According to later tradition, particularly sources like the
Historia Augusta, his trade as a
blacksmith led to him being nicknamed after
Mamurius Veturius, a legendary metalworker from the time of King
Numa Pompilius. He rose through the ranks of the
Roman army to become an officer, although his specific rank prior to becoming emperor is not definitively recorded. He was part of the army forces that revolted at Moguntiacum (
Mainz) after the Emperor Postumus refused to allow them to sack the city following the defeat of the usurper
Laelianus. These troops murdered Postumus, and in the ensuing confusion, the army acclaimed Marius as Postumus' successor. One of his first decisions was to allow his troops to sack Moguntiacum, thereby fulfilling the desire that had contributed to the revolt. He then moved to
Augusta Treverorum (
Trier) to consolidate his power. His reign ended when
Victorinus, a prominent officer formerly loyal to Postumus (and soon to be emperor himself), had Marius killed in mid-269, most likely at
Augusta Treverorum. Based on the significant number of coins issued in his name, modern historians estimate his reign lasted for approximately two to three months. This modern estimation contrasts sharply with accounts from ancient written sources, notably the
Historia Augusta and Eutropius, which claim Marius' reign lasted only two or three days before he was killed, allegedly by a
sword of his own manufacture. This traditional account of his reign's length is considered inaccurate due to the
numismatic evidence, and the story of his death by a sword of his own making is likely legendary, perhaps inspired by his reputed origins. Marius is listed as one of the
Thirty Tyrants in the
Historia Augusta. This source suggests he was chosen as emperor partly because his name recalled two famous Romans of the past,
Marcus Aurelius and
Gaius Marius. == References ==