Battle of Sacriporto

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

The Battle of Sacriporto was a battle that took place in April of 82 BC during the context of Sulla's Second Civil War. The battle pitted the Optimates under the command of Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix against the Populares forces commanded by Gaius Marius the Younger. The battle resulted in a decisive Optimate victory.

Context

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

After signing the peace treaty at Dardanos, Sulla returned to Rome with the intention of confronting his other political opponents, the Populares. They were led by Gaius Marius the Younger and by Gnaeus Papirius Carbo. Sulla therefore invaded Italia in 83 BC, routing various Populares armies. Encamping for the winter, both sides made preparations to continue the fighting with the start of the Spring war season when the war became intensified and bloody.

The Battle

According to historical accounts, one night in April, Sulla had a dream that Gaius Marius told his son, Gaius Marius the Younger, that he should not give battle to Sulla's forces the following day. Encouraged by this premonition, Sulla decided to immediately give combat and called on Gnaeus Cornelius Dolabella who was encamped nearby. Dolabella's army was exhausted from marching in an intense rainstorm and the military tribunes had ordered that the army make camp rather than give battle. Emboldened by the enemy's lack of offensive action, Gaius Marius decided to attack thinking he would be able to surprise the Optimates and win the day. The Optimates instead rallied to their units and gave battle against troops of Marius. Their defense was so fierce that Marius was eventually obliged to retire from the fray.[1]

Consequences

The surviving Populares forces, including Marius, took refuge at Preneste to escape the pursuing Sullan forces. Sulla arrived shortly thereafter and besieged the city. The city fell on 4 November, holding out surprisingly until all of Italy was under Sulla's direct control.[2]

See also

References

  1. Appian, The Civil Wars, 1, 87.
  2. Appian, The Civil Wars, 1, 88.

Bibliography

Classic Sources

Modern Sources

  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Angelo Luttazzi, Sacriporto. Luogo della battaglia combattuta tra Silla ed il figlio di Mario nell’82 a.C., “Studi e Rcerche sull’Ager Signinus”, 3, Colleferro 2004.

<templatestyles src="Asbox/styles.css"></templatestyles>