The army as an important factor of social mobility in Roman Empire

The Roman state is one of the greatest European civilizations that existed for a long time (754/753 BC - 476 AD). There are many factors and reasons for the decline of the Roman Empire. However, even more difficult is to establish the reasons for such a long existence of the ancient Roman state, Roman culture and civilization. Among such factors can be called a high Roman culture and the importance of providing members of the local and provincial elite with Roman citizenship. The army, which by force of arms created and preserved the Roman Empire, is also an important factor. However, the Roman army should also be regarded as an important factor in vertical social mobility. The Roman Empire never tried to create a caste system (as in ancient India), in which social growth would not be possible. Demographic considerations created the need for social mobility and the promotion of members of the lower social strata into the social and political elite of the Roman Empire. This was especially possible for officers serving in the best Roman armies - such as in the provinces of the Lower Danube (Dacia, Moesia and Pannonia).