Battle of Lauron facts for kids

The Battle of Lauron was a major fight that happened in 76 BC. It was part of the Sertorian War, a conflict within the Roman Republic. In this battle, a Roman general named Quintus Sertorius led a rebel army against another famous Roman general, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, also known as Pompey. Sertorius and his rebels won this battle.

What Caused the Battle of Lauron?

The Roman Civil Wars Begin

Around 88 BC, a Roman general named Lucius Cornelius Sulla marched his army into Rome. This started a period of civil wars in the Roman Republic. Quintus Sertorius was a supporter of Sulla's rival, Gaius Marius. Sertorius fought against Sulla's side.

Sertorius's Journey to Hispania

After Marius died, Sertorius felt his side was losing. In 82 BC, he left Italy and went to Hispania (modern-day Spain and Portugal), which was his assigned province. However, Sulla's side won the war in Italy. In 81 BC, Sulla sent an army to take Hispania from Sertorius.

Sertorius and his men were forced out of Hispania. They ended up in Mauretania (North Africa). There, a fierce Iberian tribe called the Lusitanians asked Sertorius to lead them. They wanted his help to fight against the Roman governor sent by Sulla.

Sertorius Returns to Hispania

Sertorius agreed to help the Lusitanians. In 80 BC, he returned to Hispania. Soon after, he defeated a Roman general named Lucius Fufidius. This victory helped Sertorius gain more support. He continued to defeat several Roman armies and pushed his enemies out of Hispania.

Rome Sends More Armies

Sertorius's success worried the Roman Senate in Rome. They sent a large army led by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius to fight him. Sertorius used clever guerrilla warfare tactics. He wore down Metellus's army. Meanwhile, one of Sertorius's commanders defeated another Roman governor.

In 76 BC, Rome decided to send an even larger army. This army was led by the famous general Pompey. Around the same time, Sertorius gained more strength. Another Roman general, Marcus Perpenna, joined him with his own army.

Sertorius Targets Lauron

With his forces stronger, Sertorius decided to attack cities on the eastern coast of Hispania. These cities supported his enemies. His first target was the city of Lauron.

The Battle of Lauron Begins

Sertorius and Pompey Arrive

Lauron was an important city. It was located between Pompey's army and Metellus's army. Sertorius wanted to capture Lauron to stop Pompey from joining forces with Metellus. He also wanted to punish Lauron for supporting his enemies.

Pompey wanted to quickly defeat Sertorius and end the war. So, both generals marched towards Lauron. Sertorius arrived first and began to surround the city.

Pompey's Confidence

Pompey had a strong army of 30,000 foot soldiers and 1,000 cavalry (soldiers on horseback). He was very confident he would win. When he arrived, he set up his camp close to Sertorius's camp. He hoped this would force Sertorius into a direct battle.

Pompey even sent a message to the people of Lauron. He told them to watch from their city walls to see Sertorius get trapped. Sertorius found this amusing. He joked that Pompey, who had learned from Sulla, was about to get another lesson from him.

Sertorius's Trap

Sertorius decided to set a trap for Pompey. He sent his light troops and cavalry to bother Pompey's soldiers who were out looking for food (foragers). He told his men to focus on the foragers nearby. They were to leave the Pompeians in areas further away alone.

Eventually, Pompey's foragers got tired of the constant attacks. They started going to the more distant areas to find food. This was exactly what Sertorius wanted.

During the night, Sertorius sent a large force to set an ambush. This force included 10 groups of heavily armed soldiers and 10 groups of light soldiers. They were led by Octavius Gracinus and Tarquitius Priscus. They also had 2,000 cavalry.

The Battle Unfolds

Pompey's Foragers Attacked

Pompey's foragers had been out all night gathering supplies. As they headed back to their camp, they were suddenly attacked by Sertorius's light-armed Iberian soldiers. The Pompeians tried to get into battle formation. But before they could, Sertorius's heavy infantry charged out of the woods.

This charge broke the Roman line. The entire foraging party ran towards the safety of Pompey's camp. Sertorius's cavalry then chased after them. This turned their retreat into a terrible slaughter. A group of 250 cavalry also rode towards Pompey's camp, killing every Pompeian they met.

Pompey Sends Help

When Pompey realized his foragers were in trouble, he sent one of his commanders, Decimus Laelius, with his legion (a large group of soldiers). Laelius's legion met Sertorius's cavalry and pushed them back.

Then, they met Sertorius's infantry. As they were getting ready to fight the infantry, Sertorius's cavalry attacked them from behind. The cavalry had circled around them. The legion was shocked by this unexpected attack. Then, Sertorius's infantry attacked them from the front. Like the foragers, they broke and ran, and the killing continued.

Pompey's Difficult Choice

By this time, Pompey was leading his entire army out of camp. He was preparing to rescue his men. But then, Sertorius brought out his remaining troops and got them ready for battle.

Pompey now faced a very difficult choice. If he marched to rescue his men, Sertorius could attack his army from behind or the side. This would be disastrous. If he attacked Sertorius directly, his retreating foragers and Laelius's legion would likely be destroyed. He would also have to fight a very difficult battle.

Pompey's only smart move was to stay where he was. He was forced to watch as his men were cut down right in front of him. Pompey's army lost 10,000 men.

After the Battle

The morale of Pompey's army was very low. They stayed in their camp while Sertorius burned down the city of Lauron. It was only when Metellus and his army arrived that Sertorius stopped attacking Pompey. Sertorius did not want to be caught between two Roman armies, so he had to pull back.

The Battle of Lauron was a great victory for Sertorius. However, it was not the final battle. Pompey's army was still a strong force. The war in Hispania continued for several more years. It only ended when some of Sertorius's own men turned against him and killed him.

Ancient Sources

• Plutarch, Life of Pompey, 18.3.
• Plutarch, Life of Sertorius, 18.
• Frontinus, Stratagems 2.5.31.

Modern Sources

• John Leach, Pompey the Great p 44 and pp 226-227.
• Philip Matyszak, Sertorius and the Struggle for Spain pp 96-101.
• Philip Spann, Quintus Sertorius and the Legacy of Sulla.
• Sampson, Gareth C. (2013). [Battle of Lauron at Google Books The Collapse of Rome: Marius, Sulla and the First Civil War]. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 978-1-84884-326-4. Battle of Lauron at Google Books.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Laurón para niños