Lathyros, following a reconciliation between mother and son, returns in early 109 to Egypt, while ...

...Ptolemy Alexander departs for Cyprus as king of the island.

The Cimbri and Their Allies in Gaul: Victory Over the Romans in Gallia Narbonensis (109 BCE)

After their victory over the Romans at Noreia (113 BCE), the Cimbri and their allied tribes, including the Teutons and Ambrones, turned westward, moving into Gallia Narbonensis (modern southern France). Their migratory push into Roman-controlled territory led to another clash with the Roman Republic.

The Battle Against Marcus Junius Silanus (109 BCE)

• In 109 BCE, the Cimbri encountered a Roman force under Consul Marcus Junius Silanus, who had been sent to halt their advance in Gallia Narbonensis.
• The Roman army suffered a decisive defeat, further shaking Roman confidence and exposing the vulnerability of the Republic’s northern frontiers.
• This second major victory for the Cimbri over Rome fueled their reputation as a formidable migratory force, intensifying fears of a barbarian invasion.

Aftermath and Strategic Impact

• Following their victory, the Cimbri did not immediately march on Italy, but instead continued their movement through Gaul, raiding settlements and searching for a permanent homeland.
• Their success against Rome at Noreia (113 BCE) and Gallia Narbonensis (109 BCE) demonstrated their superior mobility, battlefield tactics, and ability to challenge Roman legions.
• The defeats led to Roman military reforms and the eventual rise of Gaius Marius, who would later face the Cimbri and Teutonic threat in a decisive series of battles.

This phase of the Cimbrian migration marked a critical turning point in Roman history, setting the stage for one of the Republic’s greatest military crises and the military-political transformations that followed.

Chinese colonial forces conquer the early Korean state (now known as Old Chosen) in 108, reducing Korea to vassal status.

Lo-lang (near modern Pyongyang, North Korea) becomes a provincial outpost of the Han dynasty.

The Chinese introduction of bronze tools and establishment of military colonies in Korea leads to rapid sinicization and dramatic advances in agriculture.

Lathyros is evicted anew, however, by his mother in March of 108.

Fleeing a third time after yet another reconciliation in May, Lathyros establishes himself in Cyprus.

The consul Quintus Caecilius Metellus is sent to North Africa to defeat Jugurtha.

Metellus is honest and able as a commander but is buying time in order to maximize his glory when he does actually defeat Jugurtha.

His successful war plan is to destroy Jugurtha's supply lines and this forces Jugurtha to guerilla tactics.

Pontus, sprawling along the southern coast of the Black Sea, includes Greek colonies and a native population; the largest section of the people, including the rulers, is Iranian.

Mithridates is able, cunning, and ambitious.

Through his rescue of the Greek cities of the Tauric Chersonese and the Cimmerian Bosporus (Crimea and Straits of Kerch) from Sarmatian and Scythian attacks, he consolidates control of the entire north coast of the Black Sea, commandeers its shipping, and attracts many recruits for his army.

He secures money and men by expanding to the north, beginning his long career of conquest by dispatching successful expeditions to the Crimea and to Colchis (on the eastern shore of the Black Sea).

Both districts are added to the Pontic kingdom.

Mithridates next turns to western Anatolia, the Aegean islands, and even Greece, where the financial oppression of the Romans make him appear a liberator.

Intent on consolidating his power in Anatolia, the young king gathers support against Rome.

From Cyprus, Lathyros invades northern Syria in 107 BCE to assist one of the claimants to the crumbling Seleucid empire, while …

…Cleopatra III, allying herself with the Jewish king Hyrcanus, actively aids another Seleucid pretender.

Alexander has meanwhile returned to Egypt as coregent, but his mother takes official precedence and is the actual ruler.

Drusus had been elected censor along with the elder Marcus Aemilius Scaurus in 109 BCE, but had died the following year.

Gaius Marius, ordered to replace Metellus (given the title "Numidicus" for his efforts, although he has accomplished precisely nothing in his time there) and prosecute the war in Numidia, disregards standing recruitment qualifications and regularizes the recruitment of the landless poor, thus transforming the citizens’ militia into a professional army.