f from the new
Senate and half from the remaining equestrians.(10) Equestrian _jurors_
were to be made liable to prosecution for accepting bribes. To secure
support for his judiciary law, Drusus introduced a bill to found new
colonies and another to provide cheaper grain for the city populace.

However, when he encountered serious opposition to his judicial reform in
the Senate as well as among the _equites_, Drusus combined this and his
other reforms with a law for the enfranchisement of the Italian allies. He
contrived to carry his measures through the Assembly, which was probably
coerced by the presence of large numbers of Italians in the city, but
since he had included several distinct proposals in one bill, which was
unconstitutional, the Senate declared his law invalid. Drusus yielded but
prepared to introduce the franchise bill to be voted on a second time.
Before this could be done he was mysteriously assassinated, doubtless by
an agent of his political opponents. Thus died the last civilian reformer
of Roman history. Later reforms were carried by the power of the sword.

VII. THE ITALIAN OR MARSIC WAR, 90-88 B. C.

*The Italian Confederacy.* The death of Drusus was the signal for a revolt
of the Italian allies. They had been in close alliance with him, and had
taken steps for concerted action in arms if his bill should fail to pass.
A confederacy was organized, the government of which was vested in a
Senate of five hundred members with absolute powers, having as executive
officers two annual consuls and twelve praetors. The capital of the
confederacy was at Corfinium, in the territory of the Paeligni, which was
renamed Italia. A federal coinage was issued. Before opening hostilities
the Italians made a formal demand for Roman citizenship, which the Senate
definitely refused. Thereupon they declared their independence.

*The resources of the rivals.* The Italian Confederacy embraced
practically all the warlike peoples of central and southern Italy. Of
particular importance were the Marsi who gave their name to the war. In
numbers the Italians were a match for the Romans, and they had acquired
Roman military tactics, organization and discipline through long service
in the Roman armies. They also could count on leaders of approved ability.
But the Latin colonies and the Greek cities in the south remained true to
their allegiance, and thus the Italians were cut off from the coast.
Furthermore