The popular heroes of the hour were two demagogues, the Tribune SATURNINUS and the Praetor GLAUCIA.

They carried corn laws and land laws,( Footnote: These were the APPULEIAN LAWS (100):--I.

Any Roman citizen could buy corn of the state at a nominal price.II.The land in Cisalpine Gaul, which the Cimbrians had occupied, should be divided among the Italian and Roman citizens.III.Colonies from the veterans of Marius were to be founded in Sicily, Achaia, and Macedonia.) and compelled the Senators to take an oath to execute their laws.

Metellus Numidicus refusing to comply with their wishes, Saturninus sent a guard to the Senate-House, dragged him out, and expelled him from the city.
During this troublesome time, Marius showed that he was no politician.
He lacked judgment and firmness, and by endeavoring to please all parties he pleased none.
On the popular side there were two parties, the moderate one, led by MEMMIUS, who had exposed the Senate in its dealings with Jugurtha, and the radical one, led by Saturninus and Glaucia.

Memmius and Glaucia both ran for the consulship, and as the former seemed likely to be successful, he was murdered.