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C. MARIUS
MILITARY
REFORMER
• Marius began his rise to power
in 108 when he commanded
troops in Africa against Jugurtha.
• As a general he is famous for
winning that war and eventually
winning other battles against
invaders from the north.
• As a politician he is much better
remembered today for his
changes to the military.
• Rome (like other ancient cities) had
always had a citizen army, a volunteer
militia organized for keeping the city
safe.
• But one also had to own land to be a
part of this citizen army; the common
worker was only called up in times of
desperate need.
• Marius made a regular practice of
using the proletarii in his army.
• Marius not only allowed the
common people to enlist in the
army, but he changed the army
from a temporary service into
an occupation, a job for people
to professionalize in.
• This then becomes Rome’s first
professional standing army.
• Marius also changed the army’s
organization.
• Each man would carry his own
entrenchment tools.
• The army would no longer be divided
by class; all enlisted served together
in the cohorts of which there were ten
in every legion.
• The army was largely equalized.
• In 107, while fighting the war in Africa, Marius
was elected consul.
• He was elected again in 105, again still in
Africa.
• He then held the consul from 104 all the way to
100. No other consul was ever elected five
times in a row.
• This was also prohibited by the Lex Villia which
was later repealed.
• During the last year of this streak, a man
named Saturnius put forth reforms resembling
those of the Gracchi.
• These reforms were opposed by
the senate, and riots broke out.
• Marius, a supporter of these
reforms, was ordered to put
down the revolt, which he did.
• After this event Marius went
into retirement in the east.
• Marius returned from the east in 87 when civil
war broke out under the consulship of Sulla
campaigning in Asia.
• Marius’ army marched on Rome.
• This was the first and far from the last time a
Roman army marched against Rome.
• This showed clearly what was already
beginning to become apparent. These regular
soldiers who served under the same
commanders throughout their careers were not
loyal to the state. They were loyal to their
generals.
• Marius taught Roman politicians by example
that the military could be a power base.
• Marius was elected to an
th
unparalleled 7 consulship
for 86, but died a month
later.