Roman settlements

People congregated to form whole settlements dependent on the presence of the army, which often became independent. When not on active duty-which was more often than not, as in all armies-soldiers cultivated the land, engaged in trade, and generally lived their lives like ordinary citizens. This close contact between soldiers and other citizens and non-citizens was still further fostered by the direct involvement of soldiers in the day-to-day administration of the Empire. (Boardman, 1986)