Gaius Marius

Profession: Roman General and Consul

Nationality:

Biography: Gaius Marius was a Roman general and statesman, holding the office of consul an unprecedented seven times during his career. His political activity and particularly military reforms, now known as the Marian reforms, were significant in transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

He is best known for his radical overhaul of the Roman armies. Before Marius, the army was a part-time militia of peasant farmers who could only serve in the army while they were not needed for the harvest. Marius changed this by professionalizing the army, recruiting volunteers from among the unemployed urban poor and landless rural poor, who would serve for a fixed term of years in return for a share of the spoils of war.

Marius' military reforms had profound and lasting effects on the Roman Empire. His reorganization of the army ensured its supremacy in the Mediterranean world and greatly increased the military power and flexibility that Rome could bring to bear against its enemies.

Apart from his military reforms, Marius is notable for his political career in Rome. He championed the popular cause against the senatorial elite, and his seven consulships broke with the traditional political norms of Rome.

Birthplace: Arpinum, Italy

Died: January 13, 86 BC