Marius

Marius was born to parents who are undistinguished other than being the parents of the famed Marius. He grows up in the country and is educated as most Romans. He joins the military and quickly distinguishes himself as a soldier. He accepts any duty without question. Marius later requires the same dedication from his own men, going so far as to work beside them when there are unpleasant duties to perform. Marius, in an attempt to hone his soldiers into a fighting regiment, pushes them on forced marches and requires that they carry their own packs, prompting the saying, "one of Marius' mules."

One of Marius' major victories actually occurs as a skirmish over water. Marius camps his own men in an area without a ready water supply while the enemy he faces are camped on the banks of a major water supply. Marius tells his own men...