13 Facts About 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 BC.

Lucius Hirtuleius was a member of Sertorius's entourage, and helped him establish an independent state in Hispania.

Lucius Hirtuleius was technically Sertorius' quaestor.

Lucius Hirtuleius became Sertorius's most trusted lieutenant during what was to become the war on the Iberian peninsula.

In 80 BC, while Sertorius was consolidating his power in Hispania Ulterior, Lucius Hirtuleius was sent against Marcus Domitius Calvinus, the governor of Hispania Citerior, and it was late in the year when Domitius arrived in Ulterior.

Possibly while combatting Domitius, Lucius Hirtuleius dug a ditch in a steep valley and set wooden ramparts in it, which he then set on fire, enabling his escape.

Such tactics likely demoralized Domitius' army; eventually, Lucius Hirtuleius met Domitius and defeated him at Consabura on the banks of the river Anas.

Manlius then retreated, but Lucius Hirtuleius apparently pursued and besieged him at Ilerda before he eventually escaped across the Pyrenees.

Lucius Hirtuleius tried to defeat his opponent in a battle near the Roman colony of Italica.

Lucius Hirtuleius observed that Hirtuleius had posted his strongest units in the centre of his battle line and decided to use this to his advantage.

Lucius Hirtuleius lost 20,000 men and fled north to join his commander Sertorius who was squaring off against Pompey in the Battle of Sucro.

Metellus followed Lucius Hirtuleius wanting to make the most of his victory by trapping Sertorius between Pompey and himself.

Several weeks later Lucius Hirtuleius faced Metellus again, commanding one of Sertorius's wings at the Battle of Saguntum.