Battle of Mount Tifata

The Battle of Mount Tifata was fought in 83 BC as part of Sulla's Second Civil War.^[1]

Battle of Mount Tifata
Part of Sulla's Second Civil War
Sulla Coin
Date November 83 BC Location near Mount Tifata 41°3′57.110″N 14°10′12.050″E Result Sullan victory
Belligerents
Optimates	Populares
Commanders and leaders
Lucius Cornelius Sulla[1]	Gaius Norbanus[1]
Strength
40,000[1]	60,000[1]
Casualties and losses
124 killed[1]	7,000 killed[1] 6,000 captured[1]
Location within Italy

History

It was fought in the foothills of Mount Tifata,^[1] a spur of the Apennines,^[2] close to the River Vulturnus, and is alternatively known as the Battle of Casilinum.^[1] The location of the battle suggests that Sulla was moving on Capua.^[1] The Optimate forces were led by Lucius Cornelius Sulla and his officer Quintus Caecilius Metellus, while the Populares were led by Gaius Norbanus.^[1] The battle started when Sulla “immediately attacked” Norbanus, even though Velleius claims Norbanus attacked Sulla.^[1] As an army under Scipio was currently moving to support Norbanus it is likely that Sulla attacked Norbanus by surprise before he could link up with Scipio.^[1] In total Scipio's and Norbanus’ armies numbered 100,000 as compared to at most 40,000 under Sulla.^[1] At Mount Tifata, Sulla had the bulk of his army with him, while Norbanus commanded 60,000 men (the rest were with Scipio). Sulla was victorious.^[1][2]