Even the greatest of empires and kingdoms can be weakened by internal strife and civil war. The formidable power of Rome was no exception. Throughout its history—from the Republic to the Empire days—it saw numerous usurpers and rebels, as well as countless civil wars. One that truly left a mark on its history was the Sertorian War, which raged between 80 and 72 BC. A major civil war, it threatened to rock the very foundations of the Roman Republic , causing a major crisis. How did the government of Rome handle this dire threat which came from its very own ranks?
The Sertorian War Cleaves Rome in Two
During the 1st century BC, Rome was dealing with one problem after another. This period was part of the wider Crisis of the Roman Republic , which itself lasted from 134 BC to 44 BC, and culminated in the shift from the Republic to the Empire.
The Sertorian War was one of the more significant conflicts that took place during this period. It was named after its primary instigator and leader, Quintus Sertorius, a talented Roman general and a prominent politician. Occurring between 80 BC and 72 BC, the Sertorian War primarily took place in the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal), which was then called Hispania by the Romans.
The roots of this civil war lie in the death of Gaius Marius. Marius was one of the most famous Roman generals and consuls, who greatly reformed the Roman army , making it the most formidable fighting machine in the world. He was assassinated in 86 BC, however,…
