined the army. This eventually led to the army becoming a tool of the government, used to maintain order and support the ruling class.<\/p>\n

In order to prove their citizenship in ancient Rome, soldiers had to present their military discharge certificate, or diploma, to a magistrate. The diploma was proof that the soldier had served his time in the military and was now a free citizen.<\/p>\n

How did ancient Romans prove their citizenship? <\/h2>\n

Roman citizenship was a highly coveted status in the Roman Empire. Roman citizens enjoyed a number of privileges and benefits not available to non-citizens. Roman citizenship could be acquired by birth if both parents were Roman citizens, although one parent might be a peregrinus (“alien”) with connubium (the right to contract a Roman marriage). Citizenship could also be granted by the people, later by generals and emperors.<\/p>\n

The auxilia were a key force in the Romanization of the empire, as many of their sons enlisted as legionaries. This meant that they were exposed to Roman culture and values, and eventually adopted them as their own. As they completed their terms of service, they were granted full Roman citizenship, further solidifying their place in Roman society.<\/p>\n

How can you tell if someone was a Roman citizen <\/h3>\n