The death of Drusus drove the Italians to despair. Eight nations
entered into a close alliance, chose CORFINIUM, in the Pelignian
Apennines, as their capital, and formed a Federal Republic, to which
they gave the name ITALIA. All Italians were to be citizens of
Corfinium, and here was to be the place of assembly and the Senate-
House.

Rome, in the face of this danger, acted promptly and with resolution.
The Consuls, Lucius Julius Caesar and Publius Rutilius Lupus, both
took the field; with each were five lieutenants, among whom were
Marius and Sulla.

This war (90-88), called the SOCIAL WAR, i.e. the war with the allies
(_Socii_), was at first disastrous to Rome. The allies overran
Campania, defeated the Romans several times, and entered into
negotiations with the Northern Italians, whose fidelity began to
waver.

It is not strange, therefore, that opinions at Rome began to be turned
in the direction of a more liberal policy. It was decided to make
concessions. Towards the close of the year 90, the Consul Caesar
carried the JULIAN LAW, by which the Roman franchise was extended to
all who had not yet revolted. The next year this law was supplemented
by the PLAUTIAN PAPIRIAN LAW, which allowed every citizen of an
Italian town the franchise, if he handed in his name to the Praetor at
Rome within sixty days. About the same time was passed another law,
the CALPURNIAN, which permitted Roman magistrates in the field to
bestow the franchise on all who wished it. These laws resulted in
disorganizing the rebellion. The Samnites and Lucanians held out the