After the devastating losses at the battle of Aurausio, Terror Cimbricus now gripped the Roman Capitol. But despite the desperation in the North, from the south came a reprieve, news of Roman victory.
The Numidian King, Jugerthen had been brought to heel after a six year campaign ended in his capture. The man who claimed victory in Northern Africa was Gaius Marius, Consul and general of Rome.
Marius was a man of humble beginnings, but despite this he was a man driven by an insatiable lust for power. He was the embodiment of the new Rome, both brutal and brave, cunning and where needed merciless in his treachery. These qualities had made him few friends among the Roman elite, but his humble beginnings, and his common touch, had made him popular among the lower classes. They saw in him a saviour of Rome, and even before he had displayed his prize, Jugerthen in chains in the streets of Rome, they had elected him Consul in Absentia.
Despite the celebrations upon Marius’s return the situation in Rome was dire. With such heavy loses in the North and a long, drawn out campaign in the south, Rome’s human resources were almost completely depleted. Marius though had faced a similar situation in the south and during his previous consulship had enacted drastic measures to remedy it.
The Marian reforms enabled the recruitment of soldiers from the lowest classes of Roman society, the “Cepite Censi”. These landless citizens, were generally thought to be unworthy of military service, and despite such a measure being offensive to many of the Roman elite, given the extreme danger Rome now faced, Marius found little opposition in the senate.
Because of the opportunities for permanent employment and the chance to prove themselves and move up the social ranks, the landless masses flocked to Marius’s new armies. But with one problem solved another presented itself. The Cimbri were at Rome’s door and despite the eagerness of the new recruits, they were untrained in the ways of war. If the Cimbri and their allies fell upon Rome now, she would be able to do little to resist them, yet inexplicably the Cimbri did not march south.
No one knows why the mighty Cimbri passed up on such a tactical advantage, and move west instead of south, but they did. It is also unclear what happened in their adventures in Northern Spain, some reports claiming they sacked the loca tribes, whilst others that they were beaten back by the locals. All we do know is that it was not long before the Cimbrian horde once again marched north into more familiar territory in Northern Gaul.
For the Northern folk for whom Bravery and audacity were hallmarks of nobility, the reputation of Boirix would of grown to an almost God like level. As he marched north such was the celebration of his name Celtic tribes flocked to his banner in search of their own glories against the mighty Rome.
Back in Rome, an unaware of Cimbrian movements, the maxim “Terror Cimbricus” still gripped the city. The elusive nature of the Cimbri only adding to the terror, a force, proven in battle against the best of Rome was still out there, somewhere, and could strike at any moment.
Marius took the time given to him to train his troops. He did so in a manner that would revolutionise the armies. Forcing the men to carry their own equipment and do away with cumbersome supply caravans, these new soldiers were given the nickname “marian mules”. Marius was determined to make his new army fitter and more hardy than those before him, whom he thought had become soft and to used to luxury.
Whilst his new regime was harsh he made time to ingratiate himself with the common soldier, often sharing in tedious tasks and even celebrating the murder of his Nephew. His nephew had a reputation for abusing his position and forcing himself upon young soldiers, and when such a soldier resited him with lethal force, Marius did not condemn him and sentence him to death, as would be the normal course of action, but held him up as just.
Back in the North 2 years after the battle of Arausio, in around 103 BC the Noble Cimbri lead by the mighty Boirix done with their preparations once again began to march south. Boirix had decided to split the Cimbrian forces, and approach Rome on two fronts. The Cimbri and lesser allies would approach from the east through the Carnic Alps, Whilst the Teutones and Ambrones lead by Teutobod would approach from the west and enter Italy via Transalpine Gaul.
A year later in 102 BC news came to Rome that the Cimbri were approaching the northern limits of Roman rule with not one, but two vast armies. Such was the confidence in Marius, that on hearing this news the Roman public voted him Consul for the third consecutive time and before this war was out he would serve five terms in succession. This was unprecedented in Roman history, not least because Roman rule stipulated that no man should serve more than one term consecutively for fear of corruption.
And so the stage was set. From the North was Boirix, tamer of Rome, who in seeking new lands for his folk had brought five Roman consuls to their knees and Rome on the brink of existence. From the south the ruthless and insatiable Marius, whose devotion to victory was so great, that before setting out to war he ceremonially sacrificed his own daughter Calpurnia to secure the favour of the Gods, and victory.
The Fate of Europe now rested in the fate of two men.