Growing up this advertisement was always in a comic book near the backpage. Personally, I think its a great ad (notice the prices if you want to guess the year). This image has been burned into my brain, for I spent hours staring at the images wondering how I could convince my parents to buy it. Never was able to do it. Now, I’m told the soldiers contained in the box were just cheap plastic. Yet, in a child’s imagination, that may have been enough. I remember playing with soldiers that were nothing but cardboard cut-outs. I had a howitzer that was flat as a pancake, but at that age it still looked ‘neat.’
Two dollars and twenty five cents FOR TWO COMPLETE ROMAN ARMIES.
Anyone want to hazard a guess what that would have translated into denarii for a real army?
You can’t beat $2.25.
Rob Cain has traveled extensively through Europe, Italy, and Egypt. He was formerly on active duty with the United States Army. He is a fan of history, and enjoys reading books on the history of Rome. He currently has a podcast presentation on itunes and hipcast. The blog is for the free and open discussion of Ancient Rome based on Mr. Cain's observations noted in his podcast. Most episodes start out with an original dramatic narration written by Mr. Cain. In the podcasts he will include his own unique commentary, and interviews with subject matter experts. Comments are welcome and will be highlighted on the show. 
Episode 10, “Nothing New Under the Sun. Get Over it”, features the book, “The Ancient Guide to Modern Life” written by author, comedian, and TV commentator Natalie Haynes.” Whether political, cultural, or social, there are endless parallels between the ancient and modern worlds. Whether it's the murder of Caesar or the political assassination of Thatcher; the narrative arc of the hit HBO series, The Wire, or that of Oedipus; the popular enthusiasm for the Emperor Titus or President Obama – over and over again we can be seen to be living very much like people did 2,000 or more years ago. It's time for us to re-examine the past. Our lives are infinitely richer if we take the time to look at what the Greeks and Romans have given us in politics and law, religion and philosophy and education, and to learn how people really lived in Athens, Rome, Sparta and Alexandria. 
This is a book with a serious point to make but the author isn't just a classicist but a comedian and broadcaster who has made television and radio documentaries about humor, education and Dorothy Parker. This is a book for us all, not for an elite.
At 225 Sliver Denarii a year for an average legion of 4000 plus 300 cavalryman at 262.5 denaii (not counting Auxilia or AlA). That around 900,000 Denarii for the legion and 78,750 Denarii for cavalry for a total of 978,750 per year times 2 is 1,957,500 Denarii or there about.