It has already been said how the citizenship of Rome was conferred on some of the small Italian States around, and not on others.

Hence, of course, arose jealousy, which was increased by the feeling on the part of those excluded that they were called to furnish soldiers to Rome, as well as those who were included.
Then there was formed a combination of Italian cities, sworn to remedy the injury thus inflicted on them.

Their purpose was to fight Rome in order that they might achieve Roman citizenship; and hence arose the first civil war which distracted the Empire.

Pompeius Strabo, father of Pompey the Great, was then Consul (B.C.

89), and Cicero was sent out to see the campaign under him.