Page:Roman Constitutional History, 753-44 B.C..djvu/204

190. Scaurus was prosecuted by Caepio, but apparently without success. Aurelius Cotta, an intimate friend of Drusus, and a number of others were condemned. Although a senatorial decree ordered the closing of the courts during the war, the Varian commission continued its work of discord.

Extent and Organization of the Rebellion. — This warfare of prosecutions indicated that the party of opposition was hostile to the Italian allies, and the number of the rebels increased almost every day. The great majority of the Latins remained loyal; also the Umbrian and Etrurian cities, in which local aristocracies governed; and further, such Greek cities as Neapolis and Rhegium. But the other Italians, from Picenum in the North to Lucania and Apulia in the South, including in particular the Marsians and Samnites, rebelled and organized a government after the Roman pattern, with two consuls, twelve praetors, and a senate of five hundred. The projected state was named Italia; and Corfinium, the capital, was called Italica. These Italians were perhaps not superior in number to the Romans and the loyal allies, and were imperfectly organized, but they were better prepared for war.

Concession of Citizenship to the Italians. — The Romans began the war with their usual arrogance, but were on the whole worsted in the campaigns of 90. Besides, the secession of Nola, the capitulation of Venusia, and the incipient revolt in Umbria and Etruria contributed to humble the proud spirit of Rome. Public opinion changed, and for the first time in three centuries the Romans favored a compromise — no doubt the wisest thing possible. The primary aim was to insure the fidelity of the allies that remained loyal. The consul, Lucius Julius Caesar, carried in 90 a law (lex Julia de civitate sociis et Latinis danda) granting