Legionary Pay

  • Legionary Pay was the amount of money each Roman Legionary received annually. The Marian Reforms of 107-101 BCE created a standing army with fixed pay.
  • Prior to this, the Roman Republic required its citizens to act as soldiers during times of war, but there was no pay after the battle, except during unusually prolonged wars.

Annual Pay

  • From 107 BCE:
    • Annual Pay was commenced by Marius under the Marian Reforms between 107-101 BCE.
    • The Legionaries received 225 Denarii per annum (or 900 Sestertii). The Auxiliaries received 75 Denarii per annum (one third).
    • It was paid every four months, in three Stipendia (instalments) of 75 Denarii.
    • Payment was made in January, May and September with deductions for Pensions, equipment, clothing, food and animal fodder.
  • From 81-96 CE:
    • Increased to 300 Denarii per annum under Domitian (81-96 CE).
    • The Stipendia was now paid every three months.
  • From 193-211 CE:

Deductions

  • Food deduction.
    • The Frumentum or Grain Allowance.
  • Clothing deduction.

War Booty

  • Booty from the bodies of the fallen enemy.
  • Plunder from the surrounding countryside.
  • Captured Enemy soldiers and their families were sold as Slaves.
  • Captured cities were plundered.

The Military ‘Bank’

  • Each Legionary made savings which were kept at a military ‘bank’.

The Frumentum

  • The Frumentum or Grain allowance, was deducted from Legionary Pay.
  • Starting from the reign of Nero (54-68 CE), the Grain allowance was made free to the Praetorian Guard and was called the ‘Frumentum menstruum gratuitum’.

 

Posted in .