ABSTRACT
Claudius' dealings with the forces outside Italy are marked by sensitivity to the men's rights as citizens, actual or potential, and by public recognition of their service. There was a longstanding ban on marriage for serving legionaries, which he could hardly rescind and which remained in force until the reign of Septimius Severns. Instead, in 45, probably in response to an attempt to challenge a bequest, he granted privileges that the Lex Papia Poppaea of 9 denied voluntary bachelors and the childless. Legionaries obtained the right to give and receive bequests on the same basis as married men with children.'
