Sertorian War
Encyclopedia
The Sertorian War was a conflict of the Roman civil wars
in which a coalition of Iberians and Romans fought against the representatives of the regime established by Sulla. It takes its name from Quintus Sertorius
the main leader of the opposition to Sulla. The war lasted from 80 BC
to 72 BC
. The war is notable for Sertorius' successful use of guerrilla warfare
. The war ended after Sertorius was assassinated by Marcus Perperna who was then promptly defeated by Pompey
.
Discontented Lusitanians
decided to send envoys to Sertorius who at the time was in North Africa. The Lusitanians chose Sertorius because of the mild policy he had pursued while governor in 82 BC
. The Lusitani had a long history of resistance to Rome. Some historians have concluded that the Lusitani were seeking independence and by taking over the leadership of the movement Sertorius was opposing Rome itself. Philip Spann considers this unlikely, as for Sertorius to accept such a treasonable offer would be to destroy any hope of returning to Rome. More likely the offer grew out of an acceptance by the Lusitani that they would not be able to defeat Rome and that their best hope was to assist the establishment in Rome of a regime sympathetic to them. Spann suggests that a major reason for Sertorius' acceptance was that it was becoming clearer that there would be no amnesty for him and his followers nor reconciliation with the regime set up by Sulla.
landed in the Iberian Peninsula
Plutarch
's account implies that Sertorius went first to Lusitania, organized the tribes and only then returned to the Baetis valley to defeat a Roman force. Spann suggests that a more probably sequence is that the Battle of the Baetis River
occurred during Sertorius' initial march to Lusitania.
as governor of Hispania Ulterior
. Metellus, basing himself at Metellinum (modern Medellin)
made several thrusts into the interior. but was thwarted by Sertorius who used guerrilla tactics so effectively that after two years Metellus was exhausted. Meanwhile Sertorius' subordinate, Hirtuleius, was able to defeat Marcus Domitius Calvinus. In 77 BC he was joined by Perperna who brought the remnant of the army of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus
from Sardinia. However Perperna had only reluctantly agreed to put himself under Sertorius' command; when his men had heard that Pompey had been sent to Iberia they had demanded that Perperna join up with Sertorius.
The next year, in 75 BC, there were three major battles, two of whose locations is disputed. Metellus defeated and killed Hirtuleius in a battle which Scullard takes to have been near the Segovia in central Spain. Philip Spann considers Segovia in Baetica
a more likely site of the battle – if indeed it was fought near either Segovia. Sertorius on hearing of Hirtuleius defeat seems to have decided to attempt to defeat Pompey before Metellus and Pompey could join forces. At the Battle of Sucro, Setrorius met Pompey's army and though he defeated one wing forcing Pompey to flee, his other wing had been defeated in the meantime so the end result was a draw. The third major battle, in which Sertorius faced the combined forces of Pompey and Metellus, is normally taken to be near Saguntum. Philip Spann considers this to be a misreading of the sources arguing that an inland site must be intended, aguing for one or other of the two cities named Segontia. It is probable that the battle was forced on Sertorius against his better judgement by the Roman section of his force who would have little sympathy for Sertorius' guerrilla tactics. In the event , in the battle, the largest of the war, Sertorius was defeated.
The war during the year 74 BC
is poorly documented. Pompey and Metellus concentrated their effors on the lands of the Celtiberians and the Vaccae. Overall, however, it seems that Sertorius' position was somewhat eroded.
in southern Gaul.
Roman civil wars
There were several Roman civil wars, especially during the late Republic. The most famous of these are the war in the 40s BC between Julius Caesar and the optimate faction of the senatorial elite initially led by Pompey and the subsequent war between Caesar's successors, Octavian and Mark Antony in...
in which a coalition of Iberians and Romans fought against the representatives of the regime established by Sulla. It takes its name from Quintus Sertorius
Quintus Sertorius
Quintus Sertorius was a Roman statesman and general, born in Nursia, in Sabine territory. His brilliance as a military commander was shown most clearly in his battles against Rome for control of Hispania...
the main leader of the opposition to Sulla. The war lasted from 80 BC
80 BC
Year 80 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Sulla and Metellus...
to 72 BC
72 BC
Year 72 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Publicola and Lentulus...
. The war is notable for Sertorius' successful use of guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
. The war ended after Sertorius was assassinated by Marcus Perperna who was then promptly defeated by Pompey
Pompey
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, also known as Pompey or Pompey the Great , was a military and political leader of the late Roman Republic...
.
Origin of the War
Lusitanians
The Lusitanians were an Indo-European people living in the Western Iberian Peninsula long before it became the Roman province of Lusitania . They spoke the Lusitanian language which might have been Celtic. The modern Portuguese people see the Lusitanians as their ancestors...
decided to send envoys to Sertorius who at the time was in North Africa. The Lusitanians chose Sertorius because of the mild policy he had pursued while governor in 82 BC
82 BC
Year 82 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Marius and Carbo...
. The Lusitani had a long history of resistance to Rome. Some historians have concluded that the Lusitani were seeking independence and by taking over the leadership of the movement Sertorius was opposing Rome itself. Philip Spann considers this unlikely, as for Sertorius to accept such a treasonable offer would be to destroy any hope of returning to Rome. More likely the offer grew out of an acceptance by the Lusitani that they would not be able to defeat Rome and that their best hope was to assist the establishment in Rome of a regime sympathetic to them. Spann suggests that a major reason for Sertorius' acceptance was that it was becoming clearer that there would be no amnesty for him and his followers nor reconciliation with the regime set up by Sulla.
Sertorius returns to Iberia
In 80 BC Sertorius after defeating a naval force under Aurelius CottaGaius Aurelius Cotta
Gaius Aurelius Cotta was a Roman statesman and orator; not to be confused with Gaius Aurelius L.f. Cotta who was Consul in 252 with Publius Servilius Q.f. Geminus....
landed in the Iberian Peninsula
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula , sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar...
Plutarch
Plutarch
Plutarch then named, on his becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus , c. 46 – 120 AD, was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Middle Platonist known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia...
's account implies that Sertorius went first to Lusitania, organized the tribes and only then returned to the Baetis valley to defeat a Roman force. Spann suggests that a more probably sequence is that the Battle of the Baetis River
Battle of the Baetis River
The Battle of the Baetis River was fought in 80 BC, as part of the Sertorian War, between a Roman army and a rebel force. The Romans were led by Lucius Fulfidas, while the rebels were led by Quintus Sertorius. The rebel army was victorious....
occurred during Sertorius' initial march to Lusitania.
Appointment of Metellus
Concerned at the growing threat the authorities in Rome appointed Quintus Caecilius Metellus PiusQuintus Caecilius Metellus Pius
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius was a pro-Sullan politician and general. He was named Pius because of his 99 BC petition to return his father from exile and was true to his cognomen for the constance and inflexibility with which he always fought for his father's rehabilitation and return to...
as governor of Hispania Ulterior
Hispania Ulterior
During the Roman Republic, Hispania Ulterior was a region of Hispania roughly located in Baetica and in the Guadalquivir valley of modern Spain and extending to all of Lusitania and Gallaecia...
. Metellus, basing himself at Metellinum (modern Medellin)
Medellín (Spain)
Medellín is a village in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain, notable as the birthplace of Hernán Cortés in 1485 and the site of the Battle of Medellín, during the Peninsular War...
made several thrusts into the interior. but was thwarted by Sertorius who used guerrilla tactics so effectively that after two years Metellus was exhausted. Meanwhile Sertorius' subordinate, Hirtuleius, was able to defeat Marcus Domitius Calvinus. In 77 BC he was joined by Perperna who brought the remnant of the army of Marcus Aemilius Lepidus
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus
Marcus Aemilius Lepidus may refer to:* Marcus Aemilius Lepidus , consul in 232 BC and 221 BC, and augur* Marcus Aemilius Lepidus , consul in 187 BC and 175 BC, Pontifex Maximus 180–152 BC, and censor...
from Sardinia. However Perperna had only reluctantly agreed to put himself under Sertorius' command; when his men had heard that Pompey had been sent to Iberia they had demanded that Perperna join up with Sertorius.
Metellus and Pompey versus Sertorius
Pompey's first aim, on arrival in Iberia, was to clear the coastal road. Initially successful when facing Sertorius' subordinates, he was forced back when he faced Sertorius himself. Meanwhile, Metellus brought Hirtuleius to battle at Italica and defeated him.The next year, in 75 BC, there were three major battles, two of whose locations is disputed. Metellus defeated and killed Hirtuleius in a battle which Scullard takes to have been near the Segovia in central Spain. Philip Spann considers Segovia in Baetica
Segovia (Baetica)
Segovia was an ancient city of the Roman province of Hispania Baetica, on the river Silicense Segovia was an ancient city of the Roman province of Hispania Baetica, on the river Silicense Segovia was an ancient city of the Roman province of Hispania Baetica, on the river Silicense (probably the...
a more likely site of the battle – if indeed it was fought near either Segovia. Sertorius on hearing of Hirtuleius defeat seems to have decided to attempt to defeat Pompey before Metellus and Pompey could join forces. At the Battle of Sucro, Setrorius met Pompey's army and though he defeated one wing forcing Pompey to flee, his other wing had been defeated in the meantime so the end result was a draw. The third major battle, in which Sertorius faced the combined forces of Pompey and Metellus, is normally taken to be near Saguntum. Philip Spann considers this to be a misreading of the sources arguing that an inland site must be intended, aguing for one or other of the two cities named Segontia. It is probable that the battle was forced on Sertorius against his better judgement by the Roman section of his force who would have little sympathy for Sertorius' guerrilla tactics. In the event , in the battle, the largest of the war, Sertorius was defeated.
The war during the year 74 BC
74 BC
Year 74 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Lucullus and Cotta...
is poorly documented. Pompey and Metellus concentrated their effors on the lands of the Celtiberians and the Vaccae. Overall, however, it seems that Sertorius' position was somewhat eroded.
Division in the Sertorian Camp
During 73 BC there was a growing division between the Roman and Iberian elements of the Sertorian coalition. Plutarch tells how the Romans meted out harsh treatment to the Iberians, blaming their actions on Sertorius' orders. It is normally assumed that Perperna made his move to assassinate Sertorius in 72 BC. However there are strong arguments in favor of 73 BC. After the assassination, Perperna, with his army, was lured into an ambush and captured by Pompey.Aftermath
In the view of Scullard, Pompey's treatment of Hispania was humane. Citizenship was given to many supporters and a group of die hard opponents were resettled to Lugdunum ConvenarumSaint-Bertrand-de-Comminges
Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges is a commune in the Haute-Garonne department in southwestern France. It is a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France association.-History:...
in southern Gaul.