Plutarch · c. AD 46-after 119
Life of Marius
Γάϊος ΜάριοςPlutarch's Life of Marius follows Caius Marius, born of poor parents near Arpinum, from his first service at Numantia through seven consulships. It covers the war against Jugurtha, the defeat of the Teutones and Cimbri, his quarrels with Metellus, Saturninus and Sulla, his flight and exile, and his bloody return to Rome with Cinna. It ends with his death seventeen days into his seventh consulship and the cruelty of his son.
Contents · 18 passages
- 1.1–3.3Caius Marius: his name, his statue at Ravenna, and early service at Numantia736 words
- 4.1–6.3Marius as tribune, his failed elections and his marriage to Julia1052 words
- 7.1–8.5Marius as legate under Metellus in Africa and the break between them760 words
- 9.1–10.6Marius' first consulship; Bocchus gives Jugurtha to Sulla740 words
- 11.1–13.2The Cimbri and Teutones: Marius' second consulship and Jugurtha's triumph1354 words
- 14.1–16.5Third and fourth consulships; the Rhone canal and the wait for the Teutones1375 words
- 17.1–18.4Marius' omens: the prophetess Martha, the vultures and Bataces of the Great Mother872 words
- 19.1–21.4The battle of Aquae Sextiae: the Ambrones and Teutones destroyed1404 words
- 22.1–24.4Fifth consulship, Catulus and the Atiso, and the envoys of the Cimbri1096 words
- 25.1–27.6The battle of Vercellae: Marius and Catulus defeat the Cimbri1447 words
- 28.1–30.4Sixth consulship, Saturninus' oath and the exile of Metellus1515 words
- 31.1–33.3Marius in the East, his quarrel with Sulla and the Social War823 words
- 34.1–35.7Sulpicius, the Mithridatic command and Sulla's march on Rome; Marius flees1006 words
- 36.1–38.6Marius' flight: the eagle's nest, the marsh and capture at Minturnae1532 words
- 39.1–40.7The soldier at Minturnae who could not kill Marius; Marius in Africa1002 words
- 41.1–42.5Marius returns, joins Cinna and takes Ostia; death of Octavius799 words
- 43.1–44.6The massacre at Rome: the Bardyaei, Antonius and Catulus1045 words
- 45.1–46.6Marius' seventh consulship and death; the younger Marius1061 words
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English translation by Bernadotte Perrin (1920). Original text: Bernadotte Perrin (ed. and trans.), Plutarch's Lives, vol. 9, Loeb Classical Library, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann, 1920 (Greek text as digitised by Perseus).
Greek text and translation from the Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Perseus Digital Library); translation public domain. Introductions, summaries and notes © GreekMythology.com.
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