Land specifically has a few historical ways of being used:
Take the historical way the Romans gave land to various "tribes" on condition that they defend that area and contribute to central armies. Eg, the Goths
Earlier imperial Roman conquest armies recruited soldiers with the expectation that the soldiers would be able to settle in the conquered lands. I think that might even go back to Julius Ceaser (so, slightly pre-imperial)
The land provided to a medieval knight in exchange for service is a different way of exchanging land for military service