GAIUS MARIUS

Born in 155BC Marius was a Roman commander and statesman. He served in
Spain in 134, and in the Jugurthine war 109-106. He was elected consul the
record number of 7 times, firstly in 107BC. He defeated the invading
Germanic tribes, the Cimbri and the Teutones 102-101 saving Italy and
Rome from devestation. He became involved against Sulla and a civil war
broke out in 88 BC. Sulla marched on Rome and Marius fled to Africa.
However he later returned to Rome and held sway alongside Cinna.

Marius made major reforms of the Roman army and helped to establish it as
a near unbeatable fighting machine.