All you have to do, Gazius, is look at the present day and adapt the present conditions to those that existed back then.

If you do so correctly, you will have realized that life as a soldier for Rome was not much different as it is now; to some even better, rather than worse - where today are you allowed to keep wives in your outpost?

Most soldiers were on garrisoned outposts near the frontiers. They were the dominant class to a host of subject peoples (provincials). They were regularly maintained and cared for, within appropriateness and ability, and constantly forced to training and exercise. These things were the reason for Rome's greatness. Not to say it wasn't hard - when is it ever easy to be a soldier?! But, if you compare it with any other army aside from the present age, which other common soldier ever had the hope of living a life so privileged and unique?