Gaius Marius the Younger

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Gaius Marius Minor (Minor Latin for the younger), also known as Younger Marius or Marius the Younger (110 BC/108 BC - 82 BC). Marius was born in Rome between 110-108 BC. His father Gaius Marius was seven times consul, a General and Roman Revolutionist, and his mother Julia was paternal aunt to dictator Julius Caesar. His cousin Caesar always thought highly of him and his father.

In his younger years, Marius was educated with Titus Pomponius Atticus and Marcus Tullius Cicero by Greek tutors. Like his father, Marius sought his base of support amongst the plebeians. When his father died in 86 BC, he assumed control of his faction. He is said to have lacked his father's charisma and courted popularity on the family name.

He was elected to the consulship for 82 BC. Marius married Licinia, daughter of Lucius Licinius Crassus, and granddaughter of Quintus Mucius Scaevola Augur.

In the Civil War in 82 BC, Lucius Cornelius Sulla and his army defeated the armies of Marius at the fortress city of Palestrina. Towards the end of the siege Marius committed suicide.

Preceded by Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus Asiagenus and Gaius Norbanus

Consul of the Roman Republic with Gnaeus Papirius Carbo 82 BC

Succeeded by Gnaeus Cornelius Dolabella and Marcus Tullius Decula