How did Marius' reform of the Roman army contribute to shape Roman politics

Question: How did Marius' reform of the Roman army contribute to shape Roman politics in the next four or five decades!?

Thanks to everyone! But I would like to better understand how politics was shaped becuase of this army!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The reforms of Marius helped pave the way for strongarm politics like those practiced by Julius Caesar!. What Marius proposed is similar to what the U!.S!. may be trying in the near future--that is, privitization of the military!.

Caesar himself was a land-baron, a horse owner, and the proconsul of Gaul!. As such he was very wealthy, and was able to pay for the most well-equipped, and well trained soldiers in the Republic!. The city itself had very few defenses of its own!. Thus, all a general had to do was cross the Rubicon with a large force and sack the city!.

The problem with Marius' Reforms were that the maintenance features of the legislation relied solely on complete trust in returning generals to disband their armies before reaching the border!. The mere threat of the contrary led to many political upheavals including the first and second triumvirates, Caesar's proconsular command of Gaul, and indeed Caesar's revolution!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Citizen armies of the Roman Republic were replaced by professional soldiers - "Marius' Mules" - who tended to be more loyal to their commanders than to the Roman Republic which was led by the Roman Senate!. The commanders provided the booty, the pay, and the victories which led to these benefits of being as professional soldier!.
Men - such as Julius Caesar several decades after Marius - who commanded legions became more powerful politically as a consequence!.Www@QuestionHome@Com