Changes

Many poor men rushed to join the army and they were expected to enlist for at least fifteen years. Marius was also able to standardize the equipment used by the soldiers. He also believed that Rome, because of its Empire and the various threats to its borders needed a standing army. Previously, the army was composed of citizen-soldiers<ref>Polybius. The Histories. 4.1</ref>. The soldiers would return home after the end of every campaign. Marius believed that a soldier should be a professional and train full-time. Even in times of peace, the Roman soldier should be ready for war. <ref>Goldsworthy, <i>Adrian The Complete Roman Army</i> (London, Thames & Hudson, 2002), p. 134</ref>

Marius reorganized the Roman army and he reformed the legions. The total number of men per legion was six thousand and of these 4800 would be legionnaires and the rest support staff, mainly servants. Marius wanted every legion to be a self-contained fighting force. The legion was divided into centuries that were commanded by a centurion.<ref>Goldsworthy, p. 117</ref> Each century was comprised of 80 soldiers and twenty support staff. The century was divided into the sub-units that contained 8 legionaries and 2 non-combatant support staff. The Roman legionnaires would eat, fight and live together and this created a great spirit de corps. Marius insisted on regular training and drills and this meant that the Romans were always physically fit. He also ordered that every man carrying his own gear and equipment and the soldiers, as a result, referred to themselves as ‘Marius’ Mules.’<ref>Plutarch, p 146</ref>