Editing Quintus Sertorius (section)

=== 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}}