The Republic
Marius
He opened the army to poorer citizens.
Years. 157 BC to 86 BC
We are not sure. Some details of his army reform are still debated.
Three short facts
- 1He was not from an old noble family.
- 2He beat a king in North Africa named Jugurtha.
- 3He held the top job, consul, many times.
The story
Marius was a tough soldier from a town outside Rome.
He let men without land join the legions.
The state helped arm them.
His soldiers became loyal to their general, not only to the Senate.