Arthur George

Emperor Claudius II (268-70) is often said to have instituted a ban on married men serving in the military, and I'm wondering whether this is really true and what sources could confirm (or disprove) this. I'm aware that Augustus had imposed such a prohibition, which was repealed by Septimius Severus, but I'm not aware of subsequent developments on this issue. According to legend, the bishop (later Saint) Valentine secretly married couples in violation of this ban, which according to some is why he was executed. But I'm wondering whether the marriage ban itself is legend or fact.