Emperor Augustus has set up a treasury to make sure legionaries get their pay.
New taxes will fund the scheme and it is hoped this will increase the professionalism of the army.
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Emperor Augustus' new treasury, established this year (6 AD) is designed to guarantee the pay, bonuses and pensions of those serving in the Roman army.
Each legionary is paid three times a year. Money for food, clothing and weapons is taken from his pay. Legionaries also get bonuses from time to time. If he is promoted to a higher rank a legionary gets a bigger salary. A centurion is paid 16 times more than on ordinary legionary. There is also a pension fund for legionaries who have been disabled during their time in the army.
Bonuses and goods captured in battle come the legionaries' way from time to time as well. They might also get gold jewellery or gold, silver, or bronze discs called phalerae to wear on their armour on special occasions and parades.
The first centurion to get over the walls of a city that the army is attacking receives a gold crown. Senior officers also receive valuable rewards, like a silver spear.
Generals who win battles get lots of captured prisoners and goods. If they are very successful they can even parade in triumph through Rome with their troops.
When they finish their 20 years' service, legionaries retire. The treasurer of their unit returns to them money deducted from their pay that has been saved for them. Roman citizens are given a lump sum of money or some land. They are then allowed to get married, but they have to live near the army camp they last served at in case of emergencies. They are also presented with a bronze diploma to commemorate their service. Auxiliaries are able to become Romans citizens after they have been in the army for 25 years.
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