DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.69603#0261
MARIUS.
DROUAIS.
Caius Marius was born of an obscure family, in
the territory of Arpinum. In his youth he followed
agriculture; but the desire of rendering himself distin-
guished, made him embrace the profession of arms. It
is asserted, that Scipio Africanus, under whom he at
first served, discovered his talents, and predicted his
future elevation. Marius advanced in regular gradation
to the consulate. The defeat of Jtfgurtha, King of Nu-
midia, was his first exploit. A little time after, an im-
mense horde of northern warriors, known by the names
of Ambrones and Teutones, overran Gau], and threat-
ened Italy. Seconded by his colleague, Catulus, Marius
repulsed these barbarians on the plains of Provence.
The following year, he destroyed an army of Cimbrians,
that advanced to avenge the slaughter of the Teutones.
The senate, perceiving the ascendancy thatMarius assumed
over the public mind, opposed to him Sylla, who was of
the Equestrian order, and his most formidable adversary.
Sylla, at the head of those troops, who, under his com-
mand, had conquered Mithridates, possessed himself of
the city of Rome, and of the supreme power. Marius,
compelled to yield to his superiority, concealed himself
in the marshes of Minturnae, in Campania. Being dis-
covered in his retreat, and thrown into prison, his digni-
fied demeanour so much imposed on a Cimbrian captive,
sent to destroy him, that he ran away, exclaiming—“ I
DROUAIS.
Caius Marius was born of an obscure family, in
the territory of Arpinum. In his youth he followed
agriculture; but the desire of rendering himself distin-
guished, made him embrace the profession of arms. It
is asserted, that Scipio Africanus, under whom he at
first served, discovered his talents, and predicted his
future elevation. Marius advanced in regular gradation
to the consulate. The defeat of Jtfgurtha, King of Nu-
midia, was his first exploit. A little time after, an im-
mense horde of northern warriors, known by the names
of Ambrones and Teutones, overran Gau], and threat-
ened Italy. Seconded by his colleague, Catulus, Marius
repulsed these barbarians on the plains of Provence.
The following year, he destroyed an army of Cimbrians,
that advanced to avenge the slaughter of the Teutones.
The senate, perceiving the ascendancy thatMarius assumed
over the public mind, opposed to him Sylla, who was of
the Equestrian order, and his most formidable adversary.
Sylla, at the head of those troops, who, under his com-
mand, had conquered Mithridates, possessed himself of
the city of Rome, and of the supreme power. Marius,
compelled to yield to his superiority, concealed himself
in the marshes of Minturnae, in Campania. Being dis-
covered in his retreat, and thrown into prison, his digni-
fied demeanour so much imposed on a Cimbrian captive,
sent to destroy him, that he ran away, exclaiming—“ I