other · Iberia

Sertorian State

80 BCE – 72 BCE · capital Osca

The breakaway Roman regime of Quintus Sertorius, who with Iberian allies held most of Hispania against the Senate for nearly a decade.

Origins

Quintus Sertorius, a supporter of Marius, was driven from Hispania by Sulla's forces but returned in 80 BCE at the invitation of the Lusitanians. Combining Roman exiles with Lusitanian and Celtiberian warriors, he defeated Sulla's generals and by 77 BCE controlled much of Hispania Citerior and Ulterior.

Rule and society

Sertorius ran a rival Roman state with its own senate of exiles and magistrates, while winning Iberian loyalty through fair treatment and personal charisma, aided by a white fawn said to bring him divine messages. At Osca he founded a school where sons of Iberian nobles learned Latin and Greek, partly as hostages. He allied with Mithridates VI of Pontus and beat Pompey at Lauron in 76 BCE.

Decline and legacy

Worn down by Metellus Pius and Pompey, his alliance frayed. In 73 or 72 BCE he was murdered at a banquet by his lieutenant Marcus Perperna, whom Pompey soon defeated and executed. Hispania returned to Senate rule.

Lineage

Lusitanians 500 BCE – 138 BCESertorian StateHispania Citerior 197 BCE – 27 BCE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Sertorian State. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sertorian-state
MLA
“Sertorian State.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sertorian-state. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Sertorian State.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sertorian-state.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Sertorian State’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/sertorian-state (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻