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The Roman Army, 31 BC–AD 337: A Sourcebook

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204 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Roman</strong> <strong>Army</strong><br />

honourably discharged and received their benefits in accordance with a time<br />

scale based on the duration of their completed military service (Modestinus—<br />

27. 1. 8. 2–5). <strong>The</strong> rules about discharge from the army were clearly of great<br />

importance to soldiers since there are several imperial rescripts about the details<br />

(Campbell 1984:<strong>31</strong>1–14).<br />

332 CJ 5. 65. 1, AD 213<br />

Emperor Antoninus Augustus to Saturninus. Men who are released<br />

from their military oath on medical grounds after twenty years’ service,<br />

both keep an unblemished reputation and are entitled to the official<br />

privileges granted to veteran soldiers.<br />

Published on 7 August in the consulship of Antoninus Augustus for<br />

the fourth time and Balbinus.<br />

333 CJ 12. 35(36). 6<br />

<strong>The</strong> same Emperor (Gordian) to Brutus, soldier. Once soldiers have<br />

been discharged for medical reasons, it is not usual to grant<br />

reinstatement on the grounds that they have recovered good health,<br />

since soldiers are not lightly discharged and only after doctors have<br />

declared that they have contracted an infirmity and this has been<br />

rigorously investigated by a suitable judge.<br />

334 CJ 12. 35(36). 3<br />

<strong>The</strong> same Emperor (Antoninus) to Julianus. Since soldiers who have<br />

been dishonourably discharged are designated with a mark of ill-repute,<br />

they may not have access to any of the privileges normally granted to<br />

men of unblemished record. <strong>The</strong>y do however have the right of staying<br />

wherever they wish, with the exception of those places from which<br />

they are specifically excluded.<br />

335 CJ 12. 35(36). 7<br />

<strong>The</strong> same Emperor (Gordian) to Domnus, veteran soldier. Your fears<br />

are groundless that a blemish on your record because of an offence<br />

against military law should be held to have damaged your good name<br />

now that you are a veteran. This is especially true since it has been<br />

decided that soldiers who were censured for an offence that could also<br />

be committed by a civilian, should not be branded with infamy after<br />

their discharge.

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