Final answer:
Many small farmers who were soldiers in the Roman Army were forced into debt and poverty and lost their land to wealthy elites. While absent on campaigns, their farms declined or were taken over by others, and upon return, they often faced extortion and land seizures by rich landowners.
Step-by-step explanation:
What happened to many small farmers who had been soldiers in the Roman Army? The correct answer is c. Forced into debt and poverty; Loss of land to wealthy elites. Over time, poor farmers in the Roman Empire faced increasing difficulties in retaining their land. Several factors led to this disenfranchisement:
- Many soldiers were often away from home for extended periods due to military campaigns, leaving their farms neglected.
- Upon return, they would find their property in the hands of others or would sell their lands, joining the growing proletariat in cities.
- Rich landowners would force small farmers off their lands through extortion and seizing by use of force, causing peasants to lose their livelihoods.
- This led peasants into a cycle of debt and poverty, as they struggled against the economic advantages of large, slave-tilled plantations.
Roman soldiers who were promised incentives for service, such as land, increasingly faced broken dreams as the wealthy elite dominated land ownership. Moreover, the plebeian assembly no longer represented the interests of these small farmers, exacerbating their plight and pushing them further into disadvantage.