Ian Haynes
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- January 2014
- ISBN:
- 9780199655342
- eISBN:
- 9780191758300
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199655342.003.0021
- Subject:
- Classical Studies, Archaeology: Classical
The scholarly view that sees auxiliary veterans continuing to do their bit for Rome in retirement remains a popular one. Whether as respected man about town, exemplar of romanitas, or bulwark of ...
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The scholarly view that sees auxiliary veterans continuing to do their bit for Rome in retirement remains a popular one. Whether as respected man about town, exemplar of romanitas, or bulwark of imperial security, the veteran is often attributed a significance that in reality he frequently lacked. In some cases, the transition from a highly regularized military lifestyle to civil life could have catastrophic consequences for both ex-soldiers and the societies in which they settled. Furthermore, not all veterans necessarily held recognized status as veterani, there were many who had served in the ranks but who left without honourable discharge. This chapter examines the varieties of veteran experience over time and place and, in doing so, contributes to a re-evaluation of the role of former auxiliaries in the making of provincial society.Less
The scholarly view that sees auxiliary veterans continuing to do their bit for Rome in retirement remains a popular one. Whether as respected man about town, exemplar of romanitas, or bulwark of imperial security, the veteran is often attributed a significance that in reality he frequently lacked. In some cases, the transition from a highly regularized military lifestyle to civil life could have catastrophic consequences for both ex-soldiers and the societies in which they settled. Furthermore, not all veterans necessarily held recognized status as veterani, there were many who had served in the ranks but who left without honourable discharge. This chapter examines the varieties of veteran experience over time and place and, in doing so, contributes to a re-evaluation of the role of former auxiliaries in the making of provincial society.
