v09_0155 - GUERRE SOCIALE Denier

SOCIAL WAR

(90-88 BC)

The Marsic war began after the revolt of Asculum at the end of 91 BC. The peoples of Picenium, Samnium and Apulia rose up against the authority of Rome and the injustice of the Senate. Rome refused to give citizenship to the allied cities of Italy which revolted in 90 BC, forming the Confederation of the Marsians, made up of eight peoples from central Italy. They chose a capital, Corfinium, which they renamed Italia. It is the beginning of the Social War. The Senate granted freedom of the city to part of the allies to try to break the League but, the following year, Rome was shaken, the consuls beaten. L. Porcius Cato was killed fighting the Italians. Sylla, in 89 BC, won the victory of Nola in Campania over the allies and seized Bovianum, in Samnium, seat of the assemblies of the allies. He then received the title of "Felix" (happy). The death of Pomponius Silo and Rome's leniency towards the rebellious cities ended the Social War in 88 BC..