2020-01-13 Mon

Gaius Marius was one of the Roman Republic’s most accomplished men. He was a skillful general, influential military reformer, and a successful politician. Victor of the Cimbric and Jugurthine wars, he held the office of consul an unprecedented seven times during his career.

Marius was born in 157 BC in the town of Arpinum in southern Latium. At an early age, he entered Rome’s legions and served with integrity. He was also noted for his important reforms of Roman armies. For his victory over invading Germanic tribes in the Cimbrian War, he was dubbed "the third founder of Rome".

The above shown Denarius depicts Gaius Marius as triumphant in a chariot; the young man on horseback is probably his son. Marius was awarded this triumph for his victory over the Teutones.

Marius died on 13 January 86 BC, just seventeen days into his seventh consulship. Lucius Valerius Flaccus succeeded Marius as consul.

Image Source: wikipedia.org