Marius

Description

Gaius Marius (158/157-86 BC) has a major transformational impact on the history of the late Roman Republic. Although none of his ancestors had been a member of the Senate, he managed to reach the consulship on seven occasions, and was responsible for a series of major military victories, notably against King Jugurtha in North Africa and the Teutons and the Cimbrians in Southern Gaul and Northern Italy. Much of his internal political agenda, however, was highly controversial. His reform of the army recruitment system was regarded by some (perhaps with undue emphasis) as a crucial factor in the downfall of the Roman Republic. The final years of his life witnessed his exile, his return to Rome at the head of an armed force, and his comeback to power, shortly followed by his sudden death. This volume provides an account of the life and career of Gaius Marius, sets his achievements and failures within the wider context of the decline of the Roman Republic, and discusses his political legacy in the following decades. It also provides an assessment of the main modern interpretations of the man and his policies. FC......Page 1 Half title......Page 2 Ancients In Action......Page 3 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgements......Page 9 Chronology......Page 10 Why Marius matters......Page 14 Marius’ background......Page 17 The context......Page 22 Marius’ early career......Page 28 The Jugurthine War......Page 38 The Germanic War......Page 55 The wrong crowd......Page 70 Elder statesman......Page 78 The Social War......Page 84 Disruption and tradition: the first march on Rome......Page 87 Marius’ flight......Page 94 The final comeback......Page 100 The Mariani......Page 108 Caesar and Cicero......Page 112 Marius under the Principate......Page 114 Further Reading......Page 118 References to the Ancient Sources......Page 126 Index......Page 134