Editing Quintus Sertorius (section)

==Social War and civil unrest==
{{further information|Social War (91–87 BC)|Sulla's civil war}}

In 92&nbsp;BC, upon his return from his military tribunate in Hispania, Sertorius was elected [[quaestor]] and assigned [[Cisalpine Gaul]] in the year 91.<ref>{{harvnb|Pina Polo|Díaz Fernández|2019|pp=312–13}}. See also {{harvnb|Plut. ''Sert.''|loc=4.1}}.</ref> His quaestorship was unusual in that he largely governed the province while the actual governor, perhaps [[Gaius Coelius Caldus]], spent time across the [[Alps]] subduing remnants of the Cimbric invasion.{{sfn|Konrad|1994|p=54}} The same year, the [[Social War (91–87 BC)|Social War]] broke out, and Sertorius contributed by levying soldiers and obtaining weapons. He may have done more, though the existing sources do not record it. According to the historian [[Sallust]]: 

{{quote|Many successes were achieved under his [Sertorius] leadership, but these have not been recorded in history, firstly because of his humble birth and secondly because the historians were ill-disposed towards him.{{sfn|Sall. ''Hist.''|loc=fragment 1.88}}}}

His quaestorship may have been prorogued into 90&nbsp;BC.{{sfn|Pina Polo|Díaz Fernández|2019|p=313}} Between 90–89&nbsp;BC he almost certainly led as a commander and fought, along with providing men and materiel to the southern theatres of the war.{{sfn|Spann|1987|pp=21–22, 162}} He served under a series of commanders, probably Marius and [[Lucius Porcius Cato]],{{sfn|Spann|1987|p=22}} most certainly under [[Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo]].{{sfn|Konrad|1994|p=56. This comes from the record of Strabo's staff during the [[Social War (91–87 BC)|Social War]], which included three men who would later fight under Sertorius in Spain, who probably defected to him in 87 BC}} Sertorius fought in an "especially bold" manner during the war, and sustained a wound which cost him the use of one of his eyes.{{sfnm|Goldsworthy|2016|1p=158|Plut. ''Sert.''|2loc=4.2}}

{{quote|Sertorius used his wounds as personal propaganda. Being scarred in the face had its advantages. Other men, he used to say, could not always carry about them the evidence of their heroic achievements. Their tokens, wreaths and spears of honour must at some times be set aside. His proof of valour remained with him at all times.{{sfn|Plut. ''Sert.''|loc=4.2}}}}

Upon his return to Rome he apparently enjoyed the reputation of a war hero.{{sfn|Plut. ''Sert.''||loc=4}} Sertorius then ran for [[tribune of the Plebs]] in 89 or 88&nbsp;BC, but [[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]] thwarted his efforts, causing Sertorius to oppose Sulla. Sulla's reasons for doing so are unclear. It may have originated in a personal quarrel since both men served under Marius earlier in their careers.{{sfn|Spann|1987|p=24}} It is also equally possible Sulla (and by extension the [[Optimates and populares|optimates]], who he was closely tied to through marriage with [[Caecilia Metella (daughter of Delmaticus)|Caecilia Metella]] and opposition to Marius) were uncertain about what manner of tribune Sertorius would be, and not being able to rely on his obedience led to their opposition.{{sfn|Spann|1987|p=24}} Knowing Sertorius was popular with the common people and associated with Marius may have been enough to thwart his ambitions. In any case, Sertorius was a senator by 87&nbsp;BC,{{sfn|Konrad|1994|p=58. See also pp. 59–62 for argumentation that Sertorius served as plebeian tribune in 87 BC}} likely adlected due to his earlier {{cn span |text=quaestorship |reason=iirc adlection of quaestors is a sullan innovation? |date=July 2024}}.

=== Sulla's consulship and the ''bellum Octavianum'' ===
In 88&nbsp;BC, after [[Publius Sulpicius Rufus]] and Marius supplanted his eastern command, Sulla marched his [[Roman legion|legions]] on Rome and took the capital. He took revenge on his enemies and forced Marius into exile, then left [[Italy]] to fight the [[First Mithridatic War]] against [[Mithridates VI of Pontus]]. Sulla did not harm Sertorius, probably because he had not participated in Marius and Rufus' actions.{{sfn|Spann|1987|p=27}} After Sulla left, violence erupted between Sullan loyalists, led by the consul [[Gnaeus Octavius (consul 87 BC)|Gnaeus Octavius]], and the Marians, led by the consul [[Lucius Cornelius Cinna]]. Cinna, as "the enemy of his enemy [Sulla]" and "not so much... an old ally of Marius as the newly emerging leader of those who disapproved of Sulla's coup" represented a re-emergence of Sertorius' political fortunes.{{sfn|Spann|1987|pp=28–29}}{{sfn|Konrad|1994|p=63}} As a result of this, and remembering Sulla's opposition when he ran for tribune, Sertorius declared for the Marian faction.{{sfn|Spann|1987|p=29}}{{sfn|Gruen|1995|p=17}}  

Cinna was driven from Rome in 87&nbsp;BC during the [[Bellum Octavianum]]. Sertorius, as one of his allies, aided him in recruiting ex-legionaries and drumming up enough support to enable him to march on Rome.{{sfn|Spann|1987|p=30}} When Marius returned from exile in [[Roman Africa|Africa]] to aid the Marian cause, Sertorius opposed granting him any command either out of fear his position would be diminished, or because he feared Marius' vindictiveness and what he would do when Rome was retaken.{{sfn|Spann|1987|p=30}} Sertorius advised not to trust Marius, and although he greatly disliked Marius by then, he consented to Marius' return given he came at Cinna's request.{{sfn|Konrad|1994|pp=63, 64, 66-68. Konrad believes it is possible Marius asked to help Cinna, and only when Sertorius raised objection did Cinna claim he had invited Marius in the first place}}

{{quote|"Oh, really? Here I was thinking that Marius had decided for himself to come to Italy, and so I was trying to decide what good it would do. But it turns out there's nothing to discuss. Since after all, you invited him, then you have to receive and employ him. There's no question about it."{{sfn|Plut. ''Sert.''|loc=5.3|}}}}

In October of 87&nbsp;BC, Cinna marched on Rome. During the siege, Sertorius commanded one of Cinna's divisions stationed at the [[Porta Collina|Colline Gate]] and fought an inconclusive battle with troops commanded by Pompeius Strabo.{{sfnm|Spann|1987|1p=31. This battle is the source of the story where a soldier unknowingly kills his own brother, intended to show the tragedy of civil war|Konrad|1994|2p=56-57 argues it is no coincidence that Sertorius was stationed against Pompeius Strabo; since Sertorius may have once served under him, he could more easily attempt to persuade Strabo's army to defect to the Marian side than other Marian leaders}} Sertorius and Marius also bridged the [[Tiber]] to prevent supply from reaching the city by river.{{sfn|Konrad|1994|p=69}} After Octavius surrendered Rome to the forces of Marius, Cinna, and Sertorius, Sertorius abstained from the [[proscriptions]] and killings his fellow commanders engaged in. Sertorius went so far as to rebuke Marius and move Cinna to moderation.{{sfn|Spann|1987|p=32, who also quotes Sallust; "In the midst of the civil war [Sertorius] sought the reputation of a good and just man" (Sallust, ''Hist.'', 1.88, 1.90}} After Marius' death he, probably with Cinna's approval, annihilated Marius' slave army which was still terrorizing Rome.{{sfn|Konrad|1994|p=72}}

=== Civil war against Sulla ===
The years 87–84&nbsp;BC are often described as spent "waiting for Sulla"<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Badian |first=Ernst |date=1962 |title=Waiting for Sulla |journal=Journal of Roman Studies |volume=52 |pages=47–61 |doi=10.2307/297876 |issn=1753-528X}}</ref> and what exactly Sertorius did while Cinna controlled Rome is unclear. He was not sent with [[Gaius Flavius Fimbria (cavalry prefect)|Gaius Flavius Fimbria]] and [[Lucius Valerius Flaccus (consul 86 BC)|Lucius Valerius Flaccus]] east for the [[First Mithridatic War]]. Sertorius certainly served in the government during this time; Cinna may have utilized his skill as a soldier and popularity with the people to quell any remnants of revolt and stabilize Italy, thereby consolidating his power and that of the Marian government. He probably also helped train and levy soldiers for Sulla's inevitable return. Marius died in January 86&nbsp;BC; eventually, Cinna himself was murdered in 84&nbsp;BC, lynched by his own troops. It is probable that Sertorius became praetor in 85 or 84&nbsp;BC.{{sfn|Konrad|1994|pp=74–76}}

[[File:Sulla Glyptothek Munich 309.jpg|thumb|Marble portrait bust thought to be Sulla. Sulla's opposition and disfavour significantly altered the career and fate of Sertorius.]]

On Sulla's return from the East in 83&nbsp;BC a [[Sulla's civil war|civil war]] broke out. Sertorius, as a praetor, steadied the Marian leadership and was among the men chosen to command the anti-Sullan forces against him.<ref>Exsuperantius, ''De Marii, Lepidi,'' 43-44</ref> When the consul [[Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus (consul 83 BC)|Scipio Asiaticus]] marched against Sulla, Sertorius was part of his staff. Sulla arrived in [[Campania]] and found the other consul, [[Gaius Norbanus]], blocking the road to [[Capua]]. At the [[Battle of Mount Tifata]] Sulla inflicted a crushing defeat on Norbanus, with Norbanus losing thousands of men.   

The beaten Norbanus withdrew with the remnants of his army to [[Capua]]. Sulla was stopped in his pursuit by Scipio's advance. However, Scipio was unwilling to risk a battle and started negotiations under a flag of truce. Sulla's motives in agreeing to the negotiations were not sincere,{{sfn|Konrad|1994|p=84}}{{sfn|Strisino|2002|pp=36–37}} in that he likely agreed intending to make Scipio's already disaffected army more likely to defect to him. Sertorius was present at the talks between the commanders, and advocated against letting Sulla's troops fraternize with Scipio's;{{sfn|Konrad|1994|p=82}} he did not trust Sulla and advised Scipio to force a decisive action. Instead, he was sent to Norbanus to explain that an armistice was in force and negotiations were underway. 

Sertorius made a detour along his way and captured the town of [[Sessa Aurunca|Suessa Aurunca]] which had gone over to Sulla.<ref name=":4" /> Sertorius' motives for seizing Suessa are debated. He may have been simply re-establishing the status-quo, or he may have intentionally tried to force an end to negotiations.{{sfnm|Konrad|1994|1pp=83–84 and|Strisino|2002|2p=39 argue it is possible the city defected to Sulla during the armistice (perceiving Scipio's negotiations as a sign of weakness), and thus Sertorius, en route to Norbanus, conquered the town to restore the status quo}}{{sfnm|Spann|1987|1pp=36–37, 151 believes it is also possible Sertorius, who distrusted Sulla and doubted the judgement of Scipio, conquered the city intending to force an end to negotiations. Spann believes that calling Sertorius' seizure of Suessa a "foolish action" is not wholly unjustified, but argues against trusting Appian's account (the only one that survives, based on Sulla's memoirs) which states Sertorius' capture of Suessa as being the main cause of negotiations ending and the defection of the Marian army. So |Konrad|1994|2p=84: "the loss of the Consul's [Scipio's] army was not caused by the seizure of Suessa"}} When Sulla complained to Scipio about this breach of trust by Sertorius, Scipio gave back his hostages as a sign of good faith. Disappointed by the behavior of their commander and unwilling to fight Sulla's battle-hardened veterans, Scipio's troops defected en masse. Scipio and his son were captured by Sulla, who released them after extracting a promise that they would never again fight against him or rejoin Cinna's successor [[Gnaeus Papirius Carbo (consul 85 BC)|Carbo]].{{sfn|Leach|1978|p=25}} 

After Suessa, Sertorius departed to [[Etruria]] where he raised yet another army, some 40 cohorts, as the Etruscans, having gained their Roman citizenship through the Marian regime, were fearful of a Sullan victory.<ref>Exsuperantius, ''De Marii, Lepidi,'' 46-48</ref> In 82&nbsp;BC, Marius' son, [[Gaius Marius the Younger]], became consul without having held the offices that a candidate for the consulship should have held, and at the unconstitutional age of 27. Sertorius, who probably qualified for the office, objected but his opinion was ignored.{{sfn|Konrad|1994|p=85}} Following this appointment, Sertorius returned to Rome and castigated the Marian leadership for their lack of action in combatting Sulla, pointed out Sulla's bravery, and stated his belief that unless met directly soon Sulla would inevitably destroy them. Plutarch sums up the events:

{{quote|Cinna was murdered and against the wishes of Sertorius, and against the law, the younger Marius took the consulship while such [ineffectual] men as [[Gnaeus Papirius Carbo (consul 85 BC)|Carbo]], [[Gaius Norbanus|Norbanus]], and [[Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus (consul 83 BC)|Scipio]] had no success in stopping Sulla's advance on Rome, so the Marian cause was being ruined and lost; cowardice and weakness by the generals played its part, and treachery did the rest, and there was no reason why Sertorius should stay to watch things going from bad to worse through the inferior judgement of men with superior power.{{sfn|Plut. ''Sert.''|loc=6}}}}