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The purpose of my dissertation is to offer an alternative view on the impact of the army on the Italian economy with particular focus on the second century, the period between the end of the Second Punic War and the age of the Gracchi, a period of crucial importance for the Roman Republic. This dissertation is divided into eight chapters focused on three main topics: a) The introduction and development of military payment during the Republic, and what role it played on the Roman economy both in terms of cost for the state, and income for its citizens involved in military service; b) How the recruitment system of the army was organized, and progressively evolved from the origins of Rome to the end of the second century and the age of Marius. This will facilitate the analysis of the scale of military service and its burden on Roman citizens; c) The relationship between the army and the economy during the second century, and the strategies employed by the Roman citizens and their families in order to find a balance between military service and their economic cycles. Contrary to traditional research, it is my intention to demonstrate that the army not only was an essential part of Rome's economic system, but it is also possible to suggest a positive impact at both a macro and micro economic level; indeed, the legions were not simply a cost for Rome's finances, but represented one of the main sources of income and allowed a massive circulation of money. Furthermore, by involving citizens directly and indirectly, the military service was the most important source of alternative income and occupation. All the dates reported in this thesis are intended as B.C. unless otherwise indicated.