The social war as a civil war : an initial step in the analysis of its nature

Abstract

The Social War (91-87 BCE) is the prelude to the civil wars process that defines the first century BCE. However, its nature remains controversial, an inheritance of the same Antiquity, and it is difficult to discern whether or not it is in fact a civil war, since the affected contingents are Italics and do not have Roman citizenship (ciuitas). This article seeks to shape the debate so as to permit more detailed studies