Why was a Roman Legionnaire so important to the Roman Empire?
Ultimately, the Roman Legionnaire was what stood between the Empire and the City of Rome, and its many enemies. This was most true in the north in Europe, where there was a constant pressure from eastern Europe in the form of Germanic tribes, and later the Goths, and even the Huns. The Roman armies were almost always outnumbered by their foes. But Roman discipline, technology, and adaptability allowed them to meet and defeat their less organized enemies time after time. However, the Legionnaires took on a new importance to their generals in the Imperial age. A successful General with a loyal legion or two could hope to make a play for the title of Emperor. This happened more than once, and it didn’t take all that long for the legions to figure out that putting their general on the Imperial throne would mean rewards and bonuses. In some cases they more or less would force their general to lay claim to the title just to make sure that they, the Legionnairees, could get a payoff. Legionna
