Sertorius   

dispersed about and remained still in many parts of Italy, they in
a short time mustered up a force against Octavius sufficient to give
him battle again, and Marius, also, now coming by sea out of Africa,
proffered himself to serve under Cinna, as a private soldier under
his consul and commander.
Most were for the immediate reception of Marius, but Sertorius openly
declared against it, whether he thought that Cinna would not now pay
as much attention to himself, when a man of higher military repute
was present, or feared that the violence of Marius would bring all
things to confusion, by his boundless wrath and vengeance after victory.
He insisted upon it with Cinna that they were already victorious,
that there remained little to be done, and that if they admitted Marius,
he would deprive them of the glory and advantage of the war, as there
was no man less easy to deal with, or less to be trusted in, as a
partner in power. Cinna answered, that Sertorius rightly judged the
affair, but that he himself was at a loss, and ashamed, and knew not
how to reject him, after he had sent for him to share in his fortunes.
To which Sertorius immediately replied, that he had thought that Marius
came into Italy of his own accord, and therefore had deliberated as
to what might be most expedient, but that Cinna ought not so much
as to have questioned whether he should accept him whom he had already
invited, but should have honourably received and employed him, for
his word once passed left no room for debate. Thus Marius being sent
for by Cinna, and their forces being divided into three parts, under
Cinna, Marius, and Sertorius, the war was brought to a successful
conclusion; but those about Cinna and Marius committing all manner
of insolence and cruelty, made the Romans think the evils of war a
golden time in comparison. On the contrary, it is reported of Sertorius
that he never slew any man in his anger to satisfy his own private
revenge, nor ever insulted over any one whom he had overcome, but
was much offended with Marius, and often privately entreated Cinna
to use his power more moderately. And in the end, when the slaves
whom Marius had freed at his landing to increase his army, being made
not only his fellow-soldiers in the war, but also now his guard in
his usurpation, enriched and powerful by his favour, either by the
command or permission of Marius, or by their own lawless violence,
committed all sorts of crimes, killed their masters, ravished their
masters' wives and abused their children, their conduct appeared so
intolerable to Sertorius that he slew the whole body of them, four
thousand in number, commanding his soldiers to shoot them down with
their javelins, as they lay encamped together.
Afterwards when Marius died, and Cinna shortly after was slain, when
the younger Marius made himself consul against Sertorius's wishes
and contrary to law, when Carbo, Norbanus, and Scipio fought unsuccessfully
against Sylla, now advancing to Rome, when much was lost by the cowardice
and remissness of the commanders, but more by the treachery of their
party, when with the want of prudence in the chief leaders, all went
so ill that his presence could do no good, in the end when Sylla had
placed his camp near to Scipio, and by pretending friendship, and
putting him in hopes of a peace, corrupted his army, and Scipio could
not be made sensible of this, although often forewarned of it by Sertorius-
at last he utterly despaired of Rome, and hasted into Spain, that
by taking possession there beforehand, he might secure a refuge to
his friends from their misfortunes at home. Having bad weather in
his journey, and travelling through mountainous countries, and the
inhabitants stopping the way, and demanding a toll and money for passage,
those who were with him were out of all patience at the indignity
and shame it would be for a proconsul of Rome to pay tribute to a
crew of wretched barbarians. But he little regarded their censure,
and slighting that which had only the appearance of an indecency,
told them he must buy time, the most precious of all things to those
who go upon great enterprises; and pacifying the barbarous people
with money, he hastened his journey, and took possession of Spain,
a country flourishing and populous, abounding with young men fit to