Marius's Loyalty To Power

The military campaigns of the Caesars made Rome one of the largest empires of the ancient world. Suetonius conveys through his writings that being a good military leader and a good Caesar were synonymous. Augustus, who Suetonius thought an excellent leader, reunited the eastern and western halves of the Roman Empire ( 51) and greatly expanded Romes territory (53). Augustus “showed not only skill as a commander, but courage as a soldier” in the eyes of his contemporaries (47). On the other hand, both Caligula and Nero, considered poor leaders by Suetonius, had very limited military success and aspirations. Only once did Caligula initiate a military exploit, and it was rife with his madness. His campaign into Germany was on a whim and all he accomplished was receiving the surrender of a

Before Marius left for Jugurtha, he decided a total reform of the military system was necessary. The military recruitment system in place before Marius involved recruiting the army from the landowning masses of Rome. A.J Koutsoukis, author of History of the ancient world; Ancient Rome describes recruitment as an "unwelcome obligation" as it meant "a long time away from the family farm, and possible economic ruin."6 In an effort to dramatically increase the size of the army and overcome the shortage of soldiers, Marius welcomed landless, unemployed recruits into the army. This transformed the service from a reluctant obligation to a paid profession. The landless soldiers were given weapons and payment by their general, and for this reason were unconcerned with the Republics' motives behind their fighting, and more concerned with pleasing the individuals responsible for their payment and weapons, in this case being the generals. Many soldiers sought guidance and advice from their generals

Julius Caesar was and still is considered to be one of the greatest military generals in history. His combination of leadership skills, military genius, and speaking ability propelled him to the forefront of Roman society. Born on June 12/13 100 B.C., Caesar was born into an ancient aristocratic family. Around the age of 16 after his father had died, Caesar had joined the military. It was apparent from this time onward that Caesar was especially gifted in the arts of strategy and warfare. By the age of 30 Caesar had begun making political strides in his perpetual quest for glory and prominence. During this time he would work closely with his friend and future mortal enemy, Pompey. In the next ten years, Caesar would become governor of Spain and ascend to the position of consul. His partnership with Marcus Licinius Crassus further increased Caesar’s rise to power, as Crassus himself was a powerful politician and general, who was arguably the wealthiest man in all of Rome. Along with Pompey, the three men formed what came to be known as the First Triumvirate. Although Caesar was aligned with Pompey, he never ceased to find ways outmaneuver him, qualities that would eventually precipitate Rome’s civil war. Continuing his military conquests, Caesar would become the governor of Gaul, which is now modern day Belgium and France. After ascending to this position, he’d engage in a near decade-long conquest of Gaul known as the Gallic War. Probably his most successful battle and

Gill, author of the article titled, who were the Gracchi Brothers of ancient Rome?, states that Gaius continued to expand his older brothers reform issues when he became tribune in 123 B.C., ten years after the death of his oldest brother. Gaius was not alone because as soon as he became a tribune he created a coalition of men that agreed to stand up with him against the senate to pass legislation. In addition to that Gill states, “Gaius was able to found colonies in Italy and Carthage, and instituted more humane laws surrounding military conscription”. The military laws that he enacted proposed that the state would pay for all the equipment that is needed to go to war and that the state could only enlarge its military with teenagers being over the age of seventeen. Although Gaius could not accomplish much either because he committed suicide after one of his opponents getting killed which then led the state to declare his as an enemy of the state, the only charge that existed of being an enemy was execution without a trial by

In Rome, Julius Caesar, nephew of the general Marius, favored liberal policies and social reforms. Even these well-known political sympathies, he almost didn't scapte from Sulla's reign, because he thought that Caesar wasn't a serious threat. During the decade of 60s b.c.e. Caesar spent a lot of money in battles between gladiators and wild animals, woning a good reputation. During the next decade, he led a roman army to Gaul, which he won and made the roman empire grow further.

The next set of military reforms come in 107 BC by then consul, Gaius Marius. These reforms expanded Rome’s army vastly and was influential in Rome’s future conquests, as well as protecting Rome from invaders. The reforms also gave military leaders more power than ever, and swayed soldiers to being loyal to their commanders instead of the Roman state. Marius, himself, is a very unlikely person to bring this kind of reform to the Roman army given his background. Although there is some conflicting sources as to Marius’ parents occupations with Plutarch claiming that they were poor peasants, “who supported themselves by their daily labour” (Plutarch 549), and other sources

Gaius Marius was a Roman politician and general who had a long and varied career near the end of the period of the Roman Republic. Born in 157, Marius died in the year 86 B.C. leaving a legacy of many offices in the Roman political system and been responsible for many significant reforms in the military system and organization of Rome's army. In his time, he was hailed as a hero for several of his accomplishments. ‘Marius would be Consul of Rome seven times and Marius was also hailed as the Third Founder of the city and the First Man in Rome. He would reform the Army, restructure Roman society, save the city from barbarians and revolts, and raise significant political isssues to the attention of his fellow citizens. A description of the many accomplishments of Gaius Marius will demonstrate that he was a figure of considerable historical significance in the history of Rome.

Roman consuls, typically having gone through the cursus honorum, were more than likely effete aristocrats without the slightest skill in military affairs. Marius achieved military success in the war against Jugurtha in North Africa, and his military reforms had made him very popular with his troops. Marius gained loyalty from his troops then he used there backing as a gain for political power.The emperor was too late so he had to change the Roman Republic to autocratic so nobody would oppose of him and the things he was doing and could not gain any power without him giving it to that

Caesar's successes in Gaul, along with his growing power and wealth, drove Pompey. While Caesar was fighting in Gaul, Pompey proceeded with a legislative agenda for Rome, which revealed that he was now covertly allied with Caesar's enemies. Pompey also made it clear that Caesar would not be permitted to stand for Consul unless he turned over control of his armies. This would, of course, leave Caesar defenseless before his enemies. Pompey was elected consul without colleague in 52. The

His uncle, Marius had once famously defended Rome from the invading Germans and was therefore known as a great army commander. Our man came of age and started his public life when Cinna ruled Rome, which did not last too long. Nevertheless, the man had a great impact on our Julius Caesar, since the flamen dialis or priest of Jupiter died. Rome now needed a new flamen dialis and people were definitely not too excited about becoming one. Then Cinna thought about Julius Caesar, the nephew of Marius the army commander.

A strong and reliable military is one of the key characteristics of a successful empire, and Julius’ military was exactly that. Caesar not only expanded the Roman Republic’s territory, he also came to a consensus with many enemies, which made it easier for the Roman Empire to trade with neighboring empires.

Marius had two triumphs. He must of been a great military commander to earn achievement. His military process is what got him his first consulship. Plutarch describes how his “name and reputation spread through Africa” and he also notes Marius’ “display of consummate courage” (Plutarch Marius 7) Your name and reputation don’t spread for no reason; Marius must have had excelled in the qualities most sought after in regard to war. Plutarch says how he showed the he was: capable of going through what the soldiers injured, his foresight. The former gave him “considerable affection and loyalty from the troops”, this loyalty lead to the soldiers writing back to Rome, stating that “The African war could only be won if Marius was elected consol” (Plutarch Marius 7) This shows that Marius must have excelled hugely at military process. The Scipio Epitaph’s list the father and offices the father held and military successes. This must have been a compelling argument to the Romans. Plutarch notes how “Metellus was visually displeased about this” (Plutrach Marius 8) Giving us further evidence to how people felt about new men. He had to quickly get back to Rome. With his first consulship he “enrolled a large number of paupers, and slaves into the army” (PLutrach Marius 9). This action is unpreceded and must have annoyed some. This shows that he thought of new ways to use the Roman armies. Which was basically taking the poor and training them. That training would appear to pay off. He got a triumph. It must have been quite a shock to the Romans in some ways that a new man who becomes consol comes into Rome celebrating a triumph. Q.Metelleus told Marius that he’d support Marius being consol with his son. An insult of sorts since Marius already 49 and that son about fifteen years younger than him. To achieve something that hadn’t happened in a long time and for it to be a new man must have shocked a lot of people. Or at

Two major forces struggled for dominance within Rome during the last century before the Common Era began. These two political forces were the citizens, whom Cicero believed should rule, and the military. The latter would assume power and according to Cicero this was the beginning of the end of the Roman Republic.[1] Cicero was correct in his stoic assessments that when the power was taken from the people and put into the hands of the few then no longer was Rome guided by moral and philosophical principals. With the power in the hands of the military Rome would now be put on a war path of conquest, greed, corruption, and self-preservation founded on fear and intimidation rather than public service, personal accountability and honesty.[2] Cicero however Novus Homo that he was, being the first elected from his family to the Consul in 63 BC, was in a loss for true company among the biggest the power players of his day.

Caesar, manipulates the power of Cicero, which earned him the right of imperium, through the senate. With this he serves alongside the consuls in the campaign against Antonius in Cisalpine Gaul [this side of the Alps]. Coincidentally, to his enormous advantage both the consuls were killed in action. Caesar’s political skill is displayed here again. He has no legal right to Consulship but registers that the position may be taken by force.

In 60 BC Gaius Julius Caesar returned to Rome from his governorship of Hispania Ulterior. There he has successfully campaigned against local tribes and given a triumph. Roman law stated that generals given a triumph had to stay outside the city until the triumph commenced, but Caesar also wanted to run for the consulship of 59 BC, which he had to be in the city to declare. The Senate, led by Cato, denied his request to run in absentia, so Caesar gave up his triumph to become a candidate. Caesar had a lot of opposition against him in the senate, especially from the optimates. The greatest Roman general in 60 BC is Gneaus Pompeius, a man given the title Magnus (The Great)