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 Mithradates, and opened correspondence with the
slaves in Italy, who were rebelling.

But intrigues and jealousies arose in his camp. The outcome of these was
that he was treacherously murdered by Perperna at a banquet in 72, and
with his death fell the Marian party in Spain.

Meanwhile a dangerous enemy was threatening Italy within her own
borders. In 73 a band of gladiators, under the leadership of one of
their number, named SPARTACUS escaped from the training school at Capua
and took up a strong position on Mount Vesuvius. They were joined by
large numbers of slaves and outcasts of every description, and were soon
in a position to defeat two Praetors who were sent against them.

The next year they assumed the offensive; and Spartacus found himself at
the head of 100,000 men. Four generals sent against him were defeated;
and for two years he ravaged Italy at will, and even threatened Rome.
But intestine division showed itself in his ranks; his lieutenants grew
jealous of him, and his strength began to wane.

In 71 the command of the war was given to CRASSUS, who finished it in
six months. Spartacus fell, fighting bravely, near Brundisium. Pompey,
returning from the Sertorian war in Spain, met five thousand of those
who had escaped from the array of Spartacus. These he slew to a man.
Crassus pointed the moral of his victory by hanging, along the road from
Rome to Capua, six thousand captives whom he had taken.

Mithradates meanwhile, taking advantage of the troubles at Rome, was
again in arms, and in 74 LUCIUS LICINIUS LUCULLUS was sent against him.

Lucullus, of plebeian birth, first distinguished himself in the Social
War, where he gained the favor of Sulla, and accompanied him, as
Quaestor, in his c