As we discussed in the previous chapter, the first and foremost institution that had an impact on

the every-day business of the Roman civilization in Britannia was the army, the spear-point and, also,
the shield that expanded and defended the Roman Empire since the beginning of the Roman state.
Having military, but also financial and architectural attributes, the legions were used to defend Britannia
for almost 400 years against the northern Celtic tribes and served as a catalyst between the Roman and
barbarian factors regarding many social matters. Considering the enormous responsibilities weighing on
its shoulders, the army needed a strict organization, which will be described briefly here.
The Roman army was organized into legions made up of 4800 infantrymen and 120 cavalrymen,
adding many officers, doctors, clerks, builders, and even musicians. Every legion was lead by a Legatus
Legionis, helped by six military tribunes, all leading the legion in the Emperor’s name. Along the legion
were the units of auxiliaries, recruited from various barbarian tribes, used to double the efficiency of the
legion. Though being paid less, after 25 years, any auxiliary could obtain a much-needed prize from the
state, namely the Roman citizenship, thus recognizing the merit of the auxiliary unit.
The army life was very suitable for many of the poor inhabitants of the province. For 25 years,
since the age of 16, the soldier would be paid, dressed and fed by the army and, in the end, recompensed
with a pension and land after the discharge. Moreover, the army was a good way to build up a career,
considering the fact that many of the Britons were accustomed with the agricultural work, not with the
Classical teachings. Even more, the army was a good way to learn Latin, the lingua franca on the army,
which was imperative to obtain any high position in the army or administration.
Of course, the army life wasn’t so easy. Every soldier’s day was occupied by combat training,
marching, building fortifications and other activities. Even more, the punishments were for hard to
extreme, ranging from large fines to crucifixion and decimation, even the disbandment of a unit.
Though it seems like hell on earth, the soldier was not disconnected from the civil life. The army
forts were placed close to civic settlements, and the contacts between the soldiers and civilians were
inevitable, from economic to social, even sexual contacts. Of course, the relationship between them was
not always a happy one, in some instances the soldiers resorting to violence and pillaging when the
payment was lacking. This is why, from time to time, the soldiers received donations, just to keep their
loyalty untouched.
Having this image of the army in mind, we can now understand its role in defending Britannia
from the northern Celtic tribes, keeping constant contacts with the enemies to realize its main objective:
to maintain the Pax Romana. For this also they applied other tactics, the most important one being the
building of fortifications. From these, the most famous one is the Hadrian’s Wall, where the bulk of
legions were stationed.
In conclusion, Britannia, with its 55.000-60.000 defenders, became one of the most militarized
provinces of the Empire, thus increasing the role of the military and speeding up the process of
Romanization in this province.