Battle of Firmum explained

Conflict:Battle of Firmum
Partof:Social War (91-88 BC)
Date:90 BC
Place:Città di Fermo
Coordinates:43.1608°N 13.7158°W
Result:Roman Victory
Commander1:Gnaeus Pompeius Strabo
Publius Sulpicius Rufus
Commander2:Lafrenius
Casualties2:Unknown but included Lafrenius

The Battle of Firmum was fought between a Roman force under Gnaeus Pompey Strabo and a rebel force led by Lafrenius.[1] [2] It took place during the Social War and was a Roman victory.

Having been defeated by a much larger rebel force at Mount Falernus and then besieged, Pompey was in a precarious situation. When he heard more rebels were approaching he launched two sallies. One was to attack the rebels head on while the other, led by Sulpicius, attacked their rear.[3] Despite successfully pulling off the manoeuvre the battle didn't turn in the Romans favour, the result remaining up in the air until some Romans managed to set fire to the rebel camp. Seeing their camp burning the rebels lost heart and fled in disorder. During the battle the rebel commander, Lafrenius, was killed.

Notes and References

  1. Book: The collapse of Rome : Marius, Sulla and the first Civil War, 91-70 BC. Sampson, Gareth C.. 9781473826854. Barnsley, South Yorkshire. 893910287. 2013-09-09.
  2. Keaveney. Arthur. 1983. Rheinisches Museum für Philologie. 126. 3/4. 277. 0035-449X. 41233487. Caesars in the Social War.
  3. Web site: Appian • The Civil Wars — Book I. penelope.uchicago.edu. 2019-12-03.