ABSTRACT
For the last century of the Republic, the Roman army had been a source of problems; the need to create the conditions of service and the flow of recruits necessary to protect the integrity of Rome's interests abroad led to the decision by Gaius Marius to open recruitment to all citizens, regardless of property levels. This change proved disastrous, because nothing was done to tie the army's loyalty to the Republic, which left it effectively within the patronage and thus under the influence of individual politicians/generals. The army needed these 'patrons' to lead it on lucrative campaigns and to arrange land settlements on demobilisation. The Republic was thus at the mercy of its armies, which inevitably, in their own interest, looked to the 'highest bidder'. As Cicero observed in 52 Be, the laws were powerless to protect the Republic from such armed pressure.
