PTSD

[P. Clodius Secundus]

The effects of combat stress in World War I were generally recognized as either "shell-shock", which was attributed to the physical and psychological effects of concussive trauma, and "nostalgia" which more closely resembles what we know as PTSD. Although the terms change with the particular conflict both syndromes and their varitations seem to have been present in all human conflict. I see no reason why the Roman Army would have been immune. As someone has already noted, there are any number of factors which determine how severely a soldier will be impacted. The most significant is probably the level of violence and trauma one is likely to encounter outside of military service. In this respect the gladiatorial games may have served a purpose of "hardening" troops or at least coarsening the society to which they would eventually return. I would suspect that if there were evidence it would be more likely found during the Republic when terms of service were limited to a campaign and citizen-soldiers would have to reassimilate on a continual and seasonal basis. Once service becomes a profession and the contuburnium takes the place of traditional family and society it would be easier for a soldier to deal with the problems when surrounded by those who can truly sympathize rather than trying to empathize.