BC110-91 Gaius Marius and Soldier Land Grants
The twenty years from 110-91 BC were dominated by the exploits of Gaius Marius (pictured).
Following the deaths of the popularist Gracchi brothers, Roman politics was endangered by mob violence and with the badly executed Jugurthine War (112–105 BC) dragging on in Numidia, Rome was finding the military demands of its holdings a drain on its resources.
The Jugurthine War, however, launched the career of Gaius Marius a 'new man' from Arpinum who had wealth and minor political influence, but was not from an aristocratic Roman family. Marius stood for election as Consul in 107 BC on the promise to end the war within a year and surprisingly, was elected on this promise.
As a Consul, Marius instituted the Marian reforms in 107 BC -- not without Patrician opposition -- which reorganized the tactical structure of the Roman legion, and allowed the recruitment of poor and landless Roman citizens into the legions, at state expense.
Soldiers enlisted for 20 years, and were to be rewarded with a land grant at the end of their term of service. From then on, soldiers were professionals fighting for their 'pension', and owed more allegiance to their commanding general than the Roman state.
Although Marius did not complete the war within the year, he was elected Consul for a second time in absentia and in 105 BC he defeated Jugurtha who was captured by King Bocchus I of Mauretania and handed over to one of Marius' quaestors, Lucius Cornelius Sulla.
After returning to Rome a military hero, Marius was confronted by the Battle of Arausio in 105 BC between Rome and the 'barbarians' -- migrating Cimbri and Teutoni tribes from Germany. Rome's defeat was a serious breach in northern Italy's defences and to fight the remainder of the Cimbrian War Marius was elected Consul for three more years.
Marius raised new Legions from plebeian volunteers, trained them and crushed the Teutoni at the Battle of Aquae Sextae in 102 BC. He helped Quintus Lutatius Catulus to likewise defeat the Cimbri at the Battle of Vercellae in 101 BC.
Having saved Rome, Marius was elected to Consul an unprecedented 6th time in 100 BC, but after a humiliating political scandal concerning Lucius Appuleius Saturninus, he retired from public life.
Following the deaths of the popularist Gracchi brothers, Roman politics was endangered by mob violence and with the badly executed Jugurthine War (112–105 BC) dragging on in Numidia, Rome was finding the military demands of its holdings a drain on its resources.
The Jugurthine War, however, launched the career of Gaius Marius a 'new man' from Arpinum who had wealth and minor political influence, but was not from an aristocratic Roman family. Marius stood for election as Consul in 107 BC on the promise to end the war within a year and surprisingly, was elected on this promise.
As a Consul, Marius instituted the Marian reforms in 107 BC -- not without Patrician opposition -- which reorganized the tactical structure of the Roman legion, and allowed the recruitment of poor and landless Roman citizens into the legions, at state expense.
Soldiers enlisted for 20 years, and were to be rewarded with a land grant at the end of their term of service. From then on, soldiers were professionals fighting for their 'pension', and owed more allegiance to their commanding general than the Roman state.
Although Marius did not complete the war within the year, he was elected Consul for a second time in absentia and in 105 BC he defeated Jugurtha who was captured by King Bocchus I of Mauretania and handed over to one of Marius' quaestors, Lucius Cornelius Sulla.
After returning to Rome a military hero, Marius was confronted by the Battle of Arausio in 105 BC between Rome and the 'barbarians' -- migrating Cimbri and Teutoni tribes from Germany. Rome's defeat was a serious breach in northern Italy's defences and to fight the remainder of the Cimbrian War Marius was elected Consul for three more years.
Marius raised new Legions from plebeian volunteers, trained them and crushed the Teutoni at the Battle of Aquae Sextae in 102 BC. He helped Quintus Lutatius Catulus to likewise defeat the Cimbri at the Battle of Vercellae in 101 BC.
Having saved Rome, Marius was elected to Consul an unprecedented 6th time in 100 BC, but after a humiliating political scandal concerning Lucius Appuleius Saturninus, he retired from public life.
Labels: arausio, bc110, cimbri, gaius marius, gracchi brothers, jugurthine war, numidia, sulla, teutoni
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