Famous Men of Rome · Ch. XVIII, part 2 · Unit 4: The end of the Republic
25. Marius, part 2: Marius and Sulla
Goal: Your child can tell how Marius and Sulla became enemies, how Marius escaped death, and how he returned to Rome.
You'll need
- The book, open to this chapter
- A map of Italy and the Mediterranean (a free online map or a globe)
- Paper and colored pencils
What's in the book
The rest of Chapter XVIII: after his triumph, Marius grows jealous of the young noble Sulla, hero of the Social War. When the command against Mithridates is taken from Sulla and given to Marius, Sulla marches his army on Rome. Marius flees, hides in a marsh, scares off a slave sent to kill him, and sits on the ruins of Carthage. He returns with Cinna, takes cruel revenge, and dies soon after his seventh consulship.
The lesson, step by step
Set the scene
SayMarius is the hero of Rome. But a younger general is rising, and the two will tear Rome apart.
Read the chapter
Read from the triumph to the end of Chapter XVIII. It begins:
When Marius and his soldiers returned to Rome they got a splendid reception.
Tell it back
Prompts:
- What was the Social War about?
- How did old Marius show he was still strong?
- What did Sulla do when the command was taken away from him?
- What happened when the slave came to kill Marius?
Talk it over
Read this:
"Go to your governor," answered Marius, "and tell him that you saw Caius Marius sitting on the ruins of Carthage."
Ask: Why do you think Marius gave that answer? What did the great fallen city and the great fallen man have in common?
Ask: Sulla led Roman soldiers against Rome itself. Why was that so dangerous?
Remember it
SayMarius and Sulla: two great generals, two bitter enemies. Marius sided with the plebeians, Sulla with the nobles.
Extra (optional)
Draw Marius sitting alone among broken columns, from the picture in the book.
Tip
The end of this chapter tells of Marius killing his enemies. The book does not dwell on it; a sentence is enough.
Answers to the book's problems
The Social War was fought by Italian peoples who wanted the same right to vote as Romans. Marius wrestled, ran and leaped for hours with the young men. Sulla marched his army to Rome and defeated Marius. The slave was so frightened by Marius's glare and words that he ran out and threw down his sword. Ruins: both had once been great and were now brought low. Using the army against Rome meant power could be taken by force instead of by vote.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.