The Private Army

Theme · army loyal to commander over state

The private army was one of the decisive developments of the late Republic: soldiers increasingly depended on their commander for pay, land, and survival.

Category: Theme

First Livarva appearance: The Dictatorship — Chapter VI: Rome Divided

Historical Significance

Once loyalty moved from the res publica to individual generals, civil war became easier to begin and harder to end.

In Chapter VI

The chapter presents Sulla’s eastern army as a state within the state and a model for later commanders.

Related Entries

Appears in the Library

The Dictatorship — Chapter VI: Rome Divided