Gaius Marius Flashcards
What was Sallust’s opinion on Marius? (1 point)
Sallust believed Marius was hard working, with integrity and would only settle for glory on the battlefield. Basically a mancrush
What was Plutarch’s opinion on Marius? (1 point)
Plutarch believed he was arrogant, obsessed and could not bare to leave the spotlight
How did Marius gain support of his followers?
- Criticised Metellus’ handling of the war. Claimed he could bring victory if elected.
- He encouraged a letter writing campaign to Rome.
- Would sit with soldiers and people below his rank.
- Pressured Metellus into giving him leave to run for election.
What year was Marius’s first consulship
107BCE
What were Marius’ reforms on the basis of military enlistment? What was the result of this? What was its impacts?
Description: As Marius had abolished previous property requirements, it mobilised the caput censei, allowing the urban poor to serve. soldiers signed on for a minimum of 16 years.
Result: As the senate refused to pay the soldiers salary, the commanders were expected to look after them during their campaign with spoils, and provide land at retirement.
Impact: Created armies loyal to commanders, not the senate. Power imbalance between senate and commander. These client armies would go on to ‘rip apart the state’
What were Marius’ reforms on the basis of military equipment? What was the result of this?
Description: Spear with one nail to ensure it couldn’t be thrown back. Soldiers would carry equipment. Used non romans as cavalry.
Result: Soldiers increased strength, allowed for rapid construction of defense camps, meaning they couldnt be attacked at night, significantly increased foot speed. Cavalry charges made Romans more victorious.
What, and when was the Social War?
The social war was a war between Rome and it’s Italian allies in a bid for the Italians to secure Roman franchise.. It was fought from 91 to 89.
Why did the Italians want to be Roman citizens?
Political participation - vote in Rome, be elected to office, serve in Juries.
Italian allies had fought in Rome’s wars of expansion and now expected the franchise.
Italians were also long been concerned about the impact of land reform.
Could support their claims to legal possession of their holdings.
How was Marius related to Saturninus and Glaucia? How did this relationship benefit Marius? What happened
Saturninus and Glaucia were a Tribunate, and Praetor under Marius while he was Consul in 100 BCE
Marius used this relationship to his advantage as he was able to gain successive consulships and commands, gain land for his veterans, introduce popular measures such as a new grain dole and could control the tribunate and assemblies by using thugs.
Despite this, this relationship went south when S and G got power hungry. After riots in the forum and murdering political opponents, Marius used the SCU against them. They were killed in the Senate.
What was the Lex Licinia Mucia?
95 BCE, an anti italian legislation which set up a court to try allies who claimed to be Roman citizens.
How did the Social War start?
After years of tension, Tribune Livius Drusus (91BCE) was murdered after proposing to grant full franchise to Italian allies.
Despite this tension playing a large factor, this murder is regarded by historians as the straw that broke the camels back.
What was the result of the Social War?
Despite the Italians losing the war, Lex Julia was passed in 90 BCE granting all italians that HAD NOT fought in Rome citizenship.
Lex Plautia Papiria of 89 BCE granted citizenship to every freedman in Italy who applied within 60 days.
