Quintus Sertorius (121-72), a native of the little Sabine village of
Nursia under the Apennines, had joined the party of Marius, and served
under him in the campaigns against the Cimbri and Teutones. In 97 he
served in Spain, and became acquainted with the country with which his
fame is chiefly associated. In 91 he was Quaestor in Cisalpine Gaul.
He was a partisan of Marius during his troubles with Sulla, and on
Sulla's return from the East he left Rome for Spain, where he took the
lead of the Marian party. His bravery, kindness, and eloquence pleased
the Spaniards. Many Roman refugees and deserters joined him. He
defeated one of Sulla's generals, and drove out of Lusitania
(Portugal) METELLUS PIUS,[Footnote: Son of Metellus Numidicus. He
received the agnomen of Pius on account of the love which he displayed
for his father, whom he begged the people to recall from banishment in
99.] who had been specially sent against him from Rome.

The object of Sertorius was to establish a government in Spain after
the Roman model. He formed a Senate of three hundred members, and
founded at Osca a school for native children. He was strict and severe
towards his soldiers, but kind to the people. A white fawn was his
favorite pet and constant follower. He ruled Spain for six years. In
77 he was joined by PERPERNA a Roman officer. The same year Pompey,
then a young man, was sent to co-operate with Metellus. Sertorius
proved more than a match for both of these generals, and defeated them
near Saguntum.

The position of the Romans was becoming critical, for Sertorius now
formed a league with the pirates of the Mediterranean. He also entered
into negotiations with Mithradátes, and opened correspondence with the