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Biography of Gaius Marius
Name: Gaius Marius
Birth Date: c. 157 B.C.
Death Date: 86 B.C.
Place of Birth: Italy
Nationality: Roman
Gender: Male
Occupations: politician, general
Gaius Marius
Gaius Marius (ca. 157-86 BC) was a Roman general and popular politician. His military reforms and great commands led to the growing involvement of the army in politics and the eventual collapse of the republican system.Born near Arpinum in central Italy, Marius was of country stock. However, his family was well enough situated that Marius could enter a public career in Rome. He saw his first military service in 134-133 B.C. with Scipio Aemilianus (Scipio Africanus Minor) at Numantia, where Marius was decorated for bravery. Ten years later, as military tribune, he may have served under Q. Caecilius Metellus Balearicus against the Balearic pirates. In 122 Marius returned to Rome to be elected to the quaestorship and may have accompanied Q. Fabius Maximus, son of Scipio Aemilianus, to Gaul.Marius thus earned powerful backing among the Roman nobility. In consequence, under the patronage of the Metelli, he won election to the …showed first 150 words…
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…showed last 150 words…or by lesser men seeking private revenge. There is no evidence that Marius was mentally unbalanced when he returned to Italy.To reward Marius for his services, Cinna reassigned to him the Eastern command and chose him as his colleague in the consulship for 86. But, 70 years old and worn out by the rigors of his exile and return, Marius took sick shortly after entering that office for the seventh time. He died of pneumonia on Jan. 13, 86. Further Reading The chief ancient sources for Marius are Plutarch, Life of Marius; Sallust, Jugurthine War; and Appian, Bellum Civile. For a sympathetic view of Marius and a full discussion of the major problems see T. F. Carney, A Biography of C. Marius (1961; 2d ed. 1970). The Cambridge Ancient History, vol. 9 (1932), and H. H. Scullard, From the Gracchi to Nero (1959; 2d ed. 1963), give valuable accounts of Marius's career. See also Phillip A. Kildahl, Caius Marius (1968).
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