Marius, M. Aurelius

one of the thirty tyrants enumerated by Trebellius Pollio [see AUREOLUS], was the fourth of the usurpers who in succession ruled Gaul, in defiance of Gallienus. According to the statements of the Augustan historians and Victor, he was a blacksmith, remarkable only for his extraordinary muscular strength, and deserving to be remembered in history merely on account of the unparalleled shortness of his reign, which lasted for two, or at the most, three days. Although the authorities cited above, together with Eutropius, agree in limiting the duration of his power to this space, it is a singular fact that a considerable number of coins, in each of the three metals, are to be found in various collections, which we can scarcely suppose to have been engraved, struck, and issued within such a period, and Eckhel has acutely pointed out an inconsistency in Victor, who, in the life of Diocletian, speaks of Marius as having been one of those who, when suddenly elevated, became " superbia atque ambition immooicos," feelings and passions which could scarcely be developed within the space of forty-eight hours. (Trehell. Poll. Trig. Tyrann. vii.; Victor, de Caes. 33.39; Eutrop. 9.7.)

It appears from coins that the full name of this usurper was C.M. Aurelius Marius; but on some coins, as on the one annexed, he is called simply C. Marius. (Eckhel, vol. vii. p. 454.)

[W.R]