Blurred Lines6.7 | Roman Tyrants

War with Numidia (112-104 B.C.)

Numidia would be led by Jugurtha He would outmaneuver Roman armies for several years

Consul after consul would be sent to finish the job, with no luck

Gaius Marius

175 – 87 B.C.

An Unlikely Hero

Gaius Marius Was not of noble birth Worked his way up through the military

The people in Rome were upset with the Senate v. Jugurtha Marius elected consul in 108 B.C.

Jugurtha defeated in 106 B.C. Marius (a pleb) made the senate (patricians) look stupid He would be elected consul again

Then again, for a total of 7 times (unprecedented)

Gaius Marius Reforms the Army

He drops the census as a requirement for recruitment He would hire the landless masses of Rome into the army The state would supply them with a salary and equipment Standardization of the Roman military

It became a professional career The Marian Reforms created a standing army in Rome

This, in turn, created permanent leadership requirements

The Roman Legionc. 4800 men

Marius and “His” Army

During election times, Marius would disarm his army and bring them into Rome

They would “convince” others to vote for Marius No wonder he was consul 7 times

The Social War (91-87 B.C.)

Latin socii – meaning allies This war was fought for Roman citizenship

The Italian allies wanted equal status with Rome Tired of waiting

Long and bloody, but Rome would prevail (Sulla) Would grant all Italians citizenship

While this makes people happy, it dilutes the value of Roman citizenship

Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix

138 – 78 B.C.

"No friend ever served me, and no enemy ever wronged me, whom I have not repaid in full"

Marius?

Jugurtha

Sketchy

The Mithridatic Wars 88-63 BC

Mithridates IV Eupator of Pontus A Greek

Fed on the rage felt by Greeks in Asia Minor Asia Minor revolts against Rome (story of tax collectors) Mithridates successful initially

Herakles

Sulla

Fresh from success in the Social war Was given command against Mithridates

This upsets Marius Who felt he should have this honor (Sulla a patrician)

Sulla invades Greece first Devastates the land (Plato’s academy; loot of Delphi)

Marius Gets MadSulla is stealing his spotlight

The Two Egos Fight Marius

Convinces the senate to “change their mind” Sulla

Gets mad Returns to Rome And sacks the city in 88 B.C.

Marius Flees to gather his army

Sulla Has the senate “change their mind” Goes back to continue war with Mithridates

Marius Returns to Rome Elected consul again (7) Dies of old age (86 B.C.)

Sulla Becomes Dictator

Sulla defeats Mithridates and returns home By now, the senate had outlawed him

The senate had raised a massive army to resist Sulla Sulla defeats the army and has the senate declare him

dictator (81 B.C.) Then again, every six months, for life

The senate is becoming powerless against powerful individuals