the imperial biographer and historian suetonius saw the "aerarium militare" as a response to the uncertainty of retired military men in need who might be inclined to support a coup or foment unrest. the professionalizing of the army during the republic created the new problem of veterans, since earlier in rome's history male citizens served short-term to confront specific threats or carry out seasonal campaigns, and then returned to their normal occupations. the solution in the late republic had been to settle veterans in colonies in conquered territory, or on ostensibly public land in italy that in fact had been used by the aristocracy for personal gain; the redistribution of this land by military commanders such as marius and pompeius was resented by the elite as a popularist currying of favor among the lower ranks of society. a state-supported benefit helped redirect the former soldier's loyalty from his immediate commanding officer to the roman state as a whole. under augustus, monetary grants replaced land redistributions, and were better received by the upper classes, who nevertheless complained about new taxes.