He was an old man, being now over seventy years of age.
[Sidenote: Return of Marius.] [Sidenote: He marches against Rome.] Of course, Sylla thought that his great rival and enemy was now finally disposed of, and he accordingly began to make preparations for his Asiatic campaign.

He raised his army, built and equipped a fleet, and went away.

As soon as he was gone, Marius's friends in the city began to come forth, and to take measures for reinstating themselves in power.
Marius returned, too, from Africa, and soon gathered about him a large army.

Being the friend, as he pretended, of the lower classes of society, he collected vast multitudes of revolted slaves, outlaws, and other desperadoes, and advanced toward Rome.

He assumed, himself, the dress, and air, and savage demeanor of his followers.