The battle opposed the Allobroges, a Gallic tribe dwelling further north between the Rhône and the Alps, to the Roman forces of proconsul Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus.
"[1] In 125 BC, the consul Marcus Fulvius Flaccus crossed the Alps and subdued the Saluvii, a Ligurian tribe that dwelled near Massalia.
In 123 or 122 BC, the proconsul Gaius Sextius Calvinus defeated Toutomotulus, king of the Saluvii, and sacked their oppidum at Entremont.
The proconsul Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus demanded that the Saluvii chieftains be given to Rome, but the Allobroges refused.
[2][1] Shortly afterwards, the Arveni and their king Bituitus met the Roman forces of Domitius Ahenobarbus, strengthened by the troops of Quintus Fabius Maximus, probably near present-day Bollène.