Cneius Pompeius defeated the Picentians, and laid siege to their town;
on account of this victory the inhabitants of Rome resume their purple
robes, and other distinguishing marks of magistracy. Caius Marius fought
an undecided battle with the Marcians. Freedmen’s sons were now first
received into the army. [Y. R. 663. B. C. 89.] Aulus Plotius, the
lieutenant, subdued the Umbrians, and Lucius Porcius, the prætor, the
Marcians, both of whom had revolted. Nicomedes was restored to the
kingdom of Bithynia, and Ariobarzanes to that of Cappadocia. Cneius
Pompeius, the consul, overthrew the Marcians in a pitched battle. The
citizens, being deeply involved in debt, Aulus Sempronius Asellio, the
prætor, was murdered in the forum, by the usurers, in consequence of
some judgments given by him in favour of debtors. Incursions were made
by the Thracians, and devastations committed against the Macedonians.