Chapter 8 Summary

The next year begins as Sulla suspected, with the Germans dispersing to collect food from the surrounding countryside rather than continuing the invasion into Italy. Marius, realizing that once the Germans run out of food they will continue the invasion, consolidates the army to prepare to repulse the horde. Just as feared, the Cimbri do resume their invasion and the Romans are forced once again to repel them. Marius, through superior discipline and planning, destroys the entire Cimbri army in one afternoon. All eighty thousand Germans are killed, including the king Boirix, with minimal losses on the Roman side. Finally, the German threat is no more.

Gaius Julius Caesar returns to Rome to present news of the victory to the Senate. The Senate and the people rejoice at the news. Caesar and Aurelia still living in their Insula have had two children and...