Gaius Marius

Roman politician. Born as a knight near Arpinum. Entered politics through his connection with the prestigious Metellus family. Served as an adjutant in the Jugurthine War (111-105 BC), and with the support of businessmen in the province of Africa, ran for consulship and was elected (107 BC). He won the war by recruiting new troops from the proletariat (propertyless citizens), and returned in triumph (104 BC). He then succeeded in defeating the Cimbri-Teutoni, and established immense power as a leader of the populist faction. He became consul for the sixth time in 100 BC, but his relationship with the nobles (respected nobles) deteriorated over the issue of colonizing veteran soldiers. On the other hand, he suppressed the democratic reforms carried out by the tribune Saturninus, who was his ally in the colonization issue. During the period of the League Wars (91-87 BC), Marius faced a serious challenge from Sulla, who, although a factionist, was also based on a military clientera that was similar to Caesar's. The two fought over command of the Mithridatic War, and Marius briefly gained control of it, but was defeated when Sulla, who had suddenly returned from the East, marched on Rome. He fled to Africa, one of the colonies of veteran soldiers, and built up his power, returning to Rome with the rise of Cinna. He became consul together with Cinna in 86 BC, and carried out a major crackdown on opponents, but died of illness in the same year. His wife Julia was the sister of Caesar's father.

[Nobuko Kurita]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代ローマの政治家。アルピヌムArpinum近郊の騎士身分の出身。名門メテルルス家との縁で政界に進出。ユグルタ戦争（前111～前105）に副官として従軍し、属州アフリカの実業家層の支持を得てコンスル職に立候補し、当選（前107）。プロレタリー（無産市民）層からの募兵制による新軍を使ってこの戦争に勝利を収め、凱旋(がいせん)（前104）した。続いてキンブリ・テウトニ人の撃退にも成功し、民衆派の領袖(りょうしゅう)として絶大な権力を確立するに至った。紀元前100年に六度目のコンスル職についたが、彼の退役兵の植民問題などをめぐってノビレス（顕職貴族）との関係が険悪化した。他方、植民問題での協力者である護民官サトゥルニヌスの民衆派的改革遂行に対して、これを弾圧した。同盟市戦争（前91～前87）期に入ると、閥族派でありながら彼と同様になかば私兵的な軍事的クリエンテーラを基盤とするスラからの深刻な挑戦を受けた。両者はミトリダテス戦争の指揮権をめぐって争い、マリウスはいったんこれを手中にしたが、東方から急遽(きゅうきょ)帰還したスラのローマ進軍により敗走。退役兵の植民先の一つであるアフリカに逃れて勢力を蓄え、キンナの台頭を機にローマに帰還。キンナとともに前86年のコンスルとなり、反対派の大弾圧を行ったが、同年病死した。なお、妻ユリアはカエサルの父の姉妹である。

［栗田伸子］

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