Battle of Fidentia (82 BC)

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Battle of Fidentia
Part of
Fidentia, Roman Republic
Result Optimate Victory
Belligerents
Optimates
Populares
Commanders and leaders Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus Lucius QuinciusStrength 10,000
Legionaries[1]
25,000 Legionaries[1]Casualties and losses Low[1] ~18,000 dead[1]

The Battle of Fidentia took place in September of 82 BC at

Populares forces commanded by Lucius Quincius
. The battle resulted in a decisive Optimate victory.

Context

At the beginning of September, the Optimate general,

The battle

After being informed of this victory, Marcus Terentius Varro Lucullus at once attacked the camp of

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,

Battle of the Colline Gate which largely ended the war.[2]

See also

  • Sulla's Second Civil War
  • Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Plutarch, Sulla, 27, 7-8.
  2. ^ a b Mommsen, Historia de Roma, vol. 3, p. 347.
  3. Paulus Orosius
    , Histories, 5, 20, 5.