Slaves deemed healthy and fit were asked if they were willing to serve in the Legions in exchange for freedom and citizenship after a time of service (one presumes very few said “No, I rather like being a slave” lmao), and then purchased for service in two legions of freed slaves (volones - ‘volunteers’). They performed well and were subsequently granted their freedom and citizenship en masse by Consul Gracchus (an ancestor of the more famous reformers of the Brothers Gracchi) after a victory against Carthaginian forces.
Numerous equites (the wealthy class of Roman citizens) and Senators’ sons were stripped of their citizenship and property, and some were even enslaved in addition, depending on the severity of their draft-dodging.
If worthy men can rise high in the world, it must also be that unworthy men be allowed to fall…
one presumes very few said “No, I rather like being a slave” lmao
Considering that Roman slaves actually did have some rights, I think many slaves with more reasonable masters would probably have preferred living as slaves over dieing as soldiers … then again, if the Carthaginians had won, life might have taken a turn for the worse even for the slaves.
Correct on both accounts!
Slaves deemed healthy and fit were asked if they were willing to serve in the Legions in exchange for freedom and citizenship after a time of service (one presumes very few said “No, I rather like being a slave” lmao), and then purchased for service in two legions of freed slaves (volones - ‘volunteers’). They performed well and were subsequently granted their freedom and citizenship en masse by Consul Gracchus (an ancestor of the more famous reformers of the Brothers Gracchi) after a victory against Carthaginian forces.
Numerous equites (the wealthy class of Roman citizens) and Senators’ sons were stripped of their citizenship and property, and some were even enslaved in addition, depending on the severity of their draft-dodging.
If worthy men can rise high in the world, it must also be that unworthy men be allowed to fall…
Considering that Roman slaves actually did have some rights, I think many slaves with more reasonable masters would probably have preferred living as slaves over dieing as soldiers … then again, if the Carthaginians had won, life might have taken a turn for the worse even for the slaves.