Changing tendencies in the penal policy of the Republican Roman Army

Abstract

In the age of the Roman Republic, the army penal policy was never the same. Many differences can be observed if we compare the periods of the history of the republic. Since their formation, the penal procedure and the investigation in case of the soldiers did not practically change and showed a similar aspect. The alteration primarily manifested in the levels of punishments because of the Hellenistic impacts and the transformation of the society. In the last century of the republic, a kind of remission can be observed by certain punishments. Furthermore, some types of behaviour which had previously been punished were tolerated more (for example homosexual activity).