He led a campaign against the Marsi during the Social War, ultimately resulting in his death at the unsuccessful Battle of the Tolenus River.
Publius Rutilius Lupus was elected to serve as consul alongside Lucius Julius Caesar in 90 BC.
Rutilius advanced and divided his troops between himself and Marius in order to build two bridges to cross the river Tolenus.
The following morning, Lupus fell into the trap and lost most of his army, some 8,000 men; he himself received a fatal wound to the head.
[1][2] Marius noticed bodies floating down the river and so crossed and captured the poorly defended enemy camp.