 It is mentioned as a municipal town on several occasions during the latter ages of the Roman Republic.In 72 BC it was taken by Spartacus, and subjected to heavy contributions, but not otherwise injured.According to Suetonius, the Octavian family held some renown there, and Gaius Octavius (father of the future Caesar Augustus) defeated a Spartacist army near there; as a result, the future emperor was granted the surname Thurinus shortly after birth.