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146 General History of Europe Roman Empire. The people now selected a military commander, for they saw that they must have an army to enforce their claims. Marius, whom they chose, was himself a man of the people and had once been a plowboy. It was fortunate that he had military ability, for two powerful German tribes, the Cimbrians and the Teutons, had crossed the northern frontiers of the Roman Em- pire and had defeated several Roman armies sent against them. Marius was able, however, to overwhelm and nearly destroy the German hosts in two battles in southern Gaul (102 B.C.). So a man of the people saved Rome from this new danger. In order to increase his army Marius gave up the old habit of allowing only men of property to serve, and he took in the poor and penniless. These men became professional soldiers, and it was clear that the old days when Rome had relied on her citizens to defend her had passed. 229. The Senate chooses Sulla as its Defender. The Senate now set up a rival to Marius, Sulla, and gave him com- mand of an army to be sent to fight in Asia Minor. But the people refused to agree to this and elected Marius as head of the expedition. Sulla then summoned his troops, marched on Rome, and took the city by force. 230. Revenge of Marius and his Death (ss B.C.). The Senate had triumphed, but after the departure of Sulla and his legions the people refused longer to submit. Marius, having entered Rome with troops, began a frightful massacre of the leading men of the senatorial party. The Senate,, the first to sow seeds of violence in the murder of Tiberius Gracchus, now reaped a fearful harvest. Meantime Marius died (86 B.C.), but the leaders of the people ruled in Rome until the day of reckoning, which was sure to come on the return of Sulla. 231. Sulla gives the Senate Supreme Leadership ( 82-79 B.C.). Having spent several years carrying on a victorious campaign in Asia Minor, Sulla returned. On the way his army defeated the armies of the people, one after another, and Sulla entered Rome as master of the State, without any legal power to justify such mastery. By means of his troops he forced his own appointment