Indeed, he was a strong political supporter of Gaius Marius, the seven-time-consul, who had a large network of clients in Etruria.
[2] Albinovanus fled and, along with Marius and the other surviving outlaws, took refuge with Hiempsal, the King of Numidia in north Africa.
They did not stay long at his court, however, apparently because they feared the King would turn them in to the Roman government.
[3] Albinovanus presumably returned to Rome in 87 BC after Marius's supporters, now in the absence of Sulla and his army, retook control of the government.
Believing his cause to be hopeless, Albinovanus entered into secret correspondence with Sulla, who promised him a pardon should he accomplish something useful.