(This question applies to any time period really, I just care about Imperial Rome a lot)
Like didn't men get paid in loot/plunder from their military campaigns? Let's say I'm a woman living in the city of Rome, under the reign of Trajan, and my husband has been on a military campaign in the middle east for the past 5 years. How am I supposed to support myself?
Edit: title should've said Imperial lol
While you're waiting, check out this comment by /u/Celebreth on soldier pay in the Roman army:
I have just joined the Roman Army. What is my life going to be like from now on?