Definition:
A donative was an "irregular monetary payment to soldiers," according to the Oxford Classical Dictionary. It is thought that the giving of donatives to soldiers started during the period of the Roman Republic with generals distributing booty among their men. During the imperial period, a donative was given the legionaries and praetorians, among others, at the emperor's accession.
Source:
- John Brian Campbell "donativum" The Oxford Classical Dictionary . Simon Hornblower and Anthony Spawforth. © Oxford University Press 1949, 1970, 1996, 2005.
Also Known As: Donativum
Examples:
Galba was one of the 4 emperors in the year A.D. 69. A major factor in his short term as emperor was that a donative had been promised the soldiers on his behalf, according to Tacitus, History Book I.5. Even though Galba was not the one who made the promise, his failure to pay the donative led to the end of Galba's reign.
