Page "Second Servile War" Paragraph 1

The Consul Gaius Marius was recruiting for his eventually successful war against the Cimbri in Cisalpine Gaul.

He requested support from King Nicomedes III of Bithynia near Roman Asia Province.

Additional troops from Rome's Italian Allies were not supplied due to the claim that contracted Roman tax collectors had enslaved Italians unable to pay their debts.

Marius decreed that any allied / friendly Italian should be released if they were in Roman slavery.