Gaius Marius. Summary on Gaius Marius: the Jugurthine War, the reform of the army and the clash with the Cimbri and the Teutons.
CAIUS MARIUS AND THE JUGURTINE WAR: SUMMARY. The period of the 1st century BC was characterized by the war against Jugurtha and the war against the Cimbri and the Teutons. Jugurtha, who had inherited the kingdom of Numidia by force, after killing his cousin Hiempsal and sending the other Adherbal into flight, also killed the Roman traders who were in Numidia. Having declared war on Jugurtha, the Roman senators were corrupted by the sovereign’s gold, which caused a scandal and the knights and the common people elected Gaius Marius, a new man, as consul in 107 BC.
CAIUS MARIUS AND THE REFORM OF THE ARMY. Gaius Marius was a new man because his family was not noble, and he was the first of the family to undertake a political career. Marius found himself facing two military problems: the long war in Numidia and the danger represented by the Cimbri and the Teutones, two populations of Germanic origin who had invaded Gaul and threatened to reach Italy. The consul then made a strategic move: he reformed the army, making it voluntary. The army was composed of all those who offered to fight, they had a monthly salary, called a soldo, and were professionally trained. In addition, when the soldiers were discharged they were given a plot of land. Thanks to the new army and the cunning of the young officer of noble family Lucius Cornelius Sulla, in 105 BC Jugurtha was captured and brought to Rome in chains.
CAIUS MARIUS: THE CLASH WITH THE CIMBRIANS AND THE TEUTONS. Caius Marius thus became the leader of the populares, the Roman political faction that opposed the optimates. He was re-elected consul 5 times. In 102 BC he defeated the Teutons at Aquae Sextiae, while in 101 BC the Cimbri at Campi Raudii. In these years Marius implemented a policy of concessions and benefits towards the less well-off classes, provoking violent opposition from the optimates. The tribune of the plebs Saturninus, a friend and ally of Marius, had proposed that the general’s veterans be assigned large plots of land. However, this was opposed not only by the senators, but also by part of the plebs and knights. Marius then, in order not to alienate part of the people, decided to listen to the Senate and repress the revolt that had broken out. However, this was a mistake, as he also alienated the veterans and remained disliked by the Senate. The politics of the populares had been defeated.
