Meanwhile, Pompey had crossed the Pyrenees and was marching his army toward Sertorius, he intended to finish the rebellion in one stroke by trying to force Sertorius into a pitched battle and defeating him. Pompey also sent a fleet under his brother-in-law, Gaius Memmius, accompanied by the Spaniard Balbus, to try and take New Carthage, secure it as a base, and from there move up the coast.
Pompey crossed the Pyrenees, marching his army toward Sertorius, intending to end the rebellion in one fell swoop by forcing Sertorius into a decisive battle and defeating him. Pompey also dispatched a fleet under his brother-in-law, Gaius Memmius, along with the Spaniard Balbus, to attempt capturing New Carthage, securing it as a base from which to advance up the coast.