However, by whose standards are we praising or condemning these figures? Modern standards, or Roman standards? By Roman standards, Caesar-until becoming a Dictator-was a Great Man, conquering Gaul. By Roman standards, Marius was definitely a great man, until he went mad and started purging the opposition, as well as being a political reformist-his reformed army may have been politically harmful in the long term, but it saved Rome from destruction at the hands of the Germans.
If we're using Roman standards, ALL of them were great people...they have celebrated their own triumphs, had their statue erected at Rome, received various honorary titles from the Senate, and have some popularity among the Romans...
Therefore, we should use the modern ones...