04-05-2001, 05:32 AM
Salve,<br>
<br>
There are many cases of soldiers serving more than the stipulated service period of 25-26 years, some were simply kept in the army beyond their time, while others reenlisted for further service (eg the praetorian <i> evocati</i>, though they had to serve only sixteen years before discharge). While in our modern armies the average age of soldiers tends to be low, especially in the infantry, due to the nature of military service (either conscripts or short term (4 to 8 years) volunteers) with older soldiers going for a full career generally found as NCO's and officers, the ancient world had many soldiers of a more advanced age, though the veteran Macedonian Silvershields (<i> argyraspides</i>) of seventy years are well at the extreme end.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander <p></p><i></i>
<br>
There are many cases of soldiers serving more than the stipulated service period of 25-26 years, some were simply kept in the army beyond their time, while others reenlisted for further service (eg the praetorian <i> evocati</i>, though they had to serve only sixteen years before discharge). While in our modern armies the average age of soldiers tends to be low, especially in the infantry, due to the nature of military service (either conscripts or short term (4 to 8 years) volunteers) with older soldiers going for a full career generally found as NCO's and officers, the ancient world had many soldiers of a more advanced age, though the veteran Macedonian Silvershields (<i> argyraspides</i>) of seventy years are well at the extreme end.<br>
<br>
Regards,<br>
<br>
Sander <p></p><i></i>
