I doubt if Marius had any fixed idea of government.

To get the better of his enemies, and then to grind them into powder under his feet, to seize rank and power and riches, and then to enjoy them, to sate his lust with blood and money and women, at last even with wine, and to feed his revenge by remembering the hard things which he was made to endure during the period of his overthrow--this seems to have been enough for Marius.[53] With Sulla there was understanding that the Empire must be ruled, and that the old ways would be best if they could be made compatible with the newly-concentrated power.
The immediate effect upon Rome, either from one or from the other, was nearly the same.

In the year 87 B.C.Marius occupied himself in slaughtering the Sullan party--during which, however, Sulla escaped from Rome to the army of which he was selected as General, and proceeded to Athens and the East with the object of conquering Mithridates; for, during these personal contests, the command of this expedition had been the chief bone of contention among them.

Marius, who was by age unfitted, desired to obtain it in order that Sulla might not have it.

In the next year, 86 B.C., Marius died, being then Consul for the seventh time.