Gaius Marius - Ruthless Reformer of the Armies of Ancient Rome

Historians from the time of the Roman Empire up toaccepted soldiers who had land and wealth, who were
modern times have held strong opinions on the life andable to purchase their own armour and supplies. It was
character of Gaius Marius. Best known for being thethought that men of means would make good soldiers
uncle of the famed Julius Caesar, he has also beenas they had something to lose in battle. These
regarded as barbaric, displaying unbridled ambition andrequirements meant that many men were ineligible to
by some accounts as having an evil influence on theserve giving fewer options to the poor masses that
Roman Empire. At the same time however, he alsofilled the streets of Rome and other cities in the
achieved high ranks in both politics and the military inEmpire.
ancient Rome, despite being an outsider and hailingThese were not peaceful times; the Roman Empire [
from a family with no political ties. He is also creditedhad been at war for the entire second century and
with revolutionizing Rome's army, with the changes heMarius saw the potential in the Roman mob. Going for
instituted being widely regarded as the greatestpure manpower he enlisted these men, in effect giving
contribution to the organisation of Roman legions.them full time employment, purpose in their lives and
Born to an equestrian family in the Italian countryside,the promise of land upon retirement. These changes
his family is known to have been locally influential, butproduced a different type of soldier; a soldier loyal to
had no ties to anyone in high ranks in Rome - neither inhis general and driven by his potential status and
the military or in the political arena. Despite this start inwealth should he be successful. Their military became
life, Marius was determined from the beginning totheir lives and their lifelong careers of choice.
break into the high ranks of the republic. From hisMarius also made changes in the way his soldiers
beginnings in the Roman army, he quickly moved upfought and moved, and to the weapons they used.
through the ranks; due most likely to having caught theThe throwing spears soldiers used were altered so
attention of those in power with his drive andthat the tip of the spear broke on impact making it
ruthlessness. Using his successes in the military heuseless to enemies once loosed. He also had the
sought power in politics which has been widelysoldiers carry all of their own provisions on their backs,
regarded as having been attained unlawfully.making the need for long baggage trains unnecessary.
Through a special election which was deemedMarius also began promoting officers who showed
underhanded by the Roman senate, Marius attainedpotential within the ranks rather than relying on political
commander-in-chief of Rome's African legions, andconnections as had been done in the past, making for
from this position he made the changes to the armymore experienced and superior officers, further
for which he is known. In the past, Rome had onlystrengthening the army.