For at least two years Sertorius kept the marauding Roman army at bay. However, by 74 BCE, the army of General Sertorius were lacking morale after such a long and drawn-out campaign. They became more and more despondent, with internal divisions, the general’s brutality, and conspiracies adding to the overall decline. Sertorius resorted to increasingly harsh methods to maintain order. As he lost territory and the loyalty of his men, his popularity went with it.