Battle of Mount Tifata

Battle of Mount Tifata
Part of Sulla's Second Civil War
Sulla Coin
Date November 83 BC Location near Mount Tifata 41°3′57.110″N 14°10′12.050″E Result Sullan victory
Belligerents
Optimates	Populares
Commanders and leaders
Lucius Cornelius Sulla[1]	Gaius Norbanus[1]
Strength
40,000[1]	60,000[1]
Casualties and losses
124 killed[1]	7,000 killed[1] 6,000 captured[1]
class=notpageimage| Location within Italy

The Battle of Mount Tifata was fought in 83 BC as part of Sulla's Second Civil War.[1]

History

It was fought in the foothills of Mount Tifata,[1] a spur of the Apennines,[2] close to the River Vulturnus, and is alternatively known as the Battle of Casilinum.[1] The location of the battle suggests that Sulla was moving on Capua.[1] The Optimate forces were led by Lucius Cornelius Sulla and his officer Quintus Caecilius Metellus, while the Populares were led by Gaius Norbanus.[1] The battle started when Sulla “immediately attacked” Norbanus, even though Velleius claims Norbanus attacked Sulla.[1] As an army under Scipio was currently moving to support Norbanus it is likely that Sulla attacked Norbanus by surprise before he could link up with Scipio.[1] In total Scipio's and Norbanus’ armies numbered 100,000 as compared to at most 40,000 under Sulla.[1] At Mount Tifata, Sulla had the bulk of his army with him, while Norbanus commanded 60,000 men (the rest were with Scipio). Sulla was victorious.[1][2]

References

1. Sampson, Gareth C. (2013-09-09). "6". The collapse of Rome : Marius, Sulla and the first Civil War, 91-70 BC. Barnsley, South Yorkshire. pp. Mostly section: Battle of Mount Tifata (Casilinum). ISBN 9781473826854. OCLC 893910287.
2. Beesley, A. H. (2017). The Gracchi, Marius and Sulla. Pinnacle Press.