U4 AOS2 - Gaius Marius (157 - 86 BCE)

Question 1

When did Marius live?

Answer 1

157 - 86 BCE

Question 2

In which war and under whose command did Marius begin his military career?

Answer 2

Marius started by serving in Numantia in 133 BCE under Scipio Africanus’ command

Question 3

When did Marius become a Novus Homo?

Answer 3

Marius joined the tribune of plebs in 119 BCE.

Question 4

When did Marius first become consol?

Answer 4

After travelling under consol Quintus Metallus as his patron in 109 BCE, Marius won consolship in 107 BCE based on his popularity with the people.

“He wasn’t even a candidate but was elected because of the enthusiasm of the people” (Plutarch)

Question 5

Who actually captured the King of Jugurtha in the Jugurthine war (112 - 105 BCE)?

Answer 5

Sulla (138 - 78 BCE)

Question 6

What was different about Marius’ army in the Jugurthine war?

Answer 6

Marius recruited an army “not, in accordance with traditional custom, from the property classes, but accepting any man who volunteered - members of the prolateriat for the most part.” (Sallust)

Question 7

Why were Marius’ reforms to military recruitment significant?

Answer 7

As people could now join the army with much ease (not having to own property) it was now much easier to vote.

Marius won the following 5 consolships, 104 - 100 BCE

Question 8

How did Marius’ reforms effect the future of the republic according to Mary Beard?

Answer 8

“By enrolling all comers Marius … created an independent, quasi professional army which destablised domestic politics for 80 years or so.” (Mary Beard)

Question 9

What caused Marius’ first exile from Rome?

Answer 9

In 100 BCE, Marius pushed through a bill giving land to veterans, using said veterans to physically turn hostile voters away.

In 99 BCE Marius left Rome with his reputation tarnished (returning 2 years later).

Question 10

What caused Marius’ return to prominence in Rome?

Answer 10

The Social war (91 - 88 BCE)

Question 11

What did Marius do to cause Sulla to march on Rome?

Answer 11

Marius was unhappy that his political enemy Sulla had received the Mithridatic campaign. So with the help on the Plebeian tribunes, and the use of violence, Marius was able to get Sulla’s commission for the war against Mithridates IV reassigned to himself.

This meant that Marius stood to gain all the potential glory and wealth that Sulla was expecting.