Cataclysm 90 BC: The Forgotten War That Almost Destroyed Rome

The book explores the unknown story of Rome's Social War of 90-88 BC, where it was outnumbered and out-generaled by its Italian allies. The war was a clash of generals, with the Roman rivals Gaius Marius and Cornelius Sulla spending as much time in political intrigue as combat. The Italian leaders had to manage a fractious coalition of peoples, including some who sought negotiation and others who wanted the total extermination of Rome. The interplay of personalities, high-stakes politics, full-scale warfare, assassination, personal sacrifice, and desperate measures makes for a taut, fast-paced tale.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 29 September 2021
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

The late Republic is often seen as a period of unparalleled military triumphs for Rome, conquering foreign foes with ease. However, at the beginning of the first century BC, Rome found itself facing a formidable enemy less than a week's march from the Capitol. Despite being outnumbered and out-generaled, the Romans managed to avoid a devastating attack and sack of their city through a swift surrender. Before this pivotal moment, three Roman consuls had fallen in battle, and two Roman armies had suffered significant defeats, not in distant lands but in the heartland of Italy. The identity of this enemy and the army that could challenge the seemingly invincible legions that had conquered Spain to the Euphrates remained a mystery. Why has this remarkable success been largely forgotten today? These questions are explored in depth in this book, a comprehensive military and political history of the Social War of 90-88 BC. This book delves into the story of the revolt of Rome's Italian allies, known as the socii in Latin. These Italian allies possessed the same arms, training, and military systems as the Roman army, neutralizing Rome's usual military advantages. The war descended into a clash of generals, with the Roman rivals Gaius Marius and Cornelius Sulla spending more time engaging in political intrigue than engaging in combat with the enemy. The Italian leaders faced the challenge of managing a diverse coalition of peoples, some seeking negotiation, while others demanded nothing less than the complete extermination of Rome and its inhabitants. The interplay of personalities, including young Cicero, Cato, and Pompey, high-stakes politics, full-scale warfare, assassinations, personal sacrifices, and desperate measures, all combined to shape the course of this pivotal period in Roman history.

Weight: 324g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399085182