Bringing those who could oppose you onto your side, finding ways to ensure their loyalty, and turning their aggression onto your own enemies are excellent ways to deal with potential threats. Through the auxiliary system, Rome recruited potential enemies into its army, by force if necessary. Over the course of his career, the Empire would then use each auxiliary as a vital military tool, while also instilling a sense of identity that would hopefully ensure loyalty to Rome both during and after his service. The new system was not without its teething problems, however, and although the auxilia would go on to be a core part of the military, the early decades after its introduction saw three instances where the auxilia played a significant part in several large-scale rebellions (see also issues XII.5 and XV.2)
Allies to auxiliaries
From the Middle Republican period, Rome had regularly recruited units of non-citizen soldiers into its army, often specialists: cavalry, archers, and slingers. Troops were recruited from across the empire, but Gauls, Germans, and Numidians were particularly prized for their skills.
Augustus’ creation of the standardized the system of recruiting – or conscripting – non-citizens, making them a permanent part of the military. In exchange for their service, auxiliaries were offered regular pay, and the chance for themselves and their families to become citizens once they
