Why do you think the poor and unemployed respected Gaius Marius?

Gaius Marius was respected by the poor and unemployed primarily because he championed their interests and implemented significant military reforms that opened the Roman army to the lower classes. By allowing non-property owners to enlist, he provided them with opportunities for employment, social mobility, and potential wealth through military service. Additionally, his populist policies and focus on land distribution endeared him to the disenfranchised, making him a symbol of hope and change for those struggling in Roman society.