How were the spoils of war distributed in the Roman legions?

Thanks for such interesting question,

Now it’s impossible to say for sure when the traditions of taking trophies began. Still, it became an independent branch of military affairs and even religious worship.

In ancient Rome, trophies became an essential part of not only the military but also the general culture. Trophies were placed on the battlefield (various monuments as a victory symbol) and brought to Rome of the victorious generals and their troops.

Trophies were transported to Rome to represent them during the triumphal procession. At the triumphal procession, it was customary to show everything that the valiant Roman generals were able to capture as a result of the victory. If it was impossible, for example, if the main result of the win in the war was the occupied lands of the enemies - it was necessary to depict this part of the booty symbolically. It was best to conduct during the procession of the captured leader or king of the conquered people. Such as in the case when Gaius Marius protracted war with the Numidian king Yugurt.

In the early republic, war trophies were divided equally between Rome and its Latin allies. After triumph and triumphal procession, the victorious general left his trophies in the temple of Jupiter Feretrius. It was considered as a sacrifice to the gods and demonstrated the warrior's confidence in their help. The first who brought the gift to Jupiter, according to legend, was Romulus.

Slaves were also considered trophies in the imperial era. So, a legate had first dibs on the best slaves, which most often sold after. The younger soldiers had a worse choice of slaves; basically, they had to choose from what was left, and they earned less.

Also, there were ways to reward those who excelled in battle. In addition to the public expression of recognition, early promotion, cash awards, and a more significant share in the distribution of trophies were also practiced.

Inanimate trophies were used for the state's needs. They were used to raise money, as was Vespasian's spoils of Jerusalem, which were used to build the Coliseum.

Romans had one more, the most honorable version of the trophy, which gave the right to special honors for the triumph - the spolia opima ("rich spoils"). If the Roman general killed the enemy leader in a duel, then the armor removed from the defeated was considered the best gift to the gods. They were attached to a pole, carried in a triumphal procession, and then placed in the temple of Jupiter Feretrius.

This trophy was extremely rare in the history of ancient Rome, recording only three such triumphs. The first belongs to the legendary founder and first king of Rome, Romulus himself, who was defeated by Cenin Acron. The second in 439 BC received the military stands of Aulus Cornelius Koss. The third - belongs to the consul Mark Claudius Marcellus.

Later, trophies became part of the architecture, by decorating the triumphal arches, steles, temples, and monuments erected in honor of victories. An essential part of the military culture of Rome was the preservation of their military regalia. The symbols of the legions - eagles, signs, and other distinctions of the Roman army - became sacred and acquired sacred meaning. Their loss shamed the military and its commander.

Thanks for reading!