Regum et imperatorum apophthegmata

Gaius Marius carne from an obscure family and advanced into political life through his military services. He announced himself a candidate for the greater [*](The office of curule aedile.) aedileship, but, perceiving that he was running behind, on the very same day he went after the lesser. [*](That of plebeian aedile.) Failing also to obtain that, he nevertheless did not give up the idea that he should some day be the first among the Romans. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of C. Marius, chap. v. (408 A); Cicero, Pro Plancio, 21 (51).)

He had large varicose veins on both legs, and, refusing to be fastened down, he submitted these to his physician for excision; and without a groan or even a contraction of his eyebrows he underwent the operation with fortitude. But as the physician

In his second consulship Lusius, his nephew, attempted an indecent assault on one of the youths in the army, by the name of Trebonius, and the youth killed Lusius. When many accused him of the crime, he did not deny that he had killed the officer, and disclosed the circumstances; whereupon Marius ordered the crown which is given for deeds of supreme valour to be brought, and this he placed upon Trebonius. [*](Cf. Plutarch’s Life of C. Marius, chap. xiv. (413 B); Cicero, Oration for Milo, 4 (9); Valerius Maximus, vi. 1. 12.)