General Marius and His Reforms: A New Look

Since Roman soldiers could no longer be counted on to be somewhat well-to-do, or capable of bringing their own equipment, Marius had the Roman state subsidize the cost (1). There were several specific changes to equipment (mostly to due with the sort of weapons the Romans carried, such as the pilum) but the main focus of this change was to standardize the Roman army. No more lines of infantry separated by varying qualities of equipment or experience. The Roman army standardized: cohorts of heavy infantry, identically equipped, made up the core and backbone of the army (1).

(In all its glory.)

The changes to equipment added to the image of the Roman army as a highly trained, highly flexible fighting force. The nickname "Marius' Mules" is something anyone studying the Roman army will have come across, and the term generally refers to the sheer amount of equipment these legionaries had to carry (1). Tents, provisions, personal arms. These new soldiers were the best equipped soldiers in the Mediterranean and possibly the world, completely outfitted and prepared for extensive campaigns away from home.

The army was reorganized, again specifically away from age or gear required hierarchies. The Roman legion was divided into Cohorts, 10 per legion, each containing roughly 480 legionaries (1). The role of cavalry and light skirmishing infantry was given over to the auxiliary forces, soldiers made up of "allied troops and native soldiers" (1).
(A visualization of the newly organized Legion)

The finished product was the army we now associate with Romans, the army that conquered the world.

Final Thoughts

Looking at the reformed Roman army, it is amazing to me how significant the overhaul was. From a military point of view, it transformed an already effective fighting force into virtual killing machine. Marius' vision was clearly based from his time fighting in Numidia, where the Roman campaign was often hindered by certain weaknesses I outlined in earlier posts. It is fascinating to see each of these addressed, and the army sculpted from an instrument of defense into a precise tool quite clearly crafted for long campaigns away from home.

From a social perspective, the consequences are interesting. I have no idea how much Marius intended, and how much simply happened. The removal of the landowning requirement was a brilliant idea, both serving to fill the army and bring him popularity with landowners who no longer were required to go to war abroad. Long term, and my sources are heavy on this, it is clear that the reform led to much of the trouble we find later in Roman history. In later times, we find Roman armies loyal to their general as opposed to the state, dependent on them for land, booty, sustenance, direction.

In all, this was a huge shift not just for the army, but Roman society in general. It saw the rise of the professional fighting force, and with it the power and prominence of its generals. Certainly, a magnificent feat made all the more intriguing by its far-reaching consequences.

(We finish on a high note, with Caesar leading his legions to glorious victory!)