How did Gaius Marius Die?
In 86 BC, within a fortnight of assuming the consulship for the seventh time, Gaius Marius died due to pleurisy.
Pleurisy is inflammation of the membranes that surround the lungs and line the chest cavity.
Just before his death, Marius walked with his friends and discussed all of his accomplishments with them.
While talking with his friend Marius had a fit of passion. In delusion, he started behaving as if he was in commanding his army in battlefield.
Soon, due to his illness he was confined to his bed.
On his deathbed, Marius lamented that he had not achieved all of which he was capable.
He died on 13th January 86BC, just 2 week after he became consul for 7th time, more times than any man before him.
Legacy of Gaius Marius
In his life, Gaius Marius acquired great wealth.
He was also noted for his important reforms of Roman armies called Marius reforms.
Many historians called him “the third founder of Rome” as he defeated invading Germanic tribes in the Cimbrian War.