It is necessary for Rome to survive the first onslaught by Italia, as this will discourage further defections and also they will be able to call on help from their provinces as well as from client kingdoms.

One of the two separate theaters of war, that of the Marsi in the north and the Samnites in the south, is assigned to each of the consuls of 90 BCE.

In the north, the consul Publius Rutilius Lupus is advised by Gaius Marius and Pompeius Strabo; in the south the consul Lucius Julius Caesar has Lucius Cornelius Sulla and Titus Didius.

Strabo successfully besieges Asculum, the chief town of the Hirpini, but Rutilius is defeated and killed in Tolenus Valley.

Quintus Servilius Caepio had been an adamant opponent to Drusus and his laws attempting to give full citizenship to the Italians.

Pliny said that the dispute between the two started because of a golden ring.

Caepio, it was rumored, was even involved in the assassination of Drusus.

Made a Legate in the Roman Army, Caepio is captured and executed by the Italians after being tricked into leaving a secure position.

Marius is able to retrieve these losses and is left in sole command.

He besieges Aesernia—a key fortress that covers the communication between the north and south areas—and forces its surrender.