In 27 BC and at the age of 36, Octavian was the sole Roman leader. Marius died in 86 BC, because of to age and very poor health and fitness, just a handful of months after seizing power. Despite this, Marius was elected for 5 consecutive consulships from 104 to a hundred BC, as Rome required a army chief to defeat the Cimbri and the Teutones, who have been threatening Rome.