Legal Definitions - sacramentum

In ancient Roman law, sacramentum referred to a solemn oath of allegiance, most notably the one taken by a soldier upon enlistment into the Roman military. This oath bound the individual to unwavering loyalty and obedience to their commanders and the Roman state.

• New Recruit's Pledge: A young man from a Roman farming family, having decided to join a legion, would participate in a formal ceremony where he would take the sacramentum. He would publicly swear his loyalty to the Roman Republic, promising to follow orders, fight bravely, and never desert his post, thereby formally becoming a Roman soldier.

  This example directly illustrates the core meaning of sacramentum as the oath of allegiance taken by a soldier upon their initial enlistment into the Roman military.

• Veteran's Reaffirmation: Even experienced legionaries, after a period of leave or during a significant campaign, might be called upon to reaffirm their sacramentum. This act would reinforce their commitment to their unit and the Emperor, especially before a major battle, reminding them of their sworn duty and loyalty.

  Here, the sacramentum is shown not just as an initial act but as an ongoing principle of allegiance within the military context, reinforcing a soldier's sworn duty and loyalty to the state and their commanders.

• Auxiliary Troops' Integration: When non-Roman auxiliary troops were formally integrated into the Roman army, their leaders or even the troops themselves might be required to take a form of sacramentum. This would signify their formal allegiance to Rome and its military structure, ensuring their loyalty alongside the Roman legions.

  This demonstrates the sacramentum being used to secure the allegiance of soldiers (even if not ethnically Roman) upon their formal integration into the Roman military, fulfilling the requirement of an oath of allegiance by soldiers upon joining or being incorporated into the Roman forces.