The war with Jugurtha ended none too soon, for Marius was needed in a
struggle requiring all his talents.

The CIMBRI and TEUTONES, barbarous nations from Northern Europe, were
threatening the frontiers of Italy. Already the Roman armies had met
with five successive defeats at their hands on the banks of the Rhone.
Eighty thousand Romans and forty thousand camp followers are said to
have fallen in these battles. Had the barbarians at this moment chosen
to enter Italy, the destruction of Rome would have been a certain
result. Fortunately, they turned to the Pyrenees, and, sweeping over
the mountains, overran for a season the province of Spain.

Marius, appointed Consul a second time, devoted his energies to
forming and training the army. He selected the plains on the banks of
the Rhone in Southern Gaul as best adapted for his purpose. Here he
drilled his troops, accustoming them to the greatest possible
exertions. Many perished under the strain, but the survivors became
hardened soldiers. Corps of engineers were attached to each legion,
and the soldiers were taught the use of tools, as well as of arms. At
length, in his fourth consulship (102), he felt prepared to meet the
enemy.

The barbarians, on their return from Spain, separated their forces,
the Cimbri marching around the northern foot of the Alps towards
Noricum, with the intention of invading Italy from that quarter, while
the Teutones remained in Gaul.

As the latter advanced, Marius took up his position in a fortified
camp near AQUAE SEXTIAE (Aix). He allowed the enemy to march past him,
and then followed cautiously, waiting for a favorable opportunity to