Hispania Citerior
Hirtuleius became Sertorius's most trusted lieutenant during what was to become the war on the Iberian peninsula. In 80 BC, while Sertorius was consolidating his power in Hispania Ulterior, Hirtuleius was sent against Marcus Domitius Calvinus, the governor of Hispania Citerior. Hirtuleius resorted to guerrilla warfare, falling back before the enemy and using ambuscades and raids to wear them down, eventually, he defeated Calvinus at Consubura on the banks of the Anas. In 78 BC, the new governor of Hispania Citerior, Quintus Calidius, showed so little interest in defending the province, that Lucius Manlius, the propraetor of Gallia Transalpina, was called on to intervene, only to be defeated by Hirtuleius at Ilerda.