The development of army administration in the Roman Republic
The study of Roman military administration has largely been limited to the Prinicipate following the discovery of documents at Vindolanda and Dura-Europos. The origin of this administration is either attributed to Augustusâ military reforms or considered older but irrecoverable based on a perceived lack of evidence. This thesis aims to demonstrate that, far from irrecoverable, it is possible to reconstruct the development of a relatively complex and well-structured bureaucratic system supporting the army during the Middle Republic. This bureaucracy developed in parallel with the military as the scale and scope of Romeâs wars increased during the period, and is reflected in the evolution of an administrative complex on the south-eastern slope of the Capitol. It is argued that in Rome and within the legion detailed records were kept and, within reason, every effort was made to keep them as accurate as possible. The Capitol functioned as the administrative hub, where census declarations and the census list, stored in the atrium Libertatis, served as the central authority for military records. Other military documents kept in the aerarium Saturni provided support. Lists such as the tabulae iuniorum were created
Pearson, Elizabeth Hazel
Middle Republic ; army ; administration ; Polybius
The development of army administration in the Roman Republic. The study of Roman military administration has largely been limited to the Prinicipate following the discovery of documents at Vindolanda and Dura-Europos. The origin of this administration is either attributed to Augustusâ military reforms or considered older but irrecoverable based on a perceived lack of evidence. This thesis aims to demonstrate that, far from irrecoverable, it is possible to reconstruct the development of a relatively complex and well-structured bureaucratic system supporting the army during the Middle Republic. This bureaucracy developed in parallel with the military as the scale and scope of Romeâs wars increased during the period, and is reflected in the evolution of an administrative complex on the south-eastern slope of the Capitol. It is argued that in Rome and within the legion detailed records were kept and, within reason, every effort was made to keep them as accurate as possible. The Capitol functioned as the administrative hub, where census declarations and the census list, stored in the atrium Libertatis, served as the central authority for military records. Other military documents kept in the aerarium Saturni provided support. Lists such as the tabulae iuniorum were created
development army administration roman_republic study roman_military administration largely limited follow discovery document dura origin administration either attribute augustus military reform consider old base perceived lack_evidence aim far possible_reconstruct development relatively complex well structured bureaucratic system support army middle republic bureaucracy develop parallel military scale scope rome war increase period reflect evolution administrative complex south_eastern slope argue rome within legion detail record keep within reason every effort_make keep accurate possible function administrative hub census declaration census list store serve central authority military record military document keep provide support lists create