Capite Censi/Proletarii and the Problem of Recruiting Indigent Citizens into the Roman Army
Abstract
The purpose of the research paper is to examine the origins of such categories of the population in Ancient Rome as capite censi and their possible relation to the proletarii, as well as the enlistment of representatives of this class into the army.
Scientific novelty lies in the fact that, for the first time, one of the lowest strata of Roman society – capite censi/proletarii – is analyzed based on source materials and modern historiography. Cases of recruiting indigent citizens into the ranks of the Roman army are highlighted, which, however, did not contradict recruitment norms. Special emphasis is placed on the episode of the enlistment capite censi by Gaius Marius in 107 BCE. Additionally, the reasons for the decline in the property qualification during the 3rd – 2nd centuries BCE are outlined.
Conclusions. Both terms – capite censi and proletarii, referring to the poorest stratum of the population in Ancient Rome – are relatively rare in the works of ancient authors. However, through an analysis of sources and historiography dealing with this topic, as well as personal reasoning, a number of findings have been outlined. It has been determined that the proletarii were not as disadvantaged a class as might be assumed; their contribution to the development of the Roman civitas lay in raising numerous offspring (proles), a fact emphasized by Aulus Gellius. Many poor citizens avoided military service, primarily due to concerns about the state of their small farms and large families in the event of prolonged absence caused by extended military campaigns or wars.
The number of incensi could have been considerable due to the lack of a developed police supervision system, and punishment for refusing military service was not particularly severe – at least during the Middle and Late Republic. The capite censi were the most impoverished category of the population. However, in an attempt to improve their financial situation – when participation in war promised certain rewards – and due to the personal ambitions of Gaius Marius, this category was recruited into the legions. Most likely, they already had some combat experience, meaning they might have participated in military actions earlier. Nevertheless, this was an isolated case, as sources do not report similar precedents in the 1st century BCE.
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