Source edition
Plutarch. Plutarch's Lives, Vol. VIII. Perrin, Bernadotte, editor. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; London: William Heinemann Ltd., 1919.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a biography depicting the turbulent life of Quintus Sertorius, a Roman general who became an exile during the chaotic late Roman Republic. Born into a noble family in the Sabinum region, Sertorius distinguished himself through military exploits in Gaul and Iberia before fleeing to Hispania to escape the civil strife between Marius and Sulla. Rising to leadership among the local Lusitanians, he consistently outmaneuvered the formidable Roman forces led by Metellus and Pompey through brilliant guerrilla tactics and clever psychological ploys, such as utilizing a sacred white fawn to command the respect of the locals. However, amidst prolonged conflict, he faced growing jealousy and betrayal from his own Roman subordinates, culminating in his assassination through a conspiracy led by Perpenna. This narrative vividly portrays the solitary struggle and tragic downfall of a highly capable commander who, despite his nobility and military genius, met a premature end.