# Marius — Discourses on Livy character guide

> Marius in Discourses on Livy by Niccolò Machiavelli.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Caius Marius

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Who they are

Roman general and consul whose military reforms and civil strife are discussed.

## In the story

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/v)

Mentioned as a figure whose rise was enabled by the commons' factious spirit, leading to the overthrow of Rome.

### [Chapter XVII: That a corrupt people obtaining freedom can hardly preserve it](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xvii)

The Marian faction infected the people with corruption, paving the way for Caesar's tyranny.

### [Chapter XXVIII: Whence it came that the Romans were less ungrateful to their citizens than were the Athenians.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxviii)

Mentioned as a figure from the times of Sylla and Marius, marking the period when Roman liberty was never subverted by a citizen.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Became the champion of the commons during the Agrarian Law disputes, made consul four times and later three more, consolidating power.

### [Why certain nations leave their ancestral seats and overflow the countries of others.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/viii)

Defeated the Todi and Cimbri in the third Gallic war.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/vi)

Mentioned for the awe he inspired even as a prisoner, unnerving his would-be executioner.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/viii)

Contrasted with Manlius; in a corrupt state, Marius succeeded in his ambitions, whereas Manlius would have failed.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxiv)

Mentioned as one who, through prolonged command, gained adherents ready to follow him to the public detriment.

### [XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Example of a prudent commander who used skirmishes to accustom his army to the Cimbrians and reduce their fear before battle.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters/marius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_on_livy_se/characters