Italy should have more cities to represent Roman manpower

[antisocialmunky]

Well, during the Second Punic War, they raised two massive armies in Italy itself, invaded Illyria, and then Spain while the Emprie was Italy proper and Sicily. I can't speak about the Social War, but the Crisis of the 4th century saw Hispania, Gaul, and Palmyra declare independence and barbarians invade. It was a miracle that they were able to hold it together for another 200 years. Really, the 4th century marked the turning point in Rome's power against the Gauls.

Anyway, at all 3 periods the existence of the Empire was in great jeopardy so the massive mobilization of the upper and middle class was not surprising(you have to remember, 30% of all citizens doesn't account for all foreigners or slaves - slaves that made up the majority of the Roman population). You also have to remember that citizenship was gotten through military service or you were born into it. So in reality all that happened was veterans were called back to active service and new legions were raised.