Gaius_Marius

Gaius Marius Gaius Marius By Michelle Dillow Gaius Marius was a man who rose from nothing into everything. He was called a “novus homo” which means New Man, because he was not Roman by birth, and did not have family in politics. Lady Fortune was on his side. He had money, married into a noble family, and obtained the highest political office in the Roman republic seven times. This accomplishment was almost impossible for anyone not born of Roman blood. He was a “vir militaris“, a Military man, and a brilliant general that knew how to command armies. He treated his soldiers like people and was very concerned about their welfare and benefits. His concerns were for the common people of Rome and for nationals who could not gain citizenship. He knew the republic was failing and he wanted to change it for the better. Marius had many friends and many enemies. Both his friends and enemies were powerful. Gaius Julius Caesar saw the potential to be great in Marius. He knew Marius wanted to be consul, and knew that Marius deserved the position. Marius had been elected as Quaestor years marius, rome, man, quintus, law, knew, germans, gaius, consulship, caecilius, wanted, people, military, war, time, second, saturninus, roman, family, consul, army, africa, marius, troops, times, strategy, soldiers, senate, rutilius, publius, political, pay, noble, make, general