Battle of Fidentia (82 BC) explained

Conflict:Battle of Fidentia
Partof:Sulla's Second Civil War
Date:September, 82 BC
Place:Fidentia, Roman Republic
Result:Optimate Victory
Combatant1:Optimates
Combatant2:Populares
Commander1:Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus
Commander2:Lucius Quincius
Strength1:10,000 Legionaries[1]
Strength2:25,000 Legionaries
Casualties1:Low
Casualties2:~18,000 dead

The Battle of Fidentia took place in September of 82 BC at Fidentia during the context of Sulla's Second Civil War. The battle pitted the Optimates under the command of Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus against the Populares forces commanded by Lucius Quincius. The battle resulted in a decisive Optimate victory.

Context

See main article: Sulla's Second Civil War.

At the beginning of September, the Optimate general, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius sent Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus (younger brother of Lucius Licinius Lucullus) at the head of two Legions to open up a second front against the Populares at Placentia. Metellus remained at Faventia with four Legions and waited for and defeated an army commanded by Gaius Norbanus Balbus who marched from Gaul at the Battle of Faventia.[2]

The battle

After being informed of this victory, Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus at once attacked the camp of Lucius Quincius, the second in command of Norbanus Balbus who had previously marched to (and was defeated at) Fidentia with 5 Legions. His numerical disadvantage not withstanding, his troops fought bravely and obtained victory, taking the Populare camp. The Populares lost around 18,000 soldiers whilst the Optimates lost relatively few.[1] [3]

Consequences

After this battle, the presence of the Populare threat to the Optimates in the north of Italy was completely destroyed. In the south, Sulla would soon win another victory for his cause at the Battle of the Colline Gate which largely ended the war.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. [Plutarch]
  2. [Theodor Mommsen|Mommsen]
  3. [Paulus Orosius]