The Social War, 91–87 BC

Abstract

Abstract The Social War was fought by the Italians not to free themselves from Roman rule but to be fully assimilated into the Roman state with citizen rights. In 91 bc the Roman tribune Livius Drusus was murdered after attempting to grant Italians citizenship. The communities of central and southern Italy broke out in open revolt, but without the element of surprise. In the beginning of 90 the Romans lost several fortresses to treachery, but, though the Marsi ambushed and killed a consul, they could not exploit their success. The Samnites, meanwhile, attempted to destroy the Latin colonies that encircled them, but a stalemate soon ensued. In 89, fearing the spread of the revolt, the Romans offered to grant citizenship to all who wanted it, effectively removing the motive for the rebellion. Asculum continued to resist, but, after beating off several attempts to invest the town, its commander despaired of victory and committed suicide. The Marsi fought a final battle near the Fucine Lake, killing another consul, but Roman concessions ultimately extinguished their resistance. In the south, Nola held out until the embers of the Social War were subsumed by a new conflict between Sulla and Marius.