Why were the Triarii differently equipped?

[Walhaz]

I actually agree. While I understand the idea of the soldiers of small communities arming themselves at their own expense, I think that at a certain size of city or community the idea of everyone showing up with their own weapons and armor becomes untenable. My understanding is that even in some of the Greek city-states they gave up the notion of hoplites providing their own gear and just armed everyone from the city arsenals. Really, if everyone is paying a war-tax then it amounts to the same thing.