Caius Marius

Also known as: Marius · Family: Roman · Role: consul and general · First appears: Caius Marius

Caius Marius, son of a father of the same name and Fulcinia, was mentored by Scipio Africanus and, with the assistance of Caecilius Metellus, obtained the tribuneship of the people. Metellus later took him as lieutenant in the war against Jugurtha, whom Marius promised either to slay or capture, but his violent opposition to Turpillius’s conduct led to Turpillius’s death, and “Henceforward they were at open variance.” Marius also had an intimate friend in Cassius Sabaco and made an honorable marriage with Julia of the Caesar family.

He formed close alliances with Glaucia and Lucius Saturninus, whose support helped him become consul again despite legal restrictions. He and Claudius Marcellus routed the Teutones and Ambrones, while his colleague Catulus Lutatius shared in the victory over the Cimbri, though the two disputed which army had won it. Marius opposed Caecilius Metellus’s recall from banishment, then left for Cappadocia and Galatia; he had earlier taken Sylla as quaestor, but their rivalry became a fierce hostility. Sulpicius later proposed him as proconsul and general, and Marius joined himself and his forces with Cinna.

After Sylla’s forces drove him from Rome, Marius encountered Fannia, who cared for and comforted him despite old affronts. He sent Young Marius to the farms of Mucius, travelled with his son-in-law Granius, and faced opposition from Geminius and Sextilius; he also carried about Martha, a Syrian woman regarded as a prophetess. When Cinna restored his authority, Marius returned to Rome with armed slaves and ordered the murder of citizens and opponents, including Ancharius and Marcus Antonius, while Octavius stood against him and the servants of Cornutus concealed their master. Marius died from illness on the seventeenth day of his seventh consulship, “to the great joy and content of Rome.”