After
the country, or else he would carry into execution the audience was over, they marched to the city :
the decree of the senate, and treat him as an enemy (Cinna entered it with his guards; but when Marius
ii 26.
the country, or else he would carry into execution the audience was over, they marched to the city :
the decree of the senate, and treat him as an enemy (Cinna entered it with his guards; but when Marius
ii 26.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - b
In B.
c.
105 two consular armies, east, crossing the Tyrolese Alps by the defiles of
commanded by the consul Cn. Mallius Maximus Tridentum (Trent). The Teutones and Ambrones
and the proconsul Cn. Servilius Caepio, consisting on the other hand marched against Marius, intend-
of 80,000 men, were completely annihilated by the ing, as it seems, to penetrate into Italy by Nice
barbarians: only two men are said to have escaped and the Riviera of Genoa. Marius, anxious to
the slaughter. (Caepio, No. 7. )
accustom his soldiers to the savage and strange ap-
These repeated disasters hushed all party quar- pearance of the barbarians, would not give them
rels. Every one at Rome felt that Marius was the battle at first. The latter accordingly resolved to
only man capable of saving the state, and he was attack the Roman camp; but as they were re-
accordingly elected consul by the unanimous votes pulsed in this attempt, they broke up their en-
of all parties, wbile he was still absent in Africa campment, and pressed on at once for Italy. So
He entered Rome in triumph on the 1st of January, great were their numbers, that they are said to
B. c. 104, which was also the first day of his second have been six days in marching by the Roman
consulship, leading Jugurtha in chains in the pro camp. As soon as they had advanced a little way,
cession. On this day he gave a striking instance Marius also quitted his station and followed them;
of his arrogance, by entering the senate-house in and thus the armies continued to march for a few
his triumphal robes. Meanwhile, the threatened days, the barbarians in the front and Marius be-
danger was for a while averted. Instead of cross- hind, till they came to the neighbourhood of Aquae
ing the Alps, and pouring down upon Italy, as had Sextiae (Aix). Here the decisive battle was
been expected, the Cimbri marched into Spain, fought. Marius had pitched his camp in a spot
which they ravaged for the next two or three which was badly supplied with water, and is said
years. This interval was advantageously employed to have done so intentionally. The necessity which
by Marius in training the new troops, and accus the Roman soldiers were under of obtaining their
toming them to bardships and toil. It was pro- water in the neighbourhood of the barbarians' camp,
bably during this time that he introduced the led to a fierce skirmish between the two armies ;
various changes into the organization of the Roman and this was followed, after the lapse of two or
army, which are usually attributed to him. Not- three days, by a general engagement. The battle
withstanding the stemness and severity with which was fiercely contested ; but an ambush of 3000
he punished the least breach of discipline, he gra- soldiers, which Marius had stationed under the
dually became a great favourite with his new command of Claudius Marcellus, in the rear of the
troops, who learnt to place implicit confidence in barbarians, and which fell upon them when they
their general, and were especially delighted with were already retreating before Marius, decided
the strict impartiality with which he visited the the fortune of the day. Attacked both in front
offences of the officers as well as of the privates. and rear, and also dreadfully exhausted by the
As the enemy still continued in Spain, Marius excessive heat of the weather, they at length
was elected consul a third time for the year B. C. broke their ranks and fled. The carnage was
103 ; but since they did not make their appearance dreadful ; some writers speak of 200,000 slain,
even during the latter year, the Romans began to and 80,000 taken prisoners (Liv. Epit. 68 ; Oros.
recover a little from their panic, and several candi- v. 16); others state the number of the slain at
dates of distinction offered themselves for the 150,000 (Vell. Pat. ii. 12); while another state-
consulship. Under these circumstances Marius ment reduces the number to 100,000 (Plut. Mar.
repaired to Rome, where he gained over L. Satur- 21); but whatever may bave been the number that
ninus, the most popular of the tribunes, who per- fell, the whole nation was annihilated, for those
suaded the people to confer the consulship upon who escaped put an end to their lives, and their
Marius again, who was accordingly elected for the wives followed their example. Immediately after
fourth time (8. c. 102), although, to save appear- | the battle, as Marius was in the act of setting fire
## p. 956 (#972) ############################################
956
MARIUS.
MARIUS.
which Marias
state was still
popularity and
Erected in the
the surrender
infamed with
down by iorce
least him ; 2:
come to openi
broken dat je
required at
Rome possess
Sula were ac
Manus show
112111et in a
war, Fet be
too slow; an
the shade by
Seila Marii
Eis body had
F4 incapa
active servia
consul P. Rt
failen in ba
command of
Upon Mario
saccess retro
band, and
to the vast heap of broken arms which had been gain the tribunate, did not hesitate to assassinato
collected together, and which was intended as an A. Nonius, because he was a rival candidate.
offering to the gods, horsemen rode up to him, and Marius in his sixth consulship (B. C. 100) was
greeted him with the news of his being elected guilty of an act of the deepest perfidy, in order to
consul for the fifth time.
ruin his old enemy Metellus. Saturninus had pro
The Cimbri, in the mean time, had forced their posed an agrarian law (SATURNINUS), and had
way into Italy. The colleague of Marius, Q. Lu- added to it the clause, that if the people passed the
tatius Catulus, despairing of defending the passes law, the senate should swear obedience to it
of the Tyrol, had taken up a strong position on the within five days, and whoever refused to do so
Athesis (Adige); but in consequence of the terror should be expelled from the senate, and pay a fine
of his soldiers at the approach of the barbarians, he of twenty talents. In order to entrap Metellus,
was obliged to retreat even beyond the Po, thus Marius got up in his place in the sennie, and de-
leaving the whole of the rich plain of Lombardy clared that he would never take the oath, and
exposed to the ravages of the barbarians. Marius Metellus made the saine declaration ; but when the
was thereupon recalled to Rome. The senate tribune summoned the senators to the rostra to
offered him a triumph for his victory over the comply with the demand of the law, Marius, to the
Teutones, which he declined while the Cimbri were astonishment of all, inmediately took the oath, and
in Italy, and proceeded to join Catulus, who now advised the senate to follow his example. Metellus
commanded as proconsul, B. c. 101. The army of alone refused compliince, and was in consequence
Marius had also marched into Italy, and with banished from the city. The next act of Marius
their united forces Marius and Catulus hastened in was one of equal treachery. He had availed him-
search of the enemy. They came up with them self of the services of Situminus to gain the con-
near Vercellae (Vercelli), westward of Milan, and sulship and ruin Metellus, and had supported him
the decisive battle was fought on the 30th of July, in all his violent and unconstitutional proceedings;
in a plain called the Raudii Campi, the exact posi- but when he found that Saturninus had gone too
tion of which is uncertain, but which must have far, and had excited a storm of universal indig-
been in the neighbourhood of Vercellae. The nation and hatred, Marius deserted his companion
Cimbri met with the same fate as the Teutones ; in guilt ; and being applied to by the senate to
the slain are again spoken of as between one and crush Saturninus and his crew, he complied with
two hundred thousand ; and the women, like those the request. Invested by the senate with absolute
of the Teutones, put an end to their lives. The power, by the well-known decree, Videret, nequid
Tigurini, who had been stationed at the passes of res publica detrimenti caperet, he collected an armed
the Tyrolese Alps, took to flight and dispersed, as force, and laid siege to the capitol, where Satur-
soon as they heard of the destruction of their ninus, Glaucia, and their confederates, had taken
brethren in arms. The details of this battle are refuge. Marius cut off the pipes which supplied
given elsewhere (Catulus, No. 3), where it is the capitol with water, and obliged the conspirators
shown that there are strong reasons for doubting to surrender at discretion ; and though he made
the account of Plutarch, which assigns the glory of some efforts to save their lives, they were put to
this victory to Catulus. At Rome, at all events, death immediately they had descended into the
the whole credit was given to Marius ; he was forum. By the share which he had taken in this
hailed as the saviour of the state ; his name was transaction, Marius lost the favour of a great part,
coupled with the gods in the libations and at ban- of the people, without gaining that of the senate ;
quets, and he received the title of third founder of and, accordingly, when the time for the election of
Rome. He celebrated his victories by the most the censors came, he did not venture to offer him-
brilliant triumph, in which Catulus, however, was self as a candidate, but allowed persons of far in-
allowed to share.
ferior pretensions to gain this dignity, to which his
Hitherto the career of Marius had been a glorious rank and position in the state would seem to have
one, and it would have been fortunate for him, as entitled him.
Niebubr has remarked, if he had died on the day The sixth consulship of Marius ended in disgrace
of his triumph. The remainder of his life is full and shame. In the following year (B. c. 99) he
of borrors, and brings out into prominent relief the left Rome, in order that he might not witness the
worst features of his character. As the time for return of Metellus from exile, a measure which he
the consular elections approached, Marius was eager had been unable to prevent, and set sail for Cap-
to obtain this dignity for the sixth time, and was padocia and Galatia, under the pretence of offering
therefore obliged, contrary to his inclination and sacrifices which he had vowed to the Great Mother.
character, to play the part of a popular man, and to He had however a deeper purpose in visiting these
court the favour of the electors. He wished to be countries. Finding that he was losing his influence
first in peace as well as in war, and to rule the and popularity while the republic was in a state of
state as well as the army. But he did not possess peace, he was anxious to recover his lost ground by
the qualities requisite for a popular leader at Rome ; gaining fresh victories in war, and accordingly re-
he had no power of oratory, and lost his presence paired to the court of Mithridates, in hopes of
of mind in the noise and shouts of the popular rousing him to make war upon the Romans.
assemblies. In order to secure his election, he was during his absence that he was elected augur.
entered into close connection with two of the worst Marius on his return to Rome built a house
demagogues that ever appeared at Rome, Satur- near the forum, that the people might not have to
ninus and Glaucia, the former of whom was a can- come so far to pay their respects to him ; but all
didate for the tribunate, and the latter for the prae- his efforts were vain to regain his lost popularity ;
· torship, and by their means, as well as by bribing and the hopes he had entertained of obtaining the
the tribes, he secured his election to the consulship command of the war in Asia were also frustrated by
for the sixth time. Saturninus and Glaucia also the ability with which Sulla repressed all disturb-
carried their elections ; and the former, in order to , ances in the East in B. c. 92. The disappointment
bis weaknes
toils of the
been most is
warlike and
An anecdo
conduet of
of the veter
trenched bi
the stratage
estice him
Pompaedius
voured to do
pride 1
dow and
“Nay, do
me to fight
In B. C. &
volved Roc
with the me
of power a
obtain the c
and as he
tbe fatigues
to the Car
Exercises w
choly sight
dignity
Plutarch,
gain and di
baring riser
and
to the highe
When to pu
not satisfiec
and quietly
in want of
bonours wa
Eaxine to o
bans and le
Bat all his
Salla obtain
senate rare
Mithridates.
desperate
2
## p. 957 (#973) ############################################
MARIUS.
957
MARIUS.
;
:
which Marius felt at losing his influence in the portunity for distinction, and obtain it for himself.
state was still further exasperated by the growing He got the tribune, P. Sulpicius Rufus, to bring
popularity and power of Sulla ; and when Bocchus forward a law for distributing the Italian allies,
erected in the capitol gilded figures, representing who had just obtained the Roman franchise, among
the surrender of jugurtha to Sulla, Marius was so all the tribes ; and as they greatly exceeded
inflamed with rage, that he resolved to pull them the old citizens in number, they would of course
down by force. Sulla was making preparations to be able to carry whatever they pleased in the co-
resist him ; and both parties would probably have mitia. If this law were passed, they would of
come to open violence, had not the Social War course, out of gratitude to Marius, annul the re-
broken out just at that time (B. C. 90). This war solution of the senate, and give the command of
required all the services of all the generals that the Mithridatic war to their benefactor. This law
Rome possessed, and, accordingly, both Marius and met with the most vehement opposition from the
Sulla were actively employed in it. But although old citizens; and the consuls, to prevent it from
Marius showed great military abilities in the being carried, declared a justitium, during which
manner in which he conducted his share of the no business could be legally transacted. But Ma-
war, yet he was considered to be over cautious and rius and Sulpicius were resolved to have recourse
too slow; and his achievements were thrown into to the last extremities sooner than lose their point.
the shade by the superior energy and activity of They entered the forum with an armed force, and
Sulla. Marius was now in bis sixty-seventh year: called upon the consuls to withdraw the justitium:
his body had grown stout and unwieldy, and he in the tumult which followed the young son of
was incapable of enduring the fatigue of very Pompeius, the colleague of Sulla, was murdered,
active service. He served as the legate of the and Sulla himself only escaped by taking refuge in
consul P. Rutilius Lupus; and after the latter had the house of Marius, which was close to the forum.
fallen in battle [Lupus, RUTILIUS), the chief To save their lives the consuls were obliged to
command of the northern scene of the war devolved withdraw the justitium : the law of Sulpicius was
upon Marius.
He defeated the Marsi in two carried ; and the tribes, in which the new citizens
successive battles, after which he gave up the com- now had the majority, appointed Marius to the
mand, and returned to Rome, on the ground that command of the war against Mithridates.
his weakness rendered him unable to endure the Marius had now gained the great object of his
toils of the campaign. His services, however, had ambition ; but it was hardly to be expected that a
been most important, for he had defeated the most power which had been violently obtained should
warlike and the most dangerous of all the allies. be peacefully surrendered. The army destined for
An anecdote preserved by Plutarch respecting the the Mithridatic war was stationed at Nola, and
conduct of Marius in this campaign is characteristic thither Marius sent two military tribunes, to take
of the veteran general. Marius had strongly in the command of the troops and bring them to him.
trenched himself in a fortified camp, and neither But Sulla, who had previously joined the army,
the stratagems nor the taunts of the enemy could encouraged the soldiers to disobey the orders: they
entice him from his favourable position. At length murdered the tribunes whom Marius had sent";
Pompaedius Silo, the leader of the Marsi, endea- and when Sulla declared his intention of marching
voured to draw him out by appealing to his military to the city, and of putting down force by force,
pride. “If you are a great general, Marius, come they readily responded to his call. Marius had not
down and fight;" to which the veteran replied, expected this daring step, and was not prepared to
“Nay, do you, if you are a great general, coinpel meet it. Sulla was marching at the head of six
me to fight against my will. "
legions; and in order to obtain troops to oppose
In B. C. 88 the ambition of Marius at length in the latter, Marius attempted to raise a force by the
volved Rome in a civil war, which was attended abominable expedient of offering freedom to all
with the most frightful horrors. Insatiably fond slaves who would join him. But it was all in vain.
and distinction, Marius was anxious to Sulla entered the city without much difficulty, and
obtain the command of the war against Mithridates; Marius, with his son and a few companions, were
and as he was supposed to be incapable of enduring obliged to take to flight. Sulla used his victory
the fatigues of a campaign, he actually went daily with comparative moderation. Marius, Sulpicius,
to the Campus Martius, to go through the usual and a few others, were declared enemies of the
exercises with the young men. It was a melan- state, and condemned to death ; their property was
choly sight to see the old man so lost to all true confiscated, and a price set upon their heads; but no
dignity and greatness ; and the wiser part, says attempt was made against the lives of any others.
Plutarch,“ lamented to witness his greediness after Marius and his son left Rome together, but after-
gain and distinction ; and they pitied a man, who, wards separated, and the latter escaped in safety to
having risen from poverty to enormous wealth, and Africa. Marius with his stepson Granius em-
to the highest station from a low degree, knew not barked on board ship at Ostia, and thence sailed
when to put bounds to his good fortune, and was southward along the coast of Italy, exposed to the
not satisfied with being an object of admiration, greatest dangers, and enduring the greatest hard-
and quietly enjoying wbat he had; but as if he was ships. At Circeii Marius and his companions
in want of every thing, after his triumphs and his were obliged to land, on account of the violence of
honours was setting out to Cappadocia and the the wind and the want of provisions ; but they
Euxine to oppose himself in his old age to Arche could obtain nothing to eat, and after wandering
laus and Neoptolemus, the satraps of Mithridates. " | about for a long time, they learnt from some pea-
But all his efforts were in vain : his great enemy sants that a number of horsemen had been in search
Sulla obtained the consulship (B. C. 88), and the of them, and they accordingly turned aside from
senate guve him the command of the war against the road, and passed the night in a deep wood in
Mithridates. Thereupon Marius resolved to make great suffering and want. But the indomitable
2 desperate attempt to deprive his rival of this op- spirit of the old man did not fail him; and he
of power
## p. 958 (#974) ############################################
959
MARIUS.
MARIUS.
came to be
Owerred si
as an etue
wished for
comitia and
The cotitia
fore three of
tired of the
the city, ser
had forized
bim. The
guards stabb
and the stree
the Roman
hated or fear
and no con
former inend
a
of his renget
fell by the ba
colleague Q.
crer the Cin
own life. Ci
consoled himself and encouraged his companions by of the Roman people. This last blow almost un-
the assurance that he should still live to see his manned Marius ; grief and indignation for a time
berenth consulship, in accordance with a prediction deprived him of utterance ; and at last his only
that had been made to him in his youth: he told reply was, “Tell the praetor that you have č.
them that when a child an eagle's nest with seven Marius a fugitive sitting on the ruins of Carthage. "
young ones had fallen into his lap, and that the Meanwhile, the younger Marius, who had been to
soothsayers had informed his parents that the pro Numidia to implore the assistance of Hiempsal,
digy intimated that he should obtain the supreme had been detained by the Numidian king, but had
command and magistracy seven times. Marius escaped by the assistance of one of the concubines
and his friends wandered on to Minturnae, and of Hiempsal, who had fallen in love with him, and
when they were within two miles from the city, joined his father just at this time. They forth with
they saw a party of horsemen galloping towards got on board a small fishing-boat, and crossed over
them. In great haste they hurried down to the to the island of Cercina, as some Numidian horse-
sen, and swam off to two merchant vessels, which men were riding up to apprehend them.
received them on board. The horsemen bade the During this time a revolution had taken place at
Bailors bring the ship to land, or throw Marius Rome, which prepared the way for the return of
overboard ; but moved by the tears and entreaties Marius to Italy. The consuls for the year B. C.
of the old man, they refused to comply with the 87 were Cn. Octavius and L. Cornelius Cinna, of
request. As soon, however, as the horsemen had whom the former belonged to the aristocratical and
ridden off, the sailors, fearing to keep Marius, the latter to the Marian party. Sulla, however,
and yet not choosing to betray him, landed him at had made Cinna swear that he would not attempt
the mouth of the river Liris, and immediately to make any alteration in the state ; but as soon as
sailed away. Marius was now quite alone amid the former had left Italy to prosecute the war
the swamps and marshes through which the Liris against Mithridates, Cinna, paying no regard to
flows, and with difficulty waded through them to the oaths he had taken, brought forward again the
the hut of an old man, who concealed him in a hole law of Sulpicius for incorporating the new Italian
near the river, and covered him with reeds. But citizens among the thirty-five tribes. The two
hearing shortly afterwards the noise of his pursuers consuls had recourse to arms, Octavius to oppose
in the hut of the old man, he crept out of his and Cinna to carry the law. A dreadful conflict
hiding-place, stript off his clothes, and threw him- took place in the forum ; the party of Octavius
self into the thick and unuddy water of the marsh. obtained the victory, and Cinna was driven out of
Here he was discovered, dragged out of the water, the city with great slaughter. The senate forth-
and covered with mud, and with a rope round his with passed a decree, declaring that Cinna had
neck was delivered up to the authorities of Min- forfeited his citizenship and consulship, and ap-
turnae. They placed him for security in the house pointing L. Comelius Merula consul in his stead.
of a woman named Fannia, who was supposed to But Cinna would not relinquish his power without
be a personal enemy of his [FANNIA), and then another struggle ; and by means of the new citi-
deliberated whether they should comply with the zens, whose cause he espoused, he was soon at the
instruction that had been sent from Rome to all head of a formidable army. As soon as Marius
the municipal towns, to put Marius to death as soon heard of these changes he set sail from Africa, landed
as they found him. After some consultation they at Telamo in Etruria, and proclaiming freedom to
resolved to obey it, but at first they could find no the slaves began to collect a large force. He sent
one to carry it into execution. At length a Gallic or to Cinna, offering to obey him as consul. Cinna
Cimbrian horse-soldier undertook the horrible duty, accepted his proposal, and named Marius pro-
and with a drawn sword in his hand entered the consul, but Marius would not accept the title nor
apartment where Marius was confined. The part the insignia of office, observing that such marks of
of the room in which Marius lay was in the shade; honour were not suited to his condition and for-
and to the frightened barbarian the eyes of Marius tune. The sufferings and privations he had en-
seemed to dart out fire, and from the darkness a dured had exasperated his proud and haughty
terrible voice shouted out, “ Man, dost thou dare spirit almost to madness, and nothing but the blood
to murder C. Marius ? ” The barbarian immedi- of his enemies could appease his resentment The
a
but the app
by the slaugos
for its gratis
form of an
themselves et
and thus was
should be sere
enjoy the bon
Fear; his bod
and sufferings
the eigtteenth
attack of plet
cording to Plu
by dread of s
been troubled
ents are pri
Sulls, and she
The asbes of
into the Anio
of Marius;
Onomasticon 7
Jug. 46,63
31, 40446,
Patē 9, 12-
19. 1 All the
P. Weiland, C.
ramme of th
1845; and m
G. Long in the
Life of Marius
2. C. MARI
only an adopte
Cermina
house, exclaiming, “I cannot kill C. Marius. ” mingled respect and horror, as he went along: he
Straightway there was a revulsion of feeling among was clad in a mean and humble dress, and his hair
the inhabitants of Minturnae. They repented of and beard had not been cut from the day he had
their ungrateful conduct towards a man who had been driven out of Rome. After joining Cinna
saved Rome and Italy ; they got ready a ship for Marius proceeded to prosecute the war with great
his departure, provided him with every thing ne- vigour. He first captured the corn ships, and thus
cessary for the voyage, and with prayers and wishes cut off Rome from its usual supply of food. He
for his safety conducted him to the sea, and placed next took Ostia, and the other towns on the sea-
him on board. From Minturnae the wind carried coast, and moving down the Tiber, encamped on
him to the island of Aenaria (now Ischia), where the Janiculus. Famine began to rage in the city,
he found Granius and the rest of his friends ; and and the senate was obliged to yield. They sent
from thence he set sail for Africa, which he reached a deputation to Cinna and Marius, inviting them
in safety, after narrowly escaping death at Eryx in into the city, but entreating them to spare the
Sicily, where he was obliged to land to take in citizens. Cinna received the deputies sitting in
water. At Carthage Marius landed ; but he had his chair of office, and gave them a kind answer:
scarcely put his foot on shore before the Roman Marius stood by the consul's chair without speak-
governor Sextilius sent an officer to bid him leave ing, but his looks spoke louder than words.
After
the country, or else he would carry into execution the audience was over, they marched to the city :
the decree of the senate, and treat him as an enemy (Cinna entered it with his guards; but when Marius
ii 26. ) Appu
nephew
previously spola
He was born i
his life down
related in the
fears after the
engaged in the
Mithridates, an
of the Marian
in the footsteps
tinguished by m
He was elected
he was twenty-
was Cn. Papirio
dinum at the be
ater conquering
## p. 959 (#975) ############################################
MARIUS.
959
MARIUS.
;
came to the gates he affected to have scruples, and appears to have passed the winter in Campania
observed with contempt, that it was illegal for him Marius was stationed on the frontiers of Latium
as an exile to enter the city, and that if they to oppose him ; and the decisive battle was fought
wished for his presence, they must summon the near Sacri portus (the position of which is quite un-
comitia and repeal the law which banished him. certain). Marius was entirely defeated, and three
The comitia were accordingly summoned ; but be himself into the strongly-fortified town of Pre-
fore three or four tribes had voted, Marius became neste, where he had deposited the treasures of the
tired of the farce, threw off the mask, and entered Capitoline temple (Plin. H. N. xxxiii. 1. B. 5): Sulla
the city, surrounded by his body-guard, which he left Lucretius Opella to prosecute the siege while
had formed out of the slaves who had flocked to he hastened on to Rome. But Marius, resolving
him. The most frightful scenes followed. His that his enemies should not escape, sent orders to
guards stabbed every one whom he did not salute, L. Junius Brutus Damasippus, who was then
and the streets ran with the blood of the noblest of praetor at Rome, to summon the senate under some
the Roman aristocracy. Every one whom Marius pretext, and put to death Mucius Scaevola, the
hated or feared was hunted out and put to death ; pontifex maximus, and many others. (BRUTUS, No.
and no consideration either of rank, talent, or 19. ] Various efforts were made to relieve Praeneste,
former friendship induced him to spare the victims but they all failed; and after Sulla's great victory
of his vengeance. The great orator M. Antonius at the Colline gate of Rome, in which Pontius
fell by the hands of his assassins ; and his former Telesinus was defeated and slain, Marius despaired
colleague Q. Catulus, who had triumphed with him of holding out any longer, and, in company with
over the Cimbri, was obliged to put an end to his the brother of Telesinus, attempted to escape by a
own life. Cinna was soon tired of the butchery ; subterraneous passage, which led from the town into
but the appetite of Marius seemed only whetted the open country ; but finding that their flight was
by the slaughter, and daily required fresh victims discovered, they put an end to one another's lives.
for its gratification. Without going through the According to other accounts, Marius killed himself,
form of an election, Marius and Cinna named or was killed by his slave at his own request.
themselves consuls for the following year (B. C. 86), Marius perished in the year of his consulship.
and thus was fulfilled the prediction that Marius His head was cut off and carried to Sulla, who
should be seven times consul. But he did not long contemptuously remarked, in allusion to his youth,
enjoy the honour: he was now in his seventy-first that he ought to have worked at the oar before
year'; his body was quite worn out by the fatigues steering the vessel. It was after the death of the
and sufferings he had recently undergone; and on younger Marius that Sulla first assumed the sur-
the eighteenth day of his consulship he died of an name of Felix. (Plut. Sull. 28–32, Mar. 46 ;
attack of pleurisy, after seven days’ illness. Ac- Appian, B. C. i. 87-94 ; Liv. Epit
. 86—88;
cording to Plutarch, his last illness was brought on Vell. Pat. ii. 26, 27; Flor. ii. 21 ; Oros. v. 20;
by dread of Sulla's return, and he is said to have Val. Max. vi. 8. $ 2. )
been troubled with terrific dreams; but these state 3. C. or M. MARIUS, whom Appian calls the
ments are probably derived from the Memoirs of other (ětepos) C. Marius, was a relation of the
Sulla, and should be received with great caution. great Marius, and fled to Cinna, when the latter
The ashes of Marius were subsequently thrown was driven out of Rome by his colleague Octavius,
into the Anio by command of Sulla. (Plut. Life B. C. 87. (Appian, B. C. i. 65. ) As Appian calls
of Marius ; the passages of Cicero in Orelli's this C. Marius a senator, he is probably the same
Onomasticon Tullian. vol
. ii. pp. 384-386 ; Sall. as the M. Marius who settled some of the Celtiberi
Jug. 46, 63-65, 73–114 ; Appian, B. C. i. 29– in a town not far from Colenda, because they bad
31, 40–46, 55—74; Liv. Epit. 66—80 ; Vell. assisted him in a war against the Lusitanians.
Pat. ii. 9, 12—23; Flor. iii. 1, 3, 16, 21 ; Oros. v. This happened about the year B. C. 99, when
19. ) All the ancient authorities are collected by Marius was probably quaestor. (Appian, Hisp.
F. Weiland, C. Marii VII. Cos. Vit. , in the Pro- | 100. )
gramme of the Collége Royal Français, Berlin, 4. The False Marius, whose real name was
1845; and much useful information is given by Amatius, pretended to be a son or grandson of the
G. Long in the notes to his translation of Plutarch's great Marius. (AMATIUS. )
Life of Marius, London, 1844.
5. M. MARIUS, of Sidicinum, of whom A.
2. C. Marius, the son of the great Marius, was Gellius (x. 3) relates a striking tale, which shows
only an adopted son. (Liv. Epit. 86 ; Vell. Pat. the gross indignity with which the Roman magis-
ii. 26. ) Appian in one passage (B. C. i. 87) calls trates sometimes treated the most distinguished
him a nephew of the preceding, though he had men among the allies. This Marius, who is called
previously spoken of him as his son (B. C. i. 62). by Gellius suae civitatis nobilissimus homo, was a
He was born in B. C. 109; and the particulars of contemporary of C. Gracchus. It has been con-
his life down to the time of his father's death arejectured that he may have been the father or a
related in the preceding article. During the three near connection of Marius Egnatius, one of the
years after the death of the elder Marius Sulla was principal leaders of the allies in the Social war.
engaged in the prosecution of the war against [Egnatius, No. 2. )
Mithridates, and Italy was entirely in the hands 6. M. MARIUS, a friend of Cicero, whose
of the Marian party. The young Marius followed estate was in the neighbourhood of one of Cicero's,
in the footsteps of his father, and was equally dis- and with whom he was closely united by similarity
tinguished by merciless severity against his enemies. of political opinions and intellectual tastes and
He was elected consul for the year B. c. 82, when habits. Although Marius constantly suffered from
he was twenty-seven years of age, and his colleague ill health, he was of a lively and cheerful dis-
was Cn. Papirius Carbo. Sulla had landed at Brun- position, full of wit and merriment ; and accord-
disium at the beginning of the preceding year, and ingly, Cicero's four letters to him, which have come
arter conquering the southern part of the peninsula, | down to us (ad Fam. vii. 1-4), are writtep in a
## p. 960 (#976) ############################################
960
MARIUS.
MAROBODUUS.
IV
00. 00
GMA
19E20
gy)
dine
Cocco
sportive tone. The estate of Marius was in the be developed within the space of forty-eight hours.
neighbourhood of Pompeii, not far from the Pom- (Trebell. Poll. Trig. Tyrann. vii. ; Victor, de Caes.
peianum of Cicero. Almost all that we know xxxiii. 39; Eutrop. ix. 7. )
about this Marius is contained in the four letters It appears from coins that the full name of this
of Cicero already referred to. He is also mentioned usurper was C. M. Aurelius Marius ; but on some
by him in a letter to his brother Quintus. (Ad Q. coins, as on the one annered, he is called simply
Fr. ii. 10. )
C. Marius. (Eckhel, vol. vii. p. 454. ) [W. R. )
7. L. MARIUS, L. P. , was one of those who sub-
scribed the accusation of Triarius against Scaurus,
in B. c. 54 (Ascon. in Cic. Scaur. p. 19, ed. Orelli).
He is probably the same as the Marius who was
quaestor in B. C. 50, and succeeded C. Sallustius in
the government of the province of Syria. (Cic.
ad Fam. ii. 17. )
8. L.
commanded by the consul Cn. Mallius Maximus Tridentum (Trent). The Teutones and Ambrones
and the proconsul Cn. Servilius Caepio, consisting on the other hand marched against Marius, intend-
of 80,000 men, were completely annihilated by the ing, as it seems, to penetrate into Italy by Nice
barbarians: only two men are said to have escaped and the Riviera of Genoa. Marius, anxious to
the slaughter. (Caepio, No. 7. )
accustom his soldiers to the savage and strange ap-
These repeated disasters hushed all party quar- pearance of the barbarians, would not give them
rels. Every one at Rome felt that Marius was the battle at first. The latter accordingly resolved to
only man capable of saving the state, and he was attack the Roman camp; but as they were re-
accordingly elected consul by the unanimous votes pulsed in this attempt, they broke up their en-
of all parties, wbile he was still absent in Africa campment, and pressed on at once for Italy. So
He entered Rome in triumph on the 1st of January, great were their numbers, that they are said to
B. c. 104, which was also the first day of his second have been six days in marching by the Roman
consulship, leading Jugurtha in chains in the pro camp. As soon as they had advanced a little way,
cession. On this day he gave a striking instance Marius also quitted his station and followed them;
of his arrogance, by entering the senate-house in and thus the armies continued to march for a few
his triumphal robes. Meanwhile, the threatened days, the barbarians in the front and Marius be-
danger was for a while averted. Instead of cross- hind, till they came to the neighbourhood of Aquae
ing the Alps, and pouring down upon Italy, as had Sextiae (Aix). Here the decisive battle was
been expected, the Cimbri marched into Spain, fought. Marius had pitched his camp in a spot
which they ravaged for the next two or three which was badly supplied with water, and is said
years. This interval was advantageously employed to have done so intentionally. The necessity which
by Marius in training the new troops, and accus the Roman soldiers were under of obtaining their
toming them to bardships and toil. It was pro- water in the neighbourhood of the barbarians' camp,
bably during this time that he introduced the led to a fierce skirmish between the two armies ;
various changes into the organization of the Roman and this was followed, after the lapse of two or
army, which are usually attributed to him. Not- three days, by a general engagement. The battle
withstanding the stemness and severity with which was fiercely contested ; but an ambush of 3000
he punished the least breach of discipline, he gra- soldiers, which Marius had stationed under the
dually became a great favourite with his new command of Claudius Marcellus, in the rear of the
troops, who learnt to place implicit confidence in barbarians, and which fell upon them when they
their general, and were especially delighted with were already retreating before Marius, decided
the strict impartiality with which he visited the the fortune of the day. Attacked both in front
offences of the officers as well as of the privates. and rear, and also dreadfully exhausted by the
As the enemy still continued in Spain, Marius excessive heat of the weather, they at length
was elected consul a third time for the year B. C. broke their ranks and fled. The carnage was
103 ; but since they did not make their appearance dreadful ; some writers speak of 200,000 slain,
even during the latter year, the Romans began to and 80,000 taken prisoners (Liv. Epit. 68 ; Oros.
recover a little from their panic, and several candi- v. 16); others state the number of the slain at
dates of distinction offered themselves for the 150,000 (Vell. Pat. ii. 12); while another state-
consulship. Under these circumstances Marius ment reduces the number to 100,000 (Plut. Mar.
repaired to Rome, where he gained over L. Satur- 21); but whatever may bave been the number that
ninus, the most popular of the tribunes, who per- fell, the whole nation was annihilated, for those
suaded the people to confer the consulship upon who escaped put an end to their lives, and their
Marius again, who was accordingly elected for the wives followed their example. Immediately after
fourth time (8. c. 102), although, to save appear- | the battle, as Marius was in the act of setting fire
## p. 956 (#972) ############################################
956
MARIUS.
MARIUS.
which Marias
state was still
popularity and
Erected in the
the surrender
infamed with
down by iorce
least him ; 2:
come to openi
broken dat je
required at
Rome possess
Sula were ac
Manus show
112111et in a
war, Fet be
too slow; an
the shade by
Seila Marii
Eis body had
F4 incapa
active servia
consul P. Rt
failen in ba
command of
Upon Mario
saccess retro
band, and
to the vast heap of broken arms which had been gain the tribunate, did not hesitate to assassinato
collected together, and which was intended as an A. Nonius, because he was a rival candidate.
offering to the gods, horsemen rode up to him, and Marius in his sixth consulship (B. C. 100) was
greeted him with the news of his being elected guilty of an act of the deepest perfidy, in order to
consul for the fifth time.
ruin his old enemy Metellus. Saturninus had pro
The Cimbri, in the mean time, had forced their posed an agrarian law (SATURNINUS), and had
way into Italy. The colleague of Marius, Q. Lu- added to it the clause, that if the people passed the
tatius Catulus, despairing of defending the passes law, the senate should swear obedience to it
of the Tyrol, had taken up a strong position on the within five days, and whoever refused to do so
Athesis (Adige); but in consequence of the terror should be expelled from the senate, and pay a fine
of his soldiers at the approach of the barbarians, he of twenty talents. In order to entrap Metellus,
was obliged to retreat even beyond the Po, thus Marius got up in his place in the sennie, and de-
leaving the whole of the rich plain of Lombardy clared that he would never take the oath, and
exposed to the ravages of the barbarians. Marius Metellus made the saine declaration ; but when the
was thereupon recalled to Rome. The senate tribune summoned the senators to the rostra to
offered him a triumph for his victory over the comply with the demand of the law, Marius, to the
Teutones, which he declined while the Cimbri were astonishment of all, inmediately took the oath, and
in Italy, and proceeded to join Catulus, who now advised the senate to follow his example. Metellus
commanded as proconsul, B. c. 101. The army of alone refused compliince, and was in consequence
Marius had also marched into Italy, and with banished from the city. The next act of Marius
their united forces Marius and Catulus hastened in was one of equal treachery. He had availed him-
search of the enemy. They came up with them self of the services of Situminus to gain the con-
near Vercellae (Vercelli), westward of Milan, and sulship and ruin Metellus, and had supported him
the decisive battle was fought on the 30th of July, in all his violent and unconstitutional proceedings;
in a plain called the Raudii Campi, the exact posi- but when he found that Saturninus had gone too
tion of which is uncertain, but which must have far, and had excited a storm of universal indig-
been in the neighbourhood of Vercellae. The nation and hatred, Marius deserted his companion
Cimbri met with the same fate as the Teutones ; in guilt ; and being applied to by the senate to
the slain are again spoken of as between one and crush Saturninus and his crew, he complied with
two hundred thousand ; and the women, like those the request. Invested by the senate with absolute
of the Teutones, put an end to their lives. The power, by the well-known decree, Videret, nequid
Tigurini, who had been stationed at the passes of res publica detrimenti caperet, he collected an armed
the Tyrolese Alps, took to flight and dispersed, as force, and laid siege to the capitol, where Satur-
soon as they heard of the destruction of their ninus, Glaucia, and their confederates, had taken
brethren in arms. The details of this battle are refuge. Marius cut off the pipes which supplied
given elsewhere (Catulus, No. 3), where it is the capitol with water, and obliged the conspirators
shown that there are strong reasons for doubting to surrender at discretion ; and though he made
the account of Plutarch, which assigns the glory of some efforts to save their lives, they were put to
this victory to Catulus. At Rome, at all events, death immediately they had descended into the
the whole credit was given to Marius ; he was forum. By the share which he had taken in this
hailed as the saviour of the state ; his name was transaction, Marius lost the favour of a great part,
coupled with the gods in the libations and at ban- of the people, without gaining that of the senate ;
quets, and he received the title of third founder of and, accordingly, when the time for the election of
Rome. He celebrated his victories by the most the censors came, he did not venture to offer him-
brilliant triumph, in which Catulus, however, was self as a candidate, but allowed persons of far in-
allowed to share.
ferior pretensions to gain this dignity, to which his
Hitherto the career of Marius had been a glorious rank and position in the state would seem to have
one, and it would have been fortunate for him, as entitled him.
Niebubr has remarked, if he had died on the day The sixth consulship of Marius ended in disgrace
of his triumph. The remainder of his life is full and shame. In the following year (B. c. 99) he
of borrors, and brings out into prominent relief the left Rome, in order that he might not witness the
worst features of his character. As the time for return of Metellus from exile, a measure which he
the consular elections approached, Marius was eager had been unable to prevent, and set sail for Cap-
to obtain this dignity for the sixth time, and was padocia and Galatia, under the pretence of offering
therefore obliged, contrary to his inclination and sacrifices which he had vowed to the Great Mother.
character, to play the part of a popular man, and to He had however a deeper purpose in visiting these
court the favour of the electors. He wished to be countries. Finding that he was losing his influence
first in peace as well as in war, and to rule the and popularity while the republic was in a state of
state as well as the army. But he did not possess peace, he was anxious to recover his lost ground by
the qualities requisite for a popular leader at Rome ; gaining fresh victories in war, and accordingly re-
he had no power of oratory, and lost his presence paired to the court of Mithridates, in hopes of
of mind in the noise and shouts of the popular rousing him to make war upon the Romans.
assemblies. In order to secure his election, he was during his absence that he was elected augur.
entered into close connection with two of the worst Marius on his return to Rome built a house
demagogues that ever appeared at Rome, Satur- near the forum, that the people might not have to
ninus and Glaucia, the former of whom was a can- come so far to pay their respects to him ; but all
didate for the tribunate, and the latter for the prae- his efforts were vain to regain his lost popularity ;
· torship, and by their means, as well as by bribing and the hopes he had entertained of obtaining the
the tribes, he secured his election to the consulship command of the war in Asia were also frustrated by
for the sixth time. Saturninus and Glaucia also the ability with which Sulla repressed all disturb-
carried their elections ; and the former, in order to , ances in the East in B. c. 92. The disappointment
bis weaknes
toils of the
been most is
warlike and
An anecdo
conduet of
of the veter
trenched bi
the stratage
estice him
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voured to do
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dow and
“Nay, do
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obtain the c
and as he
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and
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bans and le
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senate rare
Mithridates.
desperate
2
## p. 957 (#973) ############################################
MARIUS.
957
MARIUS.
;
:
which Marius felt at losing his influence in the portunity for distinction, and obtain it for himself.
state was still further exasperated by the growing He got the tribune, P. Sulpicius Rufus, to bring
popularity and power of Sulla ; and when Bocchus forward a law for distributing the Italian allies,
erected in the capitol gilded figures, representing who had just obtained the Roman franchise, among
the surrender of jugurtha to Sulla, Marius was so all the tribes ; and as they greatly exceeded
inflamed with rage, that he resolved to pull them the old citizens in number, they would of course
down by force. Sulla was making preparations to be able to carry whatever they pleased in the co-
resist him ; and both parties would probably have mitia. If this law were passed, they would of
come to open violence, had not the Social War course, out of gratitude to Marius, annul the re-
broken out just at that time (B. C. 90). This war solution of the senate, and give the command of
required all the services of all the generals that the Mithridatic war to their benefactor. This law
Rome possessed, and, accordingly, both Marius and met with the most vehement opposition from the
Sulla were actively employed in it. But although old citizens; and the consuls, to prevent it from
Marius showed great military abilities in the being carried, declared a justitium, during which
manner in which he conducted his share of the no business could be legally transacted. But Ma-
war, yet he was considered to be over cautious and rius and Sulpicius were resolved to have recourse
too slow; and his achievements were thrown into to the last extremities sooner than lose their point.
the shade by the superior energy and activity of They entered the forum with an armed force, and
Sulla. Marius was now in bis sixty-seventh year: called upon the consuls to withdraw the justitium:
his body had grown stout and unwieldy, and he in the tumult which followed the young son of
was incapable of enduring the fatigue of very Pompeius, the colleague of Sulla, was murdered,
active service. He served as the legate of the and Sulla himself only escaped by taking refuge in
consul P. Rutilius Lupus; and after the latter had the house of Marius, which was close to the forum.
fallen in battle [Lupus, RUTILIUS), the chief To save their lives the consuls were obliged to
command of the northern scene of the war devolved withdraw the justitium : the law of Sulpicius was
upon Marius.
He defeated the Marsi in two carried ; and the tribes, in which the new citizens
successive battles, after which he gave up the com- now had the majority, appointed Marius to the
mand, and returned to Rome, on the ground that command of the war against Mithridates.
his weakness rendered him unable to endure the Marius had now gained the great object of his
toils of the campaign. His services, however, had ambition ; but it was hardly to be expected that a
been most important, for he had defeated the most power which had been violently obtained should
warlike and the most dangerous of all the allies. be peacefully surrendered. The army destined for
An anecdote preserved by Plutarch respecting the the Mithridatic war was stationed at Nola, and
conduct of Marius in this campaign is characteristic thither Marius sent two military tribunes, to take
of the veteran general. Marius had strongly in the command of the troops and bring them to him.
trenched himself in a fortified camp, and neither But Sulla, who had previously joined the army,
the stratagems nor the taunts of the enemy could encouraged the soldiers to disobey the orders: they
entice him from his favourable position. At length murdered the tribunes whom Marius had sent";
Pompaedius Silo, the leader of the Marsi, endea- and when Sulla declared his intention of marching
voured to draw him out by appealing to his military to the city, and of putting down force by force,
pride. “If you are a great general, Marius, come they readily responded to his call. Marius had not
down and fight;" to which the veteran replied, expected this daring step, and was not prepared to
“Nay, do you, if you are a great general, coinpel meet it. Sulla was marching at the head of six
me to fight against my will. "
legions; and in order to obtain troops to oppose
In B. C. 88 the ambition of Marius at length in the latter, Marius attempted to raise a force by the
volved Rome in a civil war, which was attended abominable expedient of offering freedom to all
with the most frightful horrors. Insatiably fond slaves who would join him. But it was all in vain.
and distinction, Marius was anxious to Sulla entered the city without much difficulty, and
obtain the command of the war against Mithridates; Marius, with his son and a few companions, were
and as he was supposed to be incapable of enduring obliged to take to flight. Sulla used his victory
the fatigues of a campaign, he actually went daily with comparative moderation. Marius, Sulpicius,
to the Campus Martius, to go through the usual and a few others, were declared enemies of the
exercises with the young men. It was a melan- state, and condemned to death ; their property was
choly sight to see the old man so lost to all true confiscated, and a price set upon their heads; but no
dignity and greatness ; and the wiser part, says attempt was made against the lives of any others.
Plutarch,“ lamented to witness his greediness after Marius and his son left Rome together, but after-
gain and distinction ; and they pitied a man, who, wards separated, and the latter escaped in safety to
having risen from poverty to enormous wealth, and Africa. Marius with his stepson Granius em-
to the highest station from a low degree, knew not barked on board ship at Ostia, and thence sailed
when to put bounds to his good fortune, and was southward along the coast of Italy, exposed to the
not satisfied with being an object of admiration, greatest dangers, and enduring the greatest hard-
and quietly enjoying wbat he had; but as if he was ships. At Circeii Marius and his companions
in want of every thing, after his triumphs and his were obliged to land, on account of the violence of
honours was setting out to Cappadocia and the the wind and the want of provisions ; but they
Euxine to oppose himself in his old age to Arche could obtain nothing to eat, and after wandering
laus and Neoptolemus, the satraps of Mithridates. " | about for a long time, they learnt from some pea-
But all his efforts were in vain : his great enemy sants that a number of horsemen had been in search
Sulla obtained the consulship (B. C. 88), and the of them, and they accordingly turned aside from
senate guve him the command of the war against the road, and passed the night in a deep wood in
Mithridates. Thereupon Marius resolved to make great suffering and want. But the indomitable
2 desperate attempt to deprive his rival of this op- spirit of the old man did not fail him; and he
of power
## p. 958 (#974) ############################################
959
MARIUS.
MARIUS.
came to be
Owerred si
as an etue
wished for
comitia and
The cotitia
fore three of
tired of the
the city, ser
had forized
bim. The
guards stabb
and the stree
the Roman
hated or fear
and no con
former inend
a
of his renget
fell by the ba
colleague Q.
crer the Cin
own life. Ci
consoled himself and encouraged his companions by of the Roman people. This last blow almost un-
the assurance that he should still live to see his manned Marius ; grief and indignation for a time
berenth consulship, in accordance with a prediction deprived him of utterance ; and at last his only
that had been made to him in his youth: he told reply was, “Tell the praetor that you have č.
them that when a child an eagle's nest with seven Marius a fugitive sitting on the ruins of Carthage. "
young ones had fallen into his lap, and that the Meanwhile, the younger Marius, who had been to
soothsayers had informed his parents that the pro Numidia to implore the assistance of Hiempsal,
digy intimated that he should obtain the supreme had been detained by the Numidian king, but had
command and magistracy seven times. Marius escaped by the assistance of one of the concubines
and his friends wandered on to Minturnae, and of Hiempsal, who had fallen in love with him, and
when they were within two miles from the city, joined his father just at this time. They forth with
they saw a party of horsemen galloping towards got on board a small fishing-boat, and crossed over
them. In great haste they hurried down to the to the island of Cercina, as some Numidian horse-
sen, and swam off to two merchant vessels, which men were riding up to apprehend them.
received them on board. The horsemen bade the During this time a revolution had taken place at
Bailors bring the ship to land, or throw Marius Rome, which prepared the way for the return of
overboard ; but moved by the tears and entreaties Marius to Italy. The consuls for the year B. C.
of the old man, they refused to comply with the 87 were Cn. Octavius and L. Cornelius Cinna, of
request. As soon, however, as the horsemen had whom the former belonged to the aristocratical and
ridden off, the sailors, fearing to keep Marius, the latter to the Marian party. Sulla, however,
and yet not choosing to betray him, landed him at had made Cinna swear that he would not attempt
the mouth of the river Liris, and immediately to make any alteration in the state ; but as soon as
sailed away. Marius was now quite alone amid the former had left Italy to prosecute the war
the swamps and marshes through which the Liris against Mithridates, Cinna, paying no regard to
flows, and with difficulty waded through them to the oaths he had taken, brought forward again the
the hut of an old man, who concealed him in a hole law of Sulpicius for incorporating the new Italian
near the river, and covered him with reeds. But citizens among the thirty-five tribes. The two
hearing shortly afterwards the noise of his pursuers consuls had recourse to arms, Octavius to oppose
in the hut of the old man, he crept out of his and Cinna to carry the law. A dreadful conflict
hiding-place, stript off his clothes, and threw him- took place in the forum ; the party of Octavius
self into the thick and unuddy water of the marsh. obtained the victory, and Cinna was driven out of
Here he was discovered, dragged out of the water, the city with great slaughter. The senate forth-
and covered with mud, and with a rope round his with passed a decree, declaring that Cinna had
neck was delivered up to the authorities of Min- forfeited his citizenship and consulship, and ap-
turnae. They placed him for security in the house pointing L. Comelius Merula consul in his stead.
of a woman named Fannia, who was supposed to But Cinna would not relinquish his power without
be a personal enemy of his [FANNIA), and then another struggle ; and by means of the new citi-
deliberated whether they should comply with the zens, whose cause he espoused, he was soon at the
instruction that had been sent from Rome to all head of a formidable army. As soon as Marius
the municipal towns, to put Marius to death as soon heard of these changes he set sail from Africa, landed
as they found him. After some consultation they at Telamo in Etruria, and proclaiming freedom to
resolved to obey it, but at first they could find no the slaves began to collect a large force. He sent
one to carry it into execution. At length a Gallic or to Cinna, offering to obey him as consul. Cinna
Cimbrian horse-soldier undertook the horrible duty, accepted his proposal, and named Marius pro-
and with a drawn sword in his hand entered the consul, but Marius would not accept the title nor
apartment where Marius was confined. The part the insignia of office, observing that such marks of
of the room in which Marius lay was in the shade; honour were not suited to his condition and for-
and to the frightened barbarian the eyes of Marius tune. The sufferings and privations he had en-
seemed to dart out fire, and from the darkness a dured had exasperated his proud and haughty
terrible voice shouted out, “ Man, dost thou dare spirit almost to madness, and nothing but the blood
to murder C. Marius ? ” The barbarian immedi- of his enemies could appease his resentment The
a
but the app
by the slaugos
for its gratis
form of an
themselves et
and thus was
should be sere
enjoy the bon
Fear; his bod
and sufferings
the eigtteenth
attack of plet
cording to Plu
by dread of s
been troubled
ents are pri
Sulls, and she
The asbes of
into the Anio
of Marius;
Onomasticon 7
Jug. 46,63
31, 40446,
Patē 9, 12-
19. 1 All the
P. Weiland, C.
ramme of th
1845; and m
G. Long in the
Life of Marius
2. C. MARI
only an adopte
Cermina
house, exclaiming, “I cannot kill C. Marius. ” mingled respect and horror, as he went along: he
Straightway there was a revulsion of feeling among was clad in a mean and humble dress, and his hair
the inhabitants of Minturnae. They repented of and beard had not been cut from the day he had
their ungrateful conduct towards a man who had been driven out of Rome. After joining Cinna
saved Rome and Italy ; they got ready a ship for Marius proceeded to prosecute the war with great
his departure, provided him with every thing ne- vigour. He first captured the corn ships, and thus
cessary for the voyage, and with prayers and wishes cut off Rome from its usual supply of food. He
for his safety conducted him to the sea, and placed next took Ostia, and the other towns on the sea-
him on board. From Minturnae the wind carried coast, and moving down the Tiber, encamped on
him to the island of Aenaria (now Ischia), where the Janiculus. Famine began to rage in the city,
he found Granius and the rest of his friends ; and and the senate was obliged to yield. They sent
from thence he set sail for Africa, which he reached a deputation to Cinna and Marius, inviting them
in safety, after narrowly escaping death at Eryx in into the city, but entreating them to spare the
Sicily, where he was obliged to land to take in citizens. Cinna received the deputies sitting in
water. At Carthage Marius landed ; but he had his chair of office, and gave them a kind answer:
scarcely put his foot on shore before the Roman Marius stood by the consul's chair without speak-
governor Sextilius sent an officer to bid him leave ing, but his looks spoke louder than words.
After
the country, or else he would carry into execution the audience was over, they marched to the city :
the decree of the senate, and treat him as an enemy (Cinna entered it with his guards; but when Marius
ii 26. ) Appu
nephew
previously spola
He was born i
his life down
related in the
fears after the
engaged in the
Mithridates, an
of the Marian
in the footsteps
tinguished by m
He was elected
he was twenty-
was Cn. Papirio
dinum at the be
ater conquering
## p. 959 (#975) ############################################
MARIUS.
959
MARIUS.
;
came to the gates he affected to have scruples, and appears to have passed the winter in Campania
observed with contempt, that it was illegal for him Marius was stationed on the frontiers of Latium
as an exile to enter the city, and that if they to oppose him ; and the decisive battle was fought
wished for his presence, they must summon the near Sacri portus (the position of which is quite un-
comitia and repeal the law which banished him. certain). Marius was entirely defeated, and three
The comitia were accordingly summoned ; but be himself into the strongly-fortified town of Pre-
fore three or four tribes had voted, Marius became neste, where he had deposited the treasures of the
tired of the farce, threw off the mask, and entered Capitoline temple (Plin. H. N. xxxiii. 1. B. 5): Sulla
the city, surrounded by his body-guard, which he left Lucretius Opella to prosecute the siege while
had formed out of the slaves who had flocked to he hastened on to Rome. But Marius, resolving
him. The most frightful scenes followed. His that his enemies should not escape, sent orders to
guards stabbed every one whom he did not salute, L. Junius Brutus Damasippus, who was then
and the streets ran with the blood of the noblest of praetor at Rome, to summon the senate under some
the Roman aristocracy. Every one whom Marius pretext, and put to death Mucius Scaevola, the
hated or feared was hunted out and put to death ; pontifex maximus, and many others. (BRUTUS, No.
and no consideration either of rank, talent, or 19. ] Various efforts were made to relieve Praeneste,
former friendship induced him to spare the victims but they all failed; and after Sulla's great victory
of his vengeance. The great orator M. Antonius at the Colline gate of Rome, in which Pontius
fell by the hands of his assassins ; and his former Telesinus was defeated and slain, Marius despaired
colleague Q. Catulus, who had triumphed with him of holding out any longer, and, in company with
over the Cimbri, was obliged to put an end to his the brother of Telesinus, attempted to escape by a
own life. Cinna was soon tired of the butchery ; subterraneous passage, which led from the town into
but the appetite of Marius seemed only whetted the open country ; but finding that their flight was
by the slaughter, and daily required fresh victims discovered, they put an end to one another's lives.
for its gratification. Without going through the According to other accounts, Marius killed himself,
form of an election, Marius and Cinna named or was killed by his slave at his own request.
themselves consuls for the following year (B. C. 86), Marius perished in the year of his consulship.
and thus was fulfilled the prediction that Marius His head was cut off and carried to Sulla, who
should be seven times consul. But he did not long contemptuously remarked, in allusion to his youth,
enjoy the honour: he was now in his seventy-first that he ought to have worked at the oar before
year'; his body was quite worn out by the fatigues steering the vessel. It was after the death of the
and sufferings he had recently undergone; and on younger Marius that Sulla first assumed the sur-
the eighteenth day of his consulship he died of an name of Felix. (Plut. Sull. 28–32, Mar. 46 ;
attack of pleurisy, after seven days’ illness. Ac- Appian, B. C. i. 87-94 ; Liv. Epit
. 86—88;
cording to Plutarch, his last illness was brought on Vell. Pat. ii. 26, 27; Flor. ii. 21 ; Oros. v. 20;
by dread of Sulla's return, and he is said to have Val. Max. vi. 8. $ 2. )
been troubled with terrific dreams; but these state 3. C. or M. MARIUS, whom Appian calls the
ments are probably derived from the Memoirs of other (ětepos) C. Marius, was a relation of the
Sulla, and should be received with great caution. great Marius, and fled to Cinna, when the latter
The ashes of Marius were subsequently thrown was driven out of Rome by his colleague Octavius,
into the Anio by command of Sulla. (Plut. Life B. C. 87. (Appian, B. C. i. 65. ) As Appian calls
of Marius ; the passages of Cicero in Orelli's this C. Marius a senator, he is probably the same
Onomasticon Tullian. vol
. ii. pp. 384-386 ; Sall. as the M. Marius who settled some of the Celtiberi
Jug. 46, 63-65, 73–114 ; Appian, B. C. i. 29– in a town not far from Colenda, because they bad
31, 40–46, 55—74; Liv. Epit. 66—80 ; Vell. assisted him in a war against the Lusitanians.
Pat. ii. 9, 12—23; Flor. iii. 1, 3, 16, 21 ; Oros. v. This happened about the year B. C. 99, when
19. ) All the ancient authorities are collected by Marius was probably quaestor. (Appian, Hisp.
F. Weiland, C. Marii VII. Cos. Vit. , in the Pro- | 100. )
gramme of the Collége Royal Français, Berlin, 4. The False Marius, whose real name was
1845; and much useful information is given by Amatius, pretended to be a son or grandson of the
G. Long in the notes to his translation of Plutarch's great Marius. (AMATIUS. )
Life of Marius, London, 1844.
5. M. MARIUS, of Sidicinum, of whom A.
2. C. Marius, the son of the great Marius, was Gellius (x. 3) relates a striking tale, which shows
only an adopted son. (Liv. Epit. 86 ; Vell. Pat. the gross indignity with which the Roman magis-
ii. 26. ) Appian in one passage (B. C. i. 87) calls trates sometimes treated the most distinguished
him a nephew of the preceding, though he had men among the allies. This Marius, who is called
previously spoken of him as his son (B. C. i. 62). by Gellius suae civitatis nobilissimus homo, was a
He was born in B. C. 109; and the particulars of contemporary of C. Gracchus. It has been con-
his life down to the time of his father's death arejectured that he may have been the father or a
related in the preceding article. During the three near connection of Marius Egnatius, one of the
years after the death of the elder Marius Sulla was principal leaders of the allies in the Social war.
engaged in the prosecution of the war against [Egnatius, No. 2. )
Mithridates, and Italy was entirely in the hands 6. M. MARIUS, a friend of Cicero, whose
of the Marian party. The young Marius followed estate was in the neighbourhood of one of Cicero's,
in the footsteps of his father, and was equally dis- and with whom he was closely united by similarity
tinguished by merciless severity against his enemies. of political opinions and intellectual tastes and
He was elected consul for the year B. c. 82, when habits. Although Marius constantly suffered from
he was twenty-seven years of age, and his colleague ill health, he was of a lively and cheerful dis-
was Cn. Papirius Carbo. Sulla had landed at Brun- position, full of wit and merriment ; and accord-
disium at the beginning of the preceding year, and ingly, Cicero's four letters to him, which have come
arter conquering the southern part of the peninsula, | down to us (ad Fam. vii. 1-4), are writtep in a
## p. 960 (#976) ############################################
960
MARIUS.
MAROBODUUS.
IV
00. 00
GMA
19E20
gy)
dine
Cocco
sportive tone. The estate of Marius was in the be developed within the space of forty-eight hours.
neighbourhood of Pompeii, not far from the Pom- (Trebell. Poll. Trig. Tyrann. vii. ; Victor, de Caes.
peianum of Cicero. Almost all that we know xxxiii. 39; Eutrop. ix. 7. )
about this Marius is contained in the four letters It appears from coins that the full name of this
of Cicero already referred to. He is also mentioned usurper was C. M. Aurelius Marius ; but on some
by him in a letter to his brother Quintus. (Ad Q. coins, as on the one annered, he is called simply
Fr. ii. 10. )
C. Marius. (Eckhel, vol. vii. p. 454. ) [W. R. )
7. L. MARIUS, L. P. , was one of those who sub-
scribed the accusation of Triarius against Scaurus,
in B. c. 54 (Ascon. in Cic. Scaur. p. 19, ed. Orelli).
He is probably the same as the Marius who was
quaestor in B. C. 50, and succeeded C. Sallustius in
the government of the province of Syria. (Cic.
ad Fam. ii. 17. )
8. L.
