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It is unlikely
For nearly 350 years of Roman history the soldiers were not paid because the Roman army was a citizen militia. Pay for the soldiers was introduced in 405 B.C., when Rome was at war with Veii, the nearby Etruscan city-sate. The ancient Greek historian Polybius wrote that during the Second Punic War in the 3rd century B.C., the soldiers received two Greek obols a day, which was probably the equivalent of five Roman asses, which were worth was about half a denarius. This would have meant a pay of 180 denarii (plural of denarius) a year. A devaluation of the as in 122 B.C. lead to a decrease in the value of the pay to 112 ½ denarii a year. Polybius also mentioned that money for food and clothing was deducted from the pay. Julius Caesar doubled the pay which was said to have risen to 225 denarii a year. The emperor Domitian (reigned 81-96 A.D.) increased it to 300 denarii a year.
The Roman writer Pliny the Elder wrote: "Even in the very honours, too, that are bestowed upon successful warfare, salt plays its part, and from it, our word "salarium" is derived". Because of this some people have argued that salarium (which is the root of the English word salary and which is derived from sal, the Latin for salt) was the name of the pay of the soldiers and argued that in the early days of Rome the soldiers were paid in salt. However, the Roman historian Livy, writing about the introduction of pay for the soldiers in 405 B.C., said "ut stipendium miles de publico acciperet" (so the soldiers received a stipendium for the public [purse]). Therefore, the name of the pay of the soldiers was stipendium, not salarium. The word salarium, instead, referred to all the provisions which the Roman officers (not the ordinary officers) were supplied, as well as their pay in money. It was part of a package of supplies and pay which Augustus introduced for the governors of the Romans provinces (who commanded the legions stationed in the provinces) and military officers to put them in a greater state of dependence on him. Moreover, this happened in the late 1st century B.C./early 1st century B.C, not in the early days of Roman history. As for Pliny the Elder's words, they seems to suggest that salt was given as a reward for victorious war, rather than as pay. Salt was a very important commodity because it was used as a food preservative.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoRomans soldiers were paid with money. However, at times of war they were sometimes be paid in salt. This was because at such times the price of salt could shoot up. Salt was a very important commodity in antiquity because it was used as a preservative for food. The soldiers sent the salt to their families.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoYes. In fact the word 'salary' comes from the Latin for salt.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoFor a brief time, very early in Rome's history, some troops were paid in salt as it was a food preservative among other things. It was not long before the men were paid in cash.
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Highest paid military in the world?
Netherlands certanly has one of the best paid armys (compared to other European armys and i think also the American army (acording to a friend of mine who is a officer in the US Navy).
Why was salt so important to the roman soldiers?
Salt was a very important commodity in antiquity as it was the only preservative available. The salt works neat Ostia, by the sea, were a great trading asset for Rome. Before the introduction of coins, Roman soldiers were paid in salt.
What were laborers paid with?
They were paid with salt.
Where does the word salary came from?
At one time the [SALE] salt was not very much availableas today is. Roman soldiers were paid in salt being necessary for good health. Of course the roman latin word has changed to by the English as salary.
Did different roman soldier armys have different coulers to reusent them?
You need to rewrite your question because your spelling mistakes make it very hard to understand.
How were roman workers paid?
they were paid in salt
Why where Romans paid in salt?
Who how Roman salt abundance where. GET YOUR WORDING RIGHT!
What were the Roman Army paid with?
They were paid in coins, salt was often included. This is where the word salary comes from
How did the word salary become invented?
roman soldiers were traditionally paid in salt.
What is the derivation of the world salary?
Roman soldiers were paid in salt. Salt = sale in Latin. therfore, salaria = salary
What does the word 'salary' mean in Latin?
The root of salary is salt. Roman soldiers were sometimes paid their wages in salt.
Highest paid military in the world?
Netherlands certanly has one of the best paid armys (compared to other European armys and i think also the American army (acording to a friend of mine who is a officer in the US Navy).
Why was salt so important to the roman soldiers?
Salt was a very important commodity in antiquity as it was the only preservative available. The salt works neat Ostia, by the sea, were a great trading asset for Rome. Before the introduction of coins, Roman soldiers were paid in salt.
What does -worth her salt- means?
Roman soldiers used to be paid in salt. This is the origin of our present-day "salary". Someone who is "worth their salt" is someone who is worthwhile, useful or hard-working.
What is the us armys salary?
The whole of the US military is paid according to rank and corresponding pay grade.
What is the connection between salt and your modern wordsalary?
In ancient times, salt was much rarer and more valuable. In Roman times, legionnaires were often paid in salt and the Latin word for salt - sal - forms the basis for the word salary.
Why did the Romans mint coins?
For a time, salt was the currency of the Roman Empire. The army was paid in blocks of salt. Our word salary comes from that time in history. Eventually, coins were minted because it was easier for a Roman to carry a pouch of coins rather than 100 pounds of salt, when going shopping.
