Marius Outline (Handout)

1. Life

.born in Arpirnum in southern Latium
· born in ca. 157
· lived in Rome except when he was fighting much of the time other places(like Africa)
· died in 86 B.C.E

2. Importance
· one of the greatest Roman generals
· active in social war against allied Italian people
· led to the first of the civil wars between leaders that collapsed Roman Republic
· created several reforms in military practice and procedure

3. Accomplishments
· made his accomplishments in Rome by military abilities
· defeated Celtic tribes threatening North Italy
· repeatedly elected consul( 7 times)
· at one point he was very popular with the Roman people
· allied himself with extreme democrats and became the rival dictator of Sulla
· escaped from Sulla in Libya by hiding in Pontine marshes

3. Reforms
· many of the reforms were not immediate changes but gradual processes
· Marius' two major reforms were the structural changes made to the cohorts and the change in the land requirement previously necessary for army service
· Marius also created some tactical adaptations
· Also the expansion of some traditions
· All the reforms helped to make the army more efficient.