The 70's BC

Champions those discontent with Sullan settlement
Opposed by Q.Lutatius Catulus cos. 78
- Son of consular colleague and later bitter enemy of Marius
- Upholder of Sullan settlement
Takes up cause of rural rebels to n. of Rome
- Poorly organized forces of rural troublemakers no match for proper army
Catulus sends Pompey as legate against Lepidus
- Pompey son of cos. 89, who was major player in civil war of 87
- As young man, Pompey "illegally" raised army for Sulla in his invasion of Italy
- Pompey sent by Sulla in 82 to subdue Sicily, Africa
- Executed consul of 82
Pompey easily disposes of Lepidus
Refuses to disband army, extorts command in Spain from senate
- Troops remain loyal to general in dispute with "legitimate gov."

Major supporter of Cinna and Marius in 87
Held Spain during Sulla's invasion of Italy
Holds Spain against forces sent by Sulla
Spain refuge for those threatened by Sulla
Q. Caecilius Metellus Pius cos. 80 sent against Sertorius
- Metellus colleague of Sulla as cos. 80
- Major supporter of Sulla
Metellus makes no headway
Pompey joins Metellus in 77
War ends only in 72 when Sertorius is assassinated

Agitation against Sullan settlement; by end of decade:
- Tribunate restored
- Court juries split with equites
Spartacus leads slave revolt in 74-71
- Starts with gladiators in Campania
- Spreads to rural slaves, huge armies formed
- Several raw Roman armies defeated (including both consuls of 72)
- M. Licinius Crassus pr. 73 ends revolt
Pompey returns from Spain in 71
- Extorts consulship though never held office before, underage
Pompey and Crassus cos. 70
- Don't get along

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