What Role Does Marius Serve In The Roman Military

In order to serve in the Roman military the individual had to be a citizen and must be a land owner, they viewed serving as a civil duty, responsibility, and a privilege. Serious recruitment issues arose as Rome grew beyond Italy and had a need for a standing army. Marius saw the need for reform and established a professional army instead of maintaining a militia, this would contribute greatly to Rome and its future military exploits. Marius’ reform of allowing landless citizens into the military led to the decline of the Roman army and the Republic. Marius served in the military and was an excellent soldier, the opportunity arose for Marius to run for consulship in 107 BC at which time he secured the position. The war with Jugurtha was ongoing and placed a heavy demand on recruiting, “he himself in the meantime enrolled soldiers, not according to the classes in the manner of our forefathers, but allowing anyone to volunteer, for the most part of the proletariat.” The Senate did not approve of Marius’ recruitment tactics, but he had the support of the plebs and their tribunes, which made him untouchable by the Senate. Marius …show more content…
By allowing non-land owners to join the ranks of the military it changed the motivation with which man would serve, before this reform man would serve for loyalty and duty to the Republic now they were serving as a mercenary force for the generals and commanders that could deliver the most land and spoil. This new form of soldier “was eager for war because it promised much plunder, and they feared Marius would enlist other soldiers instead of themselves.” The need for capite censi was out of necessity due to recruitment problems, this new tactic of filling the soldier ranks also created the emergence of the greedy, lawless soldier that would not serve with honor, but instead serve to benefit