Hispania Citerior
In 76 BC the Senate sent massive reinforcements under the general Gnaeus Pompey Magnus to aid Quintus Caecilius Metellus Pius, the commander in charge of the war against Sertorius. When Pompey arrived in Iberia he was outgeneraled and defeated by Sertorius at the Battle of Lauron. The next year Sertorius left Pompey, who had remained in Hispania Citerior with the remnants of his army, to two of his legates, Perpenna and Herennius, while he himself campaigned against Metellus in Hispania Ulterior. Unfortunately for Sertorius, Perpenna and Herrenius were defeated by Pompey at Valentia. Sertorius now raced to Hispania Citerior and took over the command against Pompey. He left Hirtuleius in command of the army facing Metellus.