of the government, were declared consuls, the latter for his seventh time. Fimbria became a prominent figure in the Marian–Cinnan regime, and is described as one of their fiercest and loyalest partisans. He was probably appointed quaestor to the elderly Marius, who died two weeks into his term as consul. At his funeral, Fimbria threatened the pontifex maximus, Mucius Scaevola, apparently arranging for him to be murdered. Upon hearing that his victim survived, albeit with a severe wound, Fimbria launched against him a prosecution before the people (judicium populi). When asked what charges could he possibly bring against such a well-reputed man, Fimbria declared that the victim had failed to submit his body to the full thrust of the blade. Cinna's government in 86 BC organized a military expedition to the province of Asia to manage Rome's ongoing war against the king of Pontus, Mithridates, and to serve as a political and military countermeasure to the now outlawed general Sulla, the regime's main opponent, who was at this moment also fighting Mithridates. The expedition was to be led by Marius's replacement consul, Lucius Valerius Flaccus, and Fimbria, owing presumably to his position as quaestor, joined him as the foremost member of his staff. They were assigned two legions, usually known as the "Valerians" or "Fimbrians". Flaccus took his legions through Epirus, Macedon and Thrace to the Hellespont where he intended to cross over into Asia Minor. March and mutiny The expedition began badly, for after sailing from Brundisium several ships were lost to a storm at sea, and, after landing in Greece, an advance party was bloodied by Mithridatic forces nearby. Moreover, Flaccus, a strict disciplinarian, was unpopular with the troops, many of whom deserted the army to join Sulla. Fimbria, however, was popular with the army, which helped stem the tide of desertions. He was also, however, extremely insubordinate, and made every attempt to undermine Flaccus's authority and make the soldiers loyal to him instead. Fimbria, encharged with the cavalry, led the advance guard of the army a few days ahead of the main force, and began to stir up trouble by allowing his troops to plunder the surrounding area as they marched through Macedonia and Thrace. After reports made their way back to the rest of the army, and Flaccus himself, he rebuked Fimbria, and ordered the soldiers to give up the stolen booty. After scoring minor victories