The Social War (from Latin , properly 'war of the allies'), also called the Italian or Marsic War, was waged from 91 to 87 BC between the Roman Republic and other cities and tribes in Italy which had hitherto been allies () of Rome for centuries. The Italian allies wanted Roman citizenship, not only for the status and influence that came with it, but also for the right to vote in the Roman Republic. They believed that they should be treated equally to the Romans, given that they had formed cultural and linguistic connections with the Roman civilization, and had been loyal allies for over two centuries. The Romans strongly opposed their demands and refused to grant them citizenship, thus leaving the Italian groups with fewer rights and privileges.