Marius

Jugurthine War

• War in Numidia since 111
  • Jugurtha seizes throne despite senatorial orders
  • Thought to have bribed important senators
  • First commanders not successful
  • Q. Caecilius Metellus cos. 109 prosecutes war carefully

Marius

• Marius elected consul for 107
  • Claims Metellus was ineffective
  • "New man"
  • Friendly tribune has command in Numidia transfered to hiim
• Troops chosen without regard for census
  • Old system of conscription from small holders abandoned
  • Poor soldiers seek rewards after campaign from general
  • Loyal to him rather than to "republic"
• Marius wages war like Metellus
  • Jugurtha captured in 105

Germans

• Cimbri and Teutoni move from Balkans to Gaul
  • S. Gaul made province ca. 120
• Defeat several Roman armies
  • More apparent incompetence on part of nobles
• Massive defeat suffered by Romans at Arausio in 105
  • Noble proconsul refuses to cooperate with "new man" consul
• Victorious general Marius elected consul 104-100
• Marius decisively defeats Cimbri, Teutoni in 102, 101

L. Appuleius Saturninus

• Tr. pl. 100
• Uses violence to pass laws for Marius' troops
• Uses violence during consular elections for 99
  • One candidate murdered to get friend of Saturninus elected
• Suppressed by Marius
  • "Final decree" now legitimized