Volunteer Soldiers in the Roman Republic: The Case of Scipio Africanus’ Veterans

Journal article

Increasingly, scholars have recognised the significance of volunteers in the Roman army during the middle Republic (c. 264–146 BCE). Whilst studies have noted the phenomenon of individual volunteers, during the 190 s veterans volunteered for service in the armies sent to the eastern Mediterranean from a recognised, cohesive and famed military collective: Scipio Africanus’ veterans from Spain and Africa. It is suggested that Scipio’s veteran volunteers brought experience, skill and esprit de corps, aspects of professionalism only otherwise found in the legions of the late Republic and Principate. This provides another explanation for Rome’s extraordinary military successes in the eastern Mediterranean between 200–188.

Authors: Beattie, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: De Gruyter
• Journal: Journal of Ancient History
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 252-272
• Publication date: 2025-07-02
• DOI: 10.1515/jah-2025-0003
• EISSN: 2324-8114
• ISSN: 2324-8106
• Language: English
• Keywords: warfare; Roman imperialism; Scipio Africanus; legions; volunteers; veterans