Changes

The Roman general and politician Marius was one of the most important figures in the Roman Republic. He was a very controversial figure in during his own time lifetime and his contributions have been fiercely debated sincethen. Many believed historians have argued that he helped to save the Roman Republic and created laid the foundation for an army that was to prove almost invincible for centuries. Marius 's reforms also had important social-political implications and greatly he dramatically expanded citizenship in the citizenship bodyRepublic. HoweverStill, his reforms of the military have been widely criticized because they changed the nature of the Roman armywhich weakened the democratic nature of the republic.  They led to These reforms allowed generals being able to take control the armies of Romewith their armies. Because of his reforms, the legions of Rome increasingly came under the control of ambitious leaders such as Pompey or Sulla. The Marian reforms that were initiated during a crisis, became an important factor in the decline and the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Imperial system in Rome.