Marian reforms

The Marian reforms were a series of changes to the Roman military introduced by Gaius Marius around 107 BCE. These reforms professionalized the Roman army by creating a standing, paid force rather than relying on temporary, citizen-soldiers. Soldiers were now recruited from the general population, regardless of property ownership, and received regular training and equipment. This shift increased the army’s size, improved discipline, and made soldiers more loyal to their generals than to the state. The reforms significantly boosted Rome’s military power, enabling it to conquer new territories and maintain its dominance in the Mediterranean.