Soon after, the war had shifted to Etruria where Sulla engaged in a pitched cavalry skirmish against Popular forces near the Glanis River, emerging victorious.

After expelling Carbo's forces from Picenum, Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius camped at Faventia having decided to wait for the arrival of Gaius Norbanus Balbus who was marching with his army from Cisalpine Gaul.

At the beginning of September, Norbanus Balbus arrived in the region and marched his forces towards Metellus' camp.

No sooner had Norbanus Balbus arrived than he gave battle to Metellus' army.

Norbanus Balbus' army retreated through a vineyard and many of his forces were slaughtered there as they ran.