What was the pay of a Roman soldier in Caesar’s Rome? Did they get retirement benefits? In Caesar’s Rome, Roman soldiers, known as legionaries, received relatively modest pay compared to modern standards, though it was respectable for the time. Their pay, stipendium, was set at about 225 denarii per year by Caesar (equivalent to around 900 sesterces) and later increased by Emperor Augustus to around 300 denarii annually. Soldiers received payment in three installments, covering basic needs, though they often had to buy their own food, equipment, and other essentials, meaning they could end up with very little saved.
In addition to their pay, soldiers could supplement their income through loot and bonuses. After successful campaigns, generals like Caesar might reward their soldiers with donativa, or one-time cash bonuses, especially if they had won significant battles or secured loot. This was a major incentive and could be substantial.
Upon completing around 16 to 25 years of service, soldiers were eligible for a type of retirement benefit. Retired legionaries might receive land grants as a reward for their service, giving them land to farm and settle. Augustus formalized this practice with the creation of the aerarium militare, a special military treasury funded by taxes, which paid out retirement bonuses in cash. This treasury provided retired soldiers with a one-time payment, roughly equivalent to 3,000 denarii, although the actual sum varied depending on the time and rank of the soldier.
These benefits were essential for soldiers’ loyalty and morale, as they knew their service could eventually secure a stable life after the army.
