During the late Republic, the Roman army primarily consisted of indigenous Italians, with the expansion of auxiliaries occurring later in the empire.

The Romans would often take the sons of conquered tribal leaders, raise them as Romans, and incorporate them into their society, turning enemies into allies. As early as the second century AD, Roman emperors and senators began to come from provinces like Spain and North Africa, rather than just Italy.

Half-citizens and loyal allies of Rome felt entitled to full citizenship after their sacrifices, but traditional Roman conservatism denied them this recognition.

The Roman military was a massive force of half a million people, integrating foreigners and turning them into Romans over time.

In early Roman society, only property owners could serve in the legions, reflecting the belief that those who fought for Rome should have a vested interest in its defense.

Rome's success can be attributed to its ability to integrate conquered peoples and ideas, often granting them a degree of Roman citizenship.

In ancient Rome, a politician aspiring to be consul was expected to lead a legion into battle, achieve victory, and return to Rome to celebrate a triumph, showcasing the spoils of war.

Roman citizenship came with privileges and obligations, emphasizing the importance of citizenship in Roman society, although it was limited to a small percentage of the population.

The Romans focused on flexibility in their military organization, allowing them to adapt and overcome traditional heavy infantry tactics used by their enemies.