Late Roman Republic, Events in Asia Minor, Gaul and the Balkans: Northern Border (129-110 BC)

During the twenty years after the death of Gaius Gracchus, the Romans were at war with the tribes on the northern frontiers of Italy and Macedonia. A number of victories were gained by the Metelli clan, five of whom held the consulship within a decade (119-109 BC).

In 129 BC the consul ¹⁴Sempronius Tuditanus gained a victory over the Iapydes in Illyria, chiefly through the military skill of his legate ⁰⁶Junius Brutus (cos.138 BC). In 119 BC the Scordisci, a Thracian tribe on the lower Sava, invaded the area around Argos not far from Stobi. The praetor Sextus Pompeius (2) moved his forces to the region but was killed in battle. His quaestor Marcus Annius (1) brought up reinforcements, reassembled Pompeius’ forces, and defeated the enemy.

In 115 BC the consul ¹³Aemilius Scaurus (c.74; fl.115-89 BC) defeated the Gallic Carni tribe in the eastern Alps. The next year the Scordisci annihilated an army led by the consul ⁰⁵Porcius Cato then penetrated into Greece as far south as Delphi. Three consuls were sent in quick succession: ⁰⁸Caecilius Metellus (cos.113 BC) and ⁰⁴Livius Drusus (cos.112 BC), both of whom focused on the Scordisci near Stobi; and ⁰⁸Minucius Rufus (cos.110 BC) who fought the Scordisci in the north and the Bessi and other Thracians to the east. 

In Sardinia and Corsica between 115 and 111 BC, ⁰⁷Caecilius Metellus (cos.115 BC, proconsul 114-111 BC) was busy suppressing an insurrection and re-establishing law and order.