Lucius Hirtuleius

Lucius Hirtuleius was a legate of Quintus Sertorius during the Sertorian War, in which he fought from 80 BC, until his death in 75.^[1] He is considered Sertorius' most trusted lieutnant, his second-in-command, and was often given independent commands.^[2]

Contents

• 
  1 Biography
  


• 
  2 See also
  


• 
  3 Notes
  


• 
  4 Bibliography
  

Biography

Iberia, showing the Roman Provinces in the time of Hirtuleius.

Not much is know of Hituleius' early life and career. He shows up in history on the staff of Quintus Sertorius during his propraetorship of Spain. In 82 BC, during the second civil war between the 'Marian' faction and Sulla, Sertorius one of the more prominent leaders of the party, and those loyal to him, were sent to Hispania to establish their factions rule there. Hirtuleius was a member of Sertorius' entourage, and helped him establish an independent state in Hispania.^[3]

Hirtuleius became Sertorius' most trusted lieutenant during what was to become the Sertorian War. While Sertorius consolidated his power in Hispania Ulterior, Hirtuleius was sent against and defeated Marcus Domitius Calvinus, the governor of Hispania Citerior (Hither Spain), at Consubura (south of Toledo).^[4] In 78, the new governor of Hispania Citerior, Quintus Calidius, showed so little interest in defending the province, that Lucius Manlius, the propraetor (governor) of Gallia Transalpina (Transalpine Gaul), was called on to intervene, only to be defeated by Hirtuleius at Ilerda.^[3][5]

When Pompeius arrived in Iberia in 76 BC, he was humiliated by Sertorius at the battle of Lauron.^[6] The next year Sertorius decided to face Metellus and left Pompey to two of his legates, Perpenna and Herennius. Unfortunately for Sertorius, they were defeated at Valentia. Sertorius now took over the command against Pompey himself and left Hirtuleius to face Metellus. Hirtuleius tried to defeat Metellus in a battle near Italica but Metellus outgeneraled him and massacred a great number of his troops.^[7] In the following year, Hirtuleius faced Metellus again, at the battle of Saguntum (though this is not entirely certain^[8][9]). Hirtuleius' forces were pushed back, and he died in the fighting.^[8]

See also

• Hirtuleia (gens)

Notes

1. 
   ^ Spann, pp. 72, 171.
   


2. 
   ^ Philip Matyszak, Sertorius and the Struggle for Spain
   


3. 
   ^ ^ab Spann, p. 72.
   


4. 
   ^ Scullard, p. 90.
   


5. 
   ^ Orosius, Contra Paganos, 5.23.
   


6. 
   ^ Plutarch, Life of Sertorius, 18; Plutarch, Life of Pompey, 18; Frontinus, Stratagems, 2.5.31; John Leach, Pompey the Great, pp.226-227; Philip Matyszak, Sertorius and the Struggle for Spain, pp.96-101.
   


7. 
   ^ Frontinus, Stratagems, 2.1.2 and 2.3.5; Scullard, p. 91.
   


8. 
   ^ ^ab Spann, p. 110.
   


9. 
   ^ Spann, Saguntum vs Segontia, Historia, 33 (1984).
   

Bibliography

• Howard H. Scullard, From the Gracchi to Nero: A History of Rome from 133 B.C. to A.D. 68, Psychology Press (1982).


• Philip O. Spann, Quintus Sertorius and the Legacy of Sulla, University of Arkansas Press (1987).


• Philip Matyszak, Sertorius and the Struggle for Spain, Pen & Sword Books Ltd (2013).

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