How did they recruit soldiers

[lyssword]

Did they promise money or women? Or were they pretty much just forced into joining under threat of death? I mean walking for 1000 miles and dying in a desert sounds like a shitty way to die (lets say you were one of Alexander's soldiers).

 

[Sea Moose]

they used "press gangs" to force people onto the man o war ships.

 

[Albatross]

free ipods

 

[judasmachine]

Depending on how they happened upon you, they most likely used all those methods you suggested. Slaves were probably just forced in, same as vagrants, and very poor people. Sons of merchants were most likely wooed with promise of riches, and glory, and such. But in places like Rome, it was such an honor to be a soldier that many lined up to join, and eventually march to Judea, or Gaul, or some other god forsaken place and die. I remember reading that many wealthy sons were 'traded' into the Roman armies as favors from one family to another.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Much the same way it happens now in some countries: You are coming with us because you are in the army now.

 

[mrkun]

Originally posted by: judasmachine
Depending on how they happened upon you, they most likely used all those methods you suggested. Slaves were probably just forced in, same as vagrants, and very poor people. Sons of merchants were most likely wooed with promise of riches, and glory, and such. But in places like Rome, it was such an honor to be a soldier that many lined up to join, and eventually march to Judea, or Gaul, or some other god forsaken place and die. I remember reading that many wealthy sons were 'traded' into the Roman armies as favors from one family to another.

It depends on whether you're talking about the Roman army before or after the Marian reforms.

After the reforms, poor people joined to earn a steady income essentially.

 

[Dman877]

The promise of personal gain was used a lot. Imagine how many Americans would have signed up to invade Iraq if we were told we could keep what we conquered

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: Dman877
The promise of personal gain was used a lot. Imagine how many Americans would have signed up to invade Iraq if we were told we could keep what we conquered

I don't know about ancient times, but when they wanted people to go to the New World, that was a pretty good reason. Cortez had the promise of vast amounts of gold, then everyone got $50 a piece. I'm sure the chance to sack and pillage was pretty persuading.

 

[lupi]

cash and opportunity for citizenship as well as a way out of slavery (voluntary or otherwise)did a good bit of recruitment.

 

[StinkyPinky]

It was my understanding that the roman army (post marian reforms circa 70 b.c) was the first professional army? As in, everyone got paid. Plus non-citizens became citizens after 20 years service.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky
It was my understanding that the roman army (post marian reforms circa 70 b.c) was the first professional army? As in, everyone got paid. Plus non-citizens became citizens after 20 years service.

The original wage slaves.

 

[techs]

In Roman times the local Foxus Newsus outlet stirred up the population by warning of the Democratus hordes who wanted to take away their lions.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Religion

EDIT>> This method is so effective it is still used to this day.

 

[her209]

Land

 

[rudder]

They would come grab your ass out of your mom's basement and you would all of a sudden be in the army.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

It was a good job at a time when there were not an abundance of jobs. It wasn't like Starbucks and McDonalds were hiring.

 

[dennilfloss]

They grew them in fields like cabbage heads.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
Religion

EDIT>> This method is so effective it is still used to this day.

You're a dumbass.

It's always about the money.

 

[Q]

Hopefully not with AA3

 

[brandonbull]

Originally posted by: techs
In Roman times the local Foxus Newsus outlet stirred up the population by warning of the Democratus hordes who wanted to take away their lions.

And I'm sure the Democratus hordes told the populous that borrowing money and the emperor taking control of businesses was a good thing.

 

[foghorn67]

conscription

 

[alkemyst]

there was no human rights back then...King/Emperor/et al sez, it goes.

 

[Phokus]

People were more ignorant back then, there probably weren't many rules to war either (i'm sure raping and pillaging looked like an attractive incentive back then)