Umbria and Etruria, although disaffected, did not at once take
up arms. Rome's control of the sea enabled her to draw upon the resources
of the provinces in men, money, and supplies, and consequently she was in
a much better position to sustain a prolonged struggle.

*The first year of the war: 90 B. C.* Hostilities opened in 90 B. C. with
the Italian forces attempting to reach Etruria in the north and occupy
Campania in the south and the Romans trying to forestall them by invading
the territory of the allies. In the south the year's campaign resulted in
numerous Roman disasters. Much of Campania was won by the allies who
succeeded in penetrating to the coast. In the north the Romans also
suffered defeats, but were able to maintain themselves and win several
successes. Here Marius, in the capacity of a _legatus_, rendered valuable
service.

Before the close of the year the revolt began to spread to Etruria and
Umbria. Thereupon the Romans, with the object of securing the support of
their still faithful allies and of weakening the ranks of the rebels,
passed the Julian Law which granted Roman citizenship to all who had not
joined the revolt and all who should at once lay down their arms. In this
way the Umbrians and Etrurians were quieted, the Latins and the Greek
allies rewarded, and many communities, which sought Roman citizenship but
not independence, induced to surrender.

*The second year of the war.* In the following year the fortune of war
changed. The Romans were everywhere successful. The consul Pompeius
practically pacified the north, and the _legatus_ Sulla broke the power of
the allies in south Italy. A second franchise law, the _lex Plautia
Papiria_, helped thin the ranks of the allies by offering Roman
citizenship to all citizens of Italian federate communities who would
claim it within sixty days. A third, the Pompeian Law, gave the franchise
to all non-Romans in Gaul south of the Po, and Latin rights to those north
of the Po river. The Senate was now anxious to bring the war to a close
because affairs in the East had assumed a threatening aspect.

*The end of the war and its significance.* In the course of the year 88
B. C. organized resistance among the rebels died out. The new citizens
were not to be enrolled in all of the thirty-five Roman tribes, a step
which might make them dominate the Assemblies, but they were to vote in
certain tribes only, so that their influence could be restricted.(11)
Natu