Contemporary Americans think of their national army as being composed of American citizens while recognizing that those Americans come, of course, from diverse ethnic, religious, racial and national backgrounds. The Roman imperial army was even more diverse, and many of its members were not even Roman citizens. Just as, in modern America, young men and women may join the military to "see the world," so might a young soldier in the Roman army be likely to see many parts of the western world in the course of his career. Such a person was Bithus, a Thracian by birth, stationed mostly in Syria along with other Roman soldiers from Spain, Africa, and the Middle East. As a reward for his long and faithful service, Bithus received Roman citizenship upon his retirement. Then as now, the military could provide some with opportunities for social mobility and travel that were hard to obtain otherwise.
- For descriptions of and modern replicas of ancient Roman military uniforms and equipment such as Bithus might have used, explore
http://members.tripod.com/Gemina/page3.html
- A website discussing Roman military tactics and organization can be viewed at
http://library.thinkquest.org/21665/reports/legform.html?tqskip1=1=0422
- The Roman army had far-flung influence. Go to the following website for a detailed discussion of the development and organization of the Roman army that invaded Britain:
http://www.morgue.demon.co.uk/Pages/Other_stuff/ARMY.HTM
