A general by the name of Gaius Marius began to change the army. He was afraid that Rome was going to be attacked by barbarians. The Romans called everyone who wasn't a Roman or Greek a barbarian. He began to let poor plebeians join the army. From now on, generals paid their soldiers. The soldiers were now loyal to their general, not the Republic. Eventually, generals like Julius Cesar came to <span>power. He was the richest man in Rome, and his army was loyal to him.
Hope this helps :)</span>
