Introduction

Gaius Marius was born in 157 BC in southern Laddiam. His hometown had been conquered by the Romans in the 4th century BC. It wasn't until about 30 years before Marius's birth that his people were granted status as full Roman citizens. The story goes that Marius was the son of a simple farmer, but this myth of humble origins was an invention after the fact to help the poor of Rome identify with Marius.