Two of the most destructive problems facing the late Roman Republic were the instability and disunity caused by incessant civil wars. Rome's rapidexpansion, after the Punic Wars, resulted in socioeconomic changes thatpermanently divided the state. Both aristocratic and plebeian parties soughttotal control of Rome and tried to destroy each other. Civil war was thecontinuation of party politics by other means. Consequently, the power of themilitary became supreme. Control of Rome's armies steadily shifted away fromthe legitimate government to the generals because the soldiers began to give theirallegiance to their generals rather than to the civil authorities. On dismissalfrom military service, the legionnaires had no farms to return to, and theydepended entirely on whatever land and money their generals could provide sincethe government was unwilling or unable to supply veterans with livelihoods.Thus, the generals became autonomous centers of power. The general whodominated the strongest army ruled the state. Repeated power struggles ofthese military strongmen ignited more civil wars that further undermined thestability and unity of the late Roman Republic. Augustus saw how divisive to the Roman polity civil war was. He understoodthat control of the legions by the civil government was necessary for theestablishment of peace and order throughout the Roman Empire. He wanted toreorganize and institute changes in the military to assure that it would not riseagain in support of some triumphant general to challenge the legitimacy of thestate. Since warfare within the Empire was eliminated, the role of thelegions changed. Its main objectives consisted in protecting the borders fromforeign foes and pacifying conquered lands through the gradual introduction ofthe Roman language, law, administration, and engineering. Augustus' priority wasto reduce the number of the legions from 60 to 28, settling in the process morethan 100,0...
