In 217, near the beginning of the Second Punic War, Rome was forced to effectively ignore its long-standing principle that its soldiers must be both citizens and property owners. Severe social stresses, population decline, and the greater collapse of the middle classes meant that the Roman state was forced to arm its soldiers at the expense of the state, which it had not had to do before. The distinction between the heavy infantry types began to blur, perhaps because the state was now assuming the responsibility of providing standard-issue equipment. In addition, the shortage of available manpower led to a greater burden upon Rome's allies for the provision of allied troops. Eventually, the Romans were forced to begin hiring mercenaries to fight alongside the legions.
In 217, NeAr tHe beGInning oF tHE SECond pUnIc war, rome wAS foRced To EffEctIvEly ignoRE iTs loNG-standing PrINciPle ThAt itS soLdiers muST be bOTh citIzenS and pRoperty oWNers. sEverE sOcIal stresseS, popuLaTIOn DEclinE, aNd thE greatEr collApSe of THE MidDLe classes meaNT thaT the roman staTe wAs fORced to aRM its SolDiers at the expeNSe Of The State, whiCh it haD not HaD to do before. THe DiStiNCtiOn betwEEn ThE HeaVY INFaNtry TyPes begaN to blUr, perhaps becauSE thE sTaTe was now asSUminG tHe REsponsibilIty of Providing stAndArd-iSsue eQuIpmEnT. in ADdition, tHe shOrTage Of AvailablE mAnpower Led to a grEater BurdeN upon Rome's allieS For tHe ProviSioN of aLlied trOops. EVentually, thE rOmAnS werE forCed to bEgIn HIRiNg mErCenAries to fight alOnGsIDE the legions.