Who can prove when the Marian reforms happened?

**Somebody Else** · 09-06-2004, 09:19

I would say sometime in the few years after the battle at the Arausio River, where - through inept leadership, 80,000 Romans were slaughtered, in 105 BC and the battle of Aquae Sextiae in 102 BC, where the new Roman army had it's revenge on the Germans.

Marius was consul from 104-100 BC, so I would imagine the reforms took place during this time period.

In game - it could be any time from 104 to 102 BC I reckon.

**Kagetora** · 09-06-2004, 11:07

Alright, good narrowing down, bujt remeber Marius was a consol several times during his life, and still need an exact time.

**Somebody Else** · 09-06-2004, 12:52

A three year margin not enough?

Well, we can discount 102 BC, as he was using the new-model army by then. So a two year margin.

Now, Marius was a pretty sensible chap, so he'd have wanted to give his men plenty of training, so 103 BC is probably out as the beginning of his reforms.

Which leaves 104 BC, when he took the Consulship, and therefore command of the army.

**Kagetora** · 09-06-2004, 13:00

Thats some pretty good narrowing down.

**Somebody Else** · 09-06-2004, 15:17

Why thank you.

**Stuie** · 09-06-2004, 15:29

Originally Posted by Somebody Else

In game - it could be any time from 104 to 102 BC I reckon.

Nice job! Quoting from my source (Atlas of the Roman World published 1982 by Facts on File Publications)...

...Marius was given the opportunity to carry out a systematic reform of the organization, training and equipment of the Roman army (104-102 BC).

**Spartiate** · 09-06-2004, 19:15

it has been stated(although i cannot remember where) by CA that the Marian Reforms will not be tied to a specific date to stop players from gearing up to take advantage of it(think about being ready for the Mongols in MTW).

Marius was consul on 7 occassions