Short answers, pulled from the story.
Gaius Marius changed how Rome fought forever in 107 BC. He opened the ranks to citizens who owned no property and transformed soldiers into a standing army loyal to their commander rather than the state itself.
A Roman legionary carried chain mail or segmented armor plates known as lorica segmentata, a large rectangular shield called a scutum, and a helmet named galea. His gear also included two javelins, one heavy pilum designed to bend upon impact and disable enemy shields, and one lighter verutum for skirmishing.
Enlistment began with a fresh recruit known as a tiro who trained for up to six months before becoming a milite. This training period involved learning swimming skills, setting up camps, marching long distances under full load, and enduring strict discipline twice daily throughout the year.
Hadrian's Wall stood as a monumental example built by three legions stationed across northern Britain. The text does not specify an exact construction date but notes that governors relied on legionaries to construct roads, canals, bridges, fortresses, and walls that connected the vast empire.
Soldiers received 225 denarii per year during Pax Romana, rising to 300 under Emperor Domitian. Plunder and loot supplemented income while donatives secured loyalty or rewarded successful campaigns.