Warmatrix

Quintus Sertorius was one of the most successful Roman generals. His fame was enlarged by and is largely based on the depiction that Plutarch gave of him; the real Sertorius probably was less knightly.
He was born in 126 BCE, or possibly a few years later, in Nursia into a minor aristocratic family. His father died early, but his mother poured all her love and support into her child. He went to Rome but was regarded as a 'rude country boy' by Cicero and did make much of an impression on others either. Possibly because of his lack of his success he switched to the army, appearing for the first time in 105 BCE in Hispania. He gained much experience in Hispania, Gaul and Noricum, serving under Gaius Marius and others.
His rank steadily rose, from military tribune in 97 BCE, quaestor in 91 BCE and senator afterwards. For several years he was heavily involved in the fighting between Marius, Cinna and Sulla, siding against the latter. He fought the Sulla faction in Italy but was unsuccessful. The senate made him propraetor for Hispania, where he had served before. There he made friends with the local tribes by abolishing the heavy taxes of his predecessors. His enemies pursued and managed to drive him to Africa, where he sides with pirates for a while and gathered strength. In 80 BCE he sailed back to Hispania.
Back in Rome, Sulla had made himself master of the senate and banned every fugutive supporter of Marius from returning. In west, Sertorius was the main rebel who opposed the dictator. His battles against Pompey and other commanders working for Sulla became known as the Sertorian War. He defeated his opponents again and again, but they were stubborn Romans and had far greater resources at their disposal. Sertorius held his ground because he treated the Hispanians well, trying to civilize them into becoming Romans instead of taxing them dry. He did this so well that Hispania effectively remained an independent Roman state for 6 years.
Plutarch wrote down several stories that highlight Sertorius' daring and cunning. After the Gyriscenians had raided the Roman camp where he was stationed, he did not withdraw but disguised his men and counterattacked; he defeated a hill tribe by having the wind blow dust into their caves. In the Sertorian War he often won battles when outnumbered and when they pressure became too great, smoothly shifted from fighting pitched battles to guerilla tactics.
Around 75 BCE his enemies finally started to win some battles. Sertorius resorted to harsh measures to keep his people in line. His acumen declined and he started to lose support. Threats of assassination alienated him from his Romand subordinates and seeking refuge with Iberians. In 73 BCE the threat was made true; he was murdered at a feast.
It seems that Sertorius bitterly resented his fate as an exile and rebel, longing to return to Rome. Not long after his murder public opinion took up that sentiment, remembering only his virtues, not his vices. But the man himself was no longer there to enjoy that. His private empire quickly crumbled and was re-absorbed into the Roman empire.