THE PROBLEM OF VOLUNTARINESS IN RECRUTING THE ROMAN ARMY (V–II centuries B.C.)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is comprehensive analysis of the cases of voluntariness (uoluntariorum) in Roman troops starting from the period of the Early Republic to involvement of voluntarii by Marius in 107 B.C. In ancient sources, the principle of voluntariness is mentioned only in cases when it was necessary to describe some extraordinary events that required resorting to such unorthodox type of recruitment. It was used the most frequently only in the threatening periods for the Romans or during wars outside the territory of the Republic, in particular, in the II century B.C. And, since dilectus, in most cases, was regarded as a compulsory phenomenon, the voluntarii enlisted more willingly. It occurred due to various causes: existence of political motivation, confidence in the commander in Chief, possibility of enrichment through the spoils of war, and simply passion for military service. The Second Punic war that catalyzed the emergence of the professional army changed its nature due to the need for the regular army. Legions carrying on war far beyond the borders of Italy and recruited by traditional means started filling with volunteers that were ready to serve longer term than provided for by the law. In this way, the troops became more flexible and mobile, more adapted to the challenges of the time and the situation that existed with the foreign policy related to expansion of Rome in the II century B.C. However, it did not violate the established standards of recruitment, and even in the first century B.C. formation of legions still relied on the traditionnal compulsory dilectus.