Gaius MariusGaius Marius 157 BCE to 86 BCE - Gaius Marius was an accomplished Roman general and politician. His military reforms allowed regular Roman citizens into the army, and other strategic and organizational changes. Gaius Marius held the Roman consul, the highest office in the Roman Republic, seven times. He also played a significant role in helping defend Rome against invading Germanic tribes. Gaius was also the uncle of Julius Caesar and supporter of the populares political party in Rome.