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manner he spent his time at Rhodes； in philosophy； will be more
fitly our subject when we write his life。
Marius； in return for this piece of service； was forced to connive
at Saturninus now proceeding to the very height of insolence and
violence； and was； without knowing it； the instrument of mischief
beyond endurance； the only course of which was through outrages and
massacres to tyranny and the subversion of the government。 Standing in
some awe of the nobility； and； at the same time； eager to court the
commonalty； he was guilty of a most mean and dishonest action。 When
some of the great men came to him at night to stir him up against
Saturninus； at the other door； unknown to them； he let him in； then
making the same pretence of some disorder of body to both； he ran from
one party to the other； and staying at one time with them and
another with him； he instigated and exasperated them one against
another。 At length when the senate and equestrian order concerted
measures together； and openly manifested their resentment； he did
bring his soldiers into the forum； and driving the insurgents into the
capitol； and then cutting off the conduits； forced them to surrender
by want of water。 They； in this distress； addressing themselves to
him； surrendered； at it is termed； on the public faith。 He did his
utmost to save their lives； but so wholly in vain； that when they came
down into the forum they were all basely murdered。 Thus he had made
himself equally odious both to the nobility and commons； and when
the time was come to create censors； though he was the most obvious
man； yet he did not petition for it； but fearing the disgrace of being
repulsed； permitted others； his inferiors； to be elected； though he
pleased himself by giving out that he was not willing to disoblige too
many by undertaking a severe inspection into their lives and conduct。
There was now an edict preferred to recall Metellus from banishment；
this he vigorously； but in vain； opposed both by word and deed； and
was at length obliged to desist。 The people unanimously voted for
it； and he； not able to endure the sight of Metellus's return； made
a voyage to Cappadocia and Galatia； giving out that he had to
perform the sacrifices which he had vowed to Cybele； but actuated
really by other less apparent reasons。 For； in fact； being a man
altogether ignorant of civil life and ordinary politics； he received
all his advancement from war； and supposing his power and glory
would by little and little decrease by his lying quietly out of
action； he was eager by every means to excite some new commotions； and
hoped that by setting at variance some of the kings； and by
exasperating Mithridates； especially； who was then apparently making
preparations for war； he himself should be chosen general against him；
and so furnish the city with new matter of triumph； and his own
house with the plunder of Pontus and the riches of its king。
Therefore； though Mithridates entertained him with all imaginable
attention and respect； yet he was not at all wrought upon or
softened by it； but said； 〃O king； either endeavour to be stronger
than the Romans； or else quietly submit to their commands。〃 With which
he left Mithridates as he indeed had often heard the fame of the
bold speaking of the Romans； but now for the first time experienced
it。
When Marius returned again to Rome； he built a house close by the
forum； either； as he himself gave out； that he was not willing his
clients should be tried with going far； or that he imagined distance
was the reason why more did not come。 This； however； was not so； the
real reason was； that； being inferior to others in agreeableness of
conversation and the arts of political life； like a mere tool and
implement of war； he was thrown aside in time of peace。 Amongst all
those whose brightness eclipsed his glory； he was most incensed
against Sylla； who had owed his rise to the hatred which the
nobility bore Marius； and had made his disagreement with him the one
principle of his political life。 When Bocchus； King of Numidia； who
was styled the associate of the Romans； dedicated some figures of
Victory in the capitol； and with them a representation in gold of
himself delivering Jugurtha to Sylla； Marius upon this was almost
distracted with rage and ambition； as though Sylla had arrogated
this honour to himself； and endeavoured forcibly to pull down these
presents； Sylla； on the other side； as vigorously resisted him； but
the Social War； then on a sudden threatening the city； put a stop to
this sedition when just ready to break out。 For the most warlike and
best…peopled countries of all Italy formed a confederacy together
against Rome； and were within a little of subverting the empire； as
they were indeed strong； not only in their weapons and the valour of
their soldiers； but stood nearly upon equal terms with the Romans as
to the skill and daring of their commanders。
As much glory and power as this war； so various in its events and so
uncertain as to its success； conferred upon Sylla； so much it took
away from Marius； who was thought tardy； unenterprising； and timid；
whether it were that his age was now quenching his former heat and
vigour （for he was above sixty…five years old）； or that having； as
he himself said； some distemper that affected his muscles； and his
body being unfit for action； he did service above his strength。 Yet；
for all this； he came off victor in a considerable battle； wherein
he slew six thousand of the enemies； and never once gave them any
advantage over him； and when he was surrounded by the works of the
enemy； he contained himself； and though insulted over； and challenged；
did not yield to the provocation。 The story is told that when
Publius Silo； a man of the greatest repute and authority among the
enemies； said to him； 〃If you are indeed a great general； Marius；
leave your camp and fight a battle；〃 he replied； 〃If you are one； make
me do so。〃 And another time； when the enemy gave them a good
opportunity of a battle； and the Romans through fear durst not charge；
so that both parties retreated； he called an assembly of his soldiers；
and said； 〃It is no small question whether I should call the enemies
or you the greater cowards； for neither did they dare to face your
backs； nor you to confront theirs。〃 At length； professing to be worn
out with the infirmity of his body； he laid down his command。
Afterwards when the Italians were worsted； there were several
candidates suing with the aid of the popular leaders for the chief
command in the war with Mithridates。 Sulpicius； tribune of the people；
a bold and confident man； contrary to everybody's expectation； brought
forward Marius； and proposed him as proconsul and general in that war。
The people were divided； some were on Marius's side； others voted
for Sylla； and jeeringly bade Marius go to the baths at Baiae； to cure
his body； worn out； as himself confessed； with age and catarrhs。
Marius had indeed； there； about Misenum； a villa more effeminately and
luxuriously furnished than seemed to become one that had seen
service in so many and great wars and expeditions。 This same house
Corneli