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How did Sertorius impact the Roman World

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The future ruler of an independent Iberia was also a major player in the Civil Wars of the 80s BC. He was arguably the reason why the popular party were able to recapture Rome. Sertorius proved himself to be a shrewd and capable politician. During the government of Cinna and Marius he tried to moderate their policies <ref> Hildinger, p 96 </ref>. Unlike them, Sertorius, was believed never to have killed a person out of hatred or vengeance. However, the brutality of the policies of Cinna and Marius appalled him, and he became increasingly disillusioned with Rome itself. However, even after he fled the advance of Sulla he remained a staunch opponent of the Optimates. Sertorius wanted to preserve not only the cause of the popular Roman party but to create a new Republic in Spain that was the embodiment of its ideals and beliefs. His death in 73 BC ended these ambitions.
==Independent Iberia==
Sertorius was able to rule most of Iberia for over six years. During that time, he won the support of the various Spanish tribes by his moderate government. He was able to persuade them that he could protect them against the brutality of the Republican governors who were imposed on them by the Senate. His own policy of mercy was a contrast with previous administrations and this won him the loyalty of many tribes. The various tribes came to genuinely believe that Sertorius would protect their interests against Rome. Much of this was because he was a brilliant politician and something of a showman. Sertorius used a white faun which he claimed was an oracle of the Goddess Diana to win the support of the more credulous among the tribal leaders <ref> Plutarch, Life of Sertorius, 7, 1</ref>. The rebellious general was able to create a nascent state which was based on an alliance between Iberians and Roman exiles. According to Plutarch Sertorius established a Senate in Iberia. This was composed of both locals and exiles from Rome and numbered 300 strong and there were also offices such as Quaestor <ref> Plutarch, Life of Sertorius, 7. 8</ref>. Sertorius also established a school at Osca for the children of Spanish nobles where they were instructed in Latin and Greek culture. Sertorius The general had hoped to establish an independent Iberian state that and if he succeed it had survived would have potentially even been a rival to Rome itself. However, the assassination of Sertorius ended thispossibility. It could be argued that the idea of an independent and united state in Iberia was unlikely. After all, before his the general's assassination the alliance between the Latins and the Iberians was breaking down and Sertorius had even executed some of the noble Iberian children that had attended the school at Osca, when their fathers had rebelled. However, he had a lasting influence on the provinces of Iberia as his polices were crucial in the eventual Romanization of the region <ref> Matyzak, p 119</ref>.
==Sertorius and the Fall of the Roman Republic==

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