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Marius undoubtedly strengthened the army as a fighting force. He ensured that for many centuries that the Roman army would not experience any manpower shortage. His reforms also ensured that the Roman soldier was the most professional and well-trained in the Classical World. The Roman army became a standing army and this meant that Rome could respond to any threat quickly. The Romans always had an army that was well-trained and experienced and this was a critical factor in the expansion of the Empire. However the newly established army was more loyal to their generals than to the Senate and the people of Rome.<ref> Holland, p. 189</ref> The generals of the armies were responsible for providing for the equipment and the retirement bonuses loyalty of the legionnaires. The general would often extend his command to secure the rights and the rewards of his soldiers. The legionary owed more allegiance to his general and commanding officer than to the state.
This allowed many generals to take control of legions and to use them for their own purposes. Again, and again, over the last century of the Roman Republic, generals such as Pompey had de-facto control of much of the army. This was very destabilizing. This is evident from the fact that there were a bloody series of civil wars.<ref> Julius Caesar, <i>The Civil Wars</i> (London, Penguin Books, 1998), p. 14</ref>. No sooner had the reforms been implemented that an apparently never-ending series of wars took place. The Roman generals became more important in Roman politics and they often used their armies to intimidate the Senate. Commanders such as Sula were able to impose their will on the Roman political system. Increasingly, power shifted from the Roman senatorial class to the commanders in the field. The Roman Republic was in crisis as a result, for many decades. Roman generals often used their forces to further their own political ambitions as was the case with Julius Caesar. The establishment of a standing army led ultimately to the destruction of the Republic. The bloody civil wars were only ended by the creation of the Imperial system under Caesar and his grand-nephew Augustus.<ref>Holland, p. 178</ref>
==Conclusion==
