Capite censi were literally, in Latin, "those counted by head" in the ancient Roman census. Also known as "the head count", the term was used to refer to the lowest class of citizens, people not of the nobility or middle classes, owning little or no property, thus they were counted by the head rather than by their property.
Gaius Marius was the son of a farmer and rose in military ranks through real ability and conniving. He rose in society ranks by marrying the daughter of a famous but declining family, the Julii, Julia Caesar.
Faced with a war in Africa and growing threats from Germany, Gaius Marius, as part of the Marian Reforms of 107 BC, allowed these non-land-owning Romans to enlist in the Roman legions. They made up much of the bulk of his army and they were fiercely loyal. (Up until that time a man had to own property to fight for Rome.) Since the reforms did not include a permanent demobilization method divorced from army commanders, soldiers became closely linked to their generals for the process of rewarding them for service on demobilization (retirement from active service). In essence loyalty to the man replaced loyalty to the state. This would help facilitate the demise of the Roman Republic.
Faced with a war in Africa and growing threats from Germany, Gaius Marius, as part of the Marian Reforms of 107 BC, allowed these non-land-owning Romans to enlist in the Roman legions. They made up much of the bulk of his army and they were fiercely loyal. (Up until that time a man had to own property to fight for Rome.) Since the reforms did not include a permanent demobilization method divorced from army commanders, soldiers became closely linked to their generals for the process of rewarding them for service on demobilization (retirement from active service). In essence loyalty to the man replaced loyalty to the state. This would help facilitate the demise of the Roman Republic.
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