Lucius Hirtuleius

[1] After the death of Julius Salinator, he was considered Sertorius's most trusted lieutenant, his second-in-command, and was often given independent commands.

[5] The following year, Domitius marched south and Hirtuleius resorted to guerrilla warfare, falling back before the enemy and using ambuscades and raids to wear them down.

[9] In 78 BC, the new governor of Hispania Citerior, Quintus Calidius, showed so little interest in defending the province, that Lucius Manlius, the propraetor of Gallia Transalpina, was called on to intervene by Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius (who was leading the Senatorial armies against Sertorius), only to be defeated by Hirtuleius at Ilerda.

[11] Manlius then retreated, but Hirtuleius apparently pursued and besieged him at Ilerda before he eventually escaped across the Pyrenees.

[13] Hirtuleius was left in command of the army facing Metellus at this time, but other sources suggest he may have led the Iberians sent by Sertorius who had successfully ravaged one of Pompey's legions.

Unfortunately for Sertorius, Perpenna and Herennius were outmaneuvered by Pompey and defeated at the Battle of Valentia; he was now rapidly marching south.

[17] 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.

[19] Hirtuleius lost 20,000 men and fled north to join his commander Sertorius who was squaring off against Pompey in the Battle of Sucro.