[1] A separate but related law also established colonies Sicily, Achaea, Macedonia, and possibly Africa.
Some senators, including Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus, refused to take the oath and therefore departed into exile.
Although Saturninus was an ally of Marius, his activities during the elections of 100 BC – including a murder of a hostile candidate – triggered a senatus consultum ultimum which saw him apprehended and his death to a mob in the senate house.
[1] According to Appian, the law provided for the distribution of land which had been seized by the invading Cimbri in Cisalpine Gaul prior to their defeat by Gaius Marius at the Battle of Vercellae (101 BC).
[4] According to Pseudo-Aurelius Victor, Saturninus sent colonists to the Roman provinces of Sicily, Achaea, and Macedonia.
[5] Velleius Paterculus stated that the colony of Epodeia was founded in northwestern Italy by Marius during his sixth consulship (100 BC).
[4] The provision that the Italian allies were to be assigned the larger share of the land angered Rome's urban poor, who caused a disturbance at the meeting of the assembly which was to vote on the bill in an attempt to prevent the passage of the law.
According to Roman tradition, this was a bad omen which would require the business of the day to be brought to a close.
While the senators were confused and silent, Marius took quick action before they had time to think: He gave his oath publicly.