Veteran (Roman history)

Veteran
Veterans were given land in the provinces at the end of the honesta missio, often in conjunction with the creation of new military-style colonies.
Active	753 BC - 476
Country	Roman Kingdom Roman Republic Roman Empire
Branch	Roman army
Type	Experienced servicemen, former combatants
Role	Military instructors Being recalled when needed
Size	Variable according to the battle
Part of	Roman legions Auxiliary troops
Garrison/HQ	Roman provinces
Patron	Mars
Anniversaries	April 21
Engagements	Roman battles
Commanders
Notable commanders	Gaius Marius, Gaius Julius Caesar, Augustus

The term veteran in ancient Rome designated a soldier at the end of his service, in whatever corps he had served (praetorian or urban cohorts, legions, auxiliary army, navy).^[1] Length of service is a concept that evolves with the same history of organization of Rome's army and within it the figure of the miles. The veteran, initially, is a volunteer soldier; he arms himself at his own expense and remains in service for the duration of the military campaign for which he was recruited. Later with the organization of the army and the creation of a real social and legal subject, "the professional soldier," the duration of service would also be fixed according to the military corps to which he belonged.