He had the necessary supplies of money sent to him by the senate and was reinforced by two fresh legions.
Thus the two generals went to work again in the spring of 680 and once more crossed the Ebro.

Eastern Spain was wrested from the Sertorians in consequence of the battles on the Xucar and Guadalaviar; the struggle thenceforth became concentrated on the upper and middle Ebro around the chief strongholds of the Sertorians--Calagurris, Osca, Ilerda.

As Metellus had done best in the earlier campaigns, so too on this occasion he gained the most important successes.

His old opponent Hirtuleius, who again confronted him, was completely defeated and fell himself along with his brother--an irreparable loss for the Sertorians.

Sertorius, whom the unfortunate news reached just as he was on the point of assailing the enemy opposed to him, cut down the messenger, that the tidings might not discourage his troops; but the news could not be long concealed.