The battle was fought near Italica (a Roman colony in Spain) and ended in a stunning victory for the Metellan army.

[3] Unfortunately his faction lost the war in Italy right after his departure and in 81 BC Sulla sent Gaius Annius Luscus with several legions to take the Iberian provinces from Sertorius.

Threatened by Sertorius' success the Senate in Rome upgraded Hispania Ulterior to a proconsular province and sent the proconsul Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius with a large army to fight him.

Pompey however defeated his opponents in a battle near Valentia[9] and forced Sertorius to come and take charge of the situation, leaving Hirtuleius to deal with Metellus.

Hirtuleius mustered his army some time soon after dawn and marched on Metellus's encampment trying to provoke his opponent into battle.

[11] Since his enemy remained drawn up in front of his camp for hours, Metellus had plenty of time to study their dispositions and make his own plans accordingly.

Hirtuleius lost 20,000 men at Italica[1] and, chastened, he fled north to join his commander Sertorius who was squaring off against Pompey.