The Late Republican Reforms

Who gets it: The House of Claudii, The House of Aemilii, The House of Cornelii and The Roman Senate; once it fires it applies to all of them at once

The continuous wars of our Republic have shown the limits of our levy system and stretched it to its breaking point. The traditional property requirements for military service have left us with a severe manpower crisis, unable to call upon sufficient man to enlist in the various armies needed to protect Rome's borders.

In response, extensive military reforms have been enacted on the recruitment, equipment, deployment and training of the Roman legions. Despite the opposition of some, the property qualifications have been abolished, allowing the landless masses, the capite censi, to enlist. The state now provides their arms and armour, standardising their equipment. The lines of Hastati, Principes, and Triarii have been replaced by a unified formation: the Cohort.

Rome can now put in the field professional, full-time standing armies. However, a dangerous precedent has been set. Recruited from the impoverished masses, these men rely on their commanders for their pay, plunder, and eventual land to settle after service. Their loyalty is shifting away from the Senate, and toward these ambitious generals who lead them.

Who will be able to stop them if their commander decides to cross the Rubicon and march against Rome?