Demographic depression after the Second Punic War led to the crisis in the Roman army. The policy of constant aggression carried out by the Senate and wars on many fronts required keeping lots of soldiers, which, with a drop in the number of recruits, was very difficult. This situation forced the Senate to prolong the mandatory period of military service. Such a step, in turn, affected the morale of legionnaires who, according to the law, should return to their estates or family farms acquired in the war. Exhaustion with constant fights and war campaigns was clear.
