Chapter C: Sallustii Crispi (5)

[514] _Pergit_; namely, _Ligus_.
[515] 'That it might proceed more easily.'
[516] 'In order that, if they stumbled against anything, they might make
less noise.'
[517] 'And the roots which, owing to their old age, were standing forth;'
for the roots of old trees rise out of the ground, and such
knots remain on the surface even when the trees no longer exist.
[518] 'He himself foremost (_potissimus_) tried those places which it
was doubtful (dangerous) to climb up.'
[519] 'And then immediately withdrawing;' namely, in order to make room
for those who followed.
[520] 'The inconsiderate boldness of Marius (of attacking an impregnable
fortress), when it became adjusted (justified, _correcta_) by
chance, found praise instead of blame.' The sudden terror of the
Numidians on their hearing the military music of the Romans in
their rear, was, according to Sallust, most advantageous to the
Romans; for if the Numidians, while engaged in fighting, had
despatched fifty men, they might easily have thrown down the few
Romans who had found their way up; for the number of four centurions
for the protection of the trumpeters is indeed surprisingly
small, and we might almost be inclined to suppose that these
centurions were followed by their centuries at some distance.

95. Ceterum dum ea res geritur, L. Sulla quaestor cum magno equitatu in castra venit, quos[521] uti ex Latio et a sociis cogeret, Romae relictus erat. Sed quoniam nos tanti viri res admonuit,[522] idoneum visum est de natura cultuque ejus paucis dicere; neque enim alio loco de Sullae rebus dicturi sumus, et L. Sisenna optime et diligentissime omnium, qui eas res dixere, persecutus,[523] parum mihi libero ore locutus videtur. Igitur Sulla gentis patriciae nobilis fuit, familia prope jam extincta majorum ignavia,[524] litteris Graecis atque Latinis juxta, atque doctissime,[525] eruditus, animo ingenti, cupidus voluptatum, sed gloriae cupidior, otio luxurioso esse; tamen, ab negotiis nunquam voluptas remorata, nisi quod[526] de uxore potuit honestius consuli; facundus, callidus et amicitia facilis;[527] ad simulanda negotia altitudo ingenii incredibilis;[528] multarum rerum ac maxime pecuniae largitor. Atque illi, felicissimo omnium ante civilem victoriam, nunquam super industriam fortuna fuit,[529] multique dubitavere, fortior an felicior esset; nam postea quae fecerit, incertum habeo, pudeat magis an pigeat disserere.

[521] _Quos_ refers to the _equites_ implied in the word _equitatus_.
This is a construction _ad sensum_, of which many examples occur in
Sallust (compare _Cat._ 7), though the present case is rather
unusual.
[522] _Res_, 'the subject,' 'the present discussion,' or 'the context of
the narrative.'
[523] _Persecutus_; supply _Sullae naturam cultumque_. L. Sisenna, an
early contemporary of Cicero, had written a history of the civil war
between Marius and Sulla; he was himself a partisan of Sulla, and
therefore not quite unbiassed in his judgment.
[524] The patrician gens to which Sulla belonged was the gens Cornelia.
The statement that the family of Sulla was almost extinct, in
consequence of the inactivity of the ancestors of the great Sulla,
applies to their loss of power and influence rather than to a
physical decay of the family.
[525] _Atque doctissime_, 'and that very profoundly;' the same as _et
doctissime quidem_.
[526] _Nisi quod_ adds a limitation or exception to something stated
before. Here the preceding praise is qualified or limited by the
remark, that in his matrimonial relation he might have behaved
better; for he was married several times, and chose his wives at the
spur of a momentary passion. _Potuit consuli_; supply _ab eo_; that
is, _potuisset consulere_.
[527] _Amicitia facilis_, 'pleasing and agreeable in his friendship or
friendly intercourse.'
[528] _Altitudo animi_, the unfathomableness of a man's character and
designs--a character which shows nothing outwardly of what is going
on within. Such a character has all the requisites to become
hypocritical, _ad simulationem et dissimulationem_.
[529] 'His good fortune was never greater than his activity;' that is,
his activity was equal to his good fortune, and he therefore deserved
all praise. But his doings after his victory in the civil war are
utterly condemned by Sallust, who then assigns to him neither
good-luck nor activity.

96. Igitur Sulla, uti supra dictum est, postquam in Africam atque in castra Marii cum equitatu venit, rudis antea et ignarus belli, sollertissimus omnium in paucis tempestatibus[530] factus est. Ad hoc milites benigne appellare, multis rogantibus, aliis per se ipse dare beneficia, invitus accipere, sed ea properantius quam aes mutuum reddere, ipse ab nullo repetere, magis id laborare,[531] ut illi quam plurimi deberent, joca atque seria cum humillimis agere, in operibus, in agmine atque ad vigilias multus adesse,[532] neque interim, quod prava ambitio solet, consulis aut cujusquam boni famam laedere, tantummodo neque consilio neque manu priorem alium pati, plerosque antevenire. Quis rebus et artibus brevi Mario militibusque carissimus factus.

[530] For _intra breves tempestates_, see note 3, page 59 [note 304 in
Cat.].
[531] _Id laboro_. See Zumpt, S 385. _Ut illi deberent_ should properly
be _sibi_ or _ipsi_; but see Zumpt, S 550.
[532] _Multus adesse_, 'he was present in many places,' multiplying, as
it were, his own person. Compare chap. 84.

97. At Jugurtha, postquam oppidum Capsam aliosque locos munitos et sibi utiles, simul et magnam pecuniam amiserat, ad Bocchum nuntios mittit, quam primum in Numidiam copias adduceret, proelii faciundi tempus adesse. Quem ubi cunctari accepit et dubium belli atque pacis rationes trahere,[533] rursus, uti antea, proximos ejus donis corrumpit, ipsique Mauro pollicetur Numidiae partem tertiam, si aut Romani Africa expulsi, aut integris suis finibus bellum compositum foret. Eo praemio illectus Boechus cum magna multitudine Jugurtham accedit. Ita amborum exercitu conjuncto, Marium jam in hiberna proficiscentem, vix decima parte die[534] reliqua, invadunt, rati noctem, quae jam aderat, et victis sibi munimento fore et, si vicissent, nullo impedimento,[535] quia locorum scientes erant, contra Romania utrumque casum in tenebris difficiliorem fore. Igitur simul consul ex multis de hostium adventu cognovit, et ipsi hostes aderant[536] et, priusquam exercitus aut instrui aut sarcinas colligere, denique antequam signum[537] aut imperium ullum accipere quivit, equites Mauri atque Gaetuli, non acie neque ullo more proelii, sed catervatim, uti quosque fors conglobaverat, in nostros concurrunt; qui omnes trepidi improviso metu, ac tamen virtutis memores, aut arma capiebant aut capientes alios ab hostibus defensabant, pars equos ascendere, obviam ire hostibus, pugna latrocinio[538] magis quam proelio similis fieri, sine signis, sine ordinibus equites peditesque permixti; caedere alios, alios obtruncare;[539] multos, contra adversos acerrime pugnantes, ab tergo circumvenire; neque virtus neque arma satis tegere, quod hostes numero plures et undique circumfusi erant; denique Romani veteres novique et ob ea[540] scientes belli, si quos locus aut casus conjunxerat, orbes facere, atque ita ab omnibus partibus simul tecti et instructi hostium vim sustentabant.

[533] _Rationes trahere_ implies slow and careful deliberation, as in
chaps. 34 and 93.
[534] _Die_ for _diei_. See page 115, note 3 [note 289].
[535] 'The night would not he an obstacle to them' (in their pursuit).
_Nullo_ obsolete for _nulli_. See Zumpt, S 140.
[536] _Simul cognovit_--_et hostes aderant_, 'he at once learned--and the
enemy was there;' that is, between the receiving of the information
and the actual attack of the enemy there was no interval. _Sarcinas
colligere_; the baggage was laid down before an engagement, and put
together in a heap, as in Caes. _Bell_. _Gall_. vii. 18.
[537] _Signum_ here is 'the watchword,' which is given out by the
general, and is communicated among the soldiers by one man telling
another. Sometimes _signum_ is the signal given by a _cornu_ or
_tuba_. To make the former known throughout an army required some
time, but not so the latter. _Signa_ afterwards are the standards of
the maniples, cohorts, and legions.
[538] _Latrocinium_, 'a predatory attack,' as opposed to a regular
battle.
[539] _Obtruncare_ in opposition to _caedere_ (cut down) signifies 'to
mutilate by cutting off a limb or limbs.' The word _multos_ is chosen
here only for variety's sake, instead of _alios_.
[540] The words _veteres novique_ express a whole sentence: 'as old
and new soldiers were united in the several divisions (maniples and
cohorts) of the army;' and it is to this meaning that _ob ea_ (for
this reason) refers. The scattered Romans, as old and new soldiers
were everywhere mixed together, profited by the experience of the
old ones, and formed dense circles (we should say _squares_), which
was, in fact, the only safe means of warding off the attack of a
superior enemy.

98. Neque in eo tam aspero negotio Marius territus aut magis quam antea demisso animo fuit, sed cum turma sua, quam ex fortissimis magis quam familiarissimis paraverat, vagari passim, ac modo laborantibus suis succurrere, modo hostes, ubi confertissimi obstiterant, invadere; manu consulere militibus, quoniam imperare, conturbatis omnibus, non poterat. Jamque dies consumptus erat, quum tamen barbari nihil remittere,[541] atque, uti reges praeceperant, noctem pro se rati, acrius instare. Tum Marius ex copia rerum consilium trahit, atque, uti suis receptui locus esset, colles duos propinquos inter se occupat, quorum in uno, castris parum amplo, fons aquae magnus erat, alter usui opportunus, quia magna parte editus et praeceps pauca munimenta quaerebat.[542] Ceterum apud aquam Sullam cum equitibus noctem agitare jubet; ipse paulatim dispersos milites, neque minus hostibus conturbatis,[543] in unum contrahit, dein cunctos pleno gradu[544] in collem subducit. Ita reges loci difficultate coacti proelio deterrentur, neque tamen suos longius abire sinunt, sed, utroque colle multitudine circumdato, effusi consedere. Dein crebris ignibus factis, plerumque noctis barbari more suo laetari, exultare, strepere vocibus, et ipsi duces feroces, quia non fugere, ut pro[545] victoribus egere. Sed ea cuncta Romanis ex tenebris et editioribus locis facilia visa magnoque hortamento erant.

[541] _Quam tamen_--_nihil remittere_, 'while the barbarians nevertheless
did not leave off.' For _quum_ with the historical infinitive, see
Zumpt, S 582. _Pro se_, 'favourable to them.'
[542] Marius occupies two hills close by each other, the one only to
have the command of water, but the other to pitch his camp on, as
it required only to be slightly fortified. _Quaerebat_ for
_requirebat_, which is more common in this sense.
[543] 'As the enemy also had fallen into no less confusion;' so that
_neque_, being properly used for _et non_, must here be taken for
_etiam non_ or _ne_--_quidem_.
[544] _Pleno gradu_, 'at a quick pace,' which, however, is not running.
This retreat up the hill is, after all, a proof that the Romans had
been worsted in the attack.
[545] _Fugere, ut pro_, is the reading of the manuscripts, 'as they did
not flee, they acted as though they were the victors.' _Ut pro_
signifies 'both as victors and as if they were,' the _ut_ and _pro_
signifying nearly the same thing.

99. Plurimum vero Marius imperitia hostium confirmatus, quam maximum silentium haberi jubet, ne signa quidem, uti per vigilias solebant, canere,[546] deinde, ubi lux adventabat, defessis jam hostibus et paulo ante somno captis, de improviso vigiles, item cohortium, turmarum, legionum tubicines simul omnes signa canere, milites clamorem tollere atque portis erumpere. Mauri atque Gaetuli, ignoto et horribili sonitu repente exciti, neque fugere neque arma capere neque omnino facere aut providere quicquam poterant; ita cunctos strepitu, clamore, nullo subveniente, nostris instantibus, tumultu, terrore, formido quasi vecordia ceperat.[547] Denique omnes fusi fugatique; arma et signa militaria pleraque capta, pluresque eo proelio quam omnibus superioribus interempti. Nam somno et metu insolito impedita fuga.

[546] 'Not even the signals were to be sounded, which were usually
heard at the different night watches.' The night was divided by
the Romans into four watches (_vigiliae_), the beginning of which was
announced by a horn (_buccina_). _Canere_ is here used
intransitively, 'to sound,' as in _Cat_. chap. 59 Below, it is used
transitively, in the sense of 'to blow,' or 'give a signal.'
[547] The description of the consternation among the barbarians is in
some parts very minute. _Formido_ is the highest degree of fear
(_timor_), which almost makes people mad, whence the addition _quasi
vecordia_.

100. Dein Marius, uti coeperat, in hiberna proficiscitur, quae propter commeatum in oppidis maritimis agere decreverat. Neque tamen victoria socors aut insolens factus, sed pariter atque in conspectu hostium quadrato agmine incedere; Sulla cum equitatu apud dextimos,[548] in sinistra parte A. Manlius cum funditoribus et sagittariis, praeterea cohortes Ligurum curabat; primos et extremos cum expeditis manipulis tribunes locaverat. Perfugae, minime cari[549] et regionum scientissimi, hostium iter explorabant. Simul consul, quasi nullo imposito,[550] omnia providere, apud omnes adesse, laudare et increpare merentes. Ipse armatus intentusque, item milites cogebat;[551] neque secus, atque iter facere, castra munire,[552] excubitum in porta[553] cohortes ex legionibus, pro castris equites auxiliarios mittere, praeterea alios super vallum in munimentis locare, vigilias ipse circumire, non tam diffidentia futurum, quae[554] imperavisset, quam uti militibus exaequatus cum imperatore labos volentibus esset.[555] Et sane Marius illoque aliisque temporibus Jugurthini belli pudore magis quam malo[556] exercitum coercebat; quod multi per ambitionem fieri aiebant, pars quod a pueritia consuetam duritiam et alia, quae ceteri miserias vocant, voluptati habuisset; nisi tamen[557] res publica pariter ac saevissimo imperio bene atque decore gesta.

[548] The superlative _dextimus_ does not differ in meaning from the
positive _dexter_. See Zumpt, S 114, note 1.
[549] _Minime cari_; that is, _maxime viles_, 'who were most
indifferent,' or 'valueless to him,' whose lives he was least
inclined to spare.
[550] 'As if he had not placed (there) any commander.' _Imponere_, used
absolutely, 'to appoint;' namely, in the place spoken of. _Nullo_ for
_nemine_, the ablative as well as the genitive of _nemo_ not being in
use.
[551] _Cogebat_; supply _armatos intentosque esse_.
[552] Construe _neque secus castra munire, atque iter facere_; that is,
his care in securing the camp was as great as that which he displayed
in marching.
[553] The singular _in porta_ is here used because the author is speaking
especially of that gate which faced the enemy (the _porta praetoria_
opposite the _porta decumana_). At this gate a strong body of
outposts (_excubitores_) was stationed, consisting of the most
trustworthy soldiers.
[554] _Futurum, quae imperavisset_, an old-fashioned mode of speaking
for _futura esse, quae_. Besides this passage, there is no other
certain instance of such an expression in the classical writers of
Rome; but the grammarian Gellius has proved, by many examples, that
in the earlier times it was by no means uncommon.
[555] 'Than that the exertion, if equally shared with them (soldiers)
by the commander, should be agreeable to the soldiers.' _Aliquid
mihi est volenti_. See p. 139, note 1 [note 441].
[556] _Malum_ is here the same as 'punishment,' or _poena_.
[557] _Nisi tamen_ introduces a modification or limitation of the doubt
expressed before respecting the real motive of Marius's indulgence.
Compare p. 92, note 2 [note 153].

101. Igitur quarto denique die haud longe ab oppido Cirta undique simul speculatores citi sese ostendunt, qua re hostes adesse intellegitur.[558] Sed quia diversi redeuntes alius ab alia parte atque omnes idem significabant, consul incertus, quonam modo aciem instrueret, nullo ordine commutato, adversum omnia paratus, ibidem opperitur. Ita Jugurtham spes frustrata, qui copias in quatuor paries distribuerat, ratus ex omnibus aeque[559] aliquos ab tergo hostibus venturos. Interim Sulla, quem primum hostes attigerant, cohortatus suos, turmatim et quam maxime confertis equis ipse aliique Mauros invadunt,[560] ceteri in loco manentes ab jaculis eminus emissis corpora tegere et, si qui in manus venerant, obtruncare. Dum eo modo equites proeliantur, Bocchus cum peditibus, quos Volux filius ejus adduxerat, neque in priore pugna, in itinere morati, affuerant,[561] postremam Romanorum aciem invadunt. Tum Marius apud primos agebat, quod ibi Jugurtha cum plurimis erat. Dein Numida, cognito Bocchi adventu, clam cum paucis ad pedites convertit;[562] ibi Latine (nam apud Numantiam loqui didicerat) exclamat: 'nostros frustra pugnare paulo ante Marium sua manu interfectum;' simul gladium sanguine oblitum ostendere, quem in pugna satis impigre occiso pedite nostro cruentaverat. Quod ibi milites accepere, magis atrocitate rei quam fide nuntii terrentur, simulque barbari animos tollere et in perculsos Romanos acrius incedere. Jamque paulum ab fuga aberant, quum Sulla, profligatis iis, quos adversum[563] ierat, rediens ab latere Mauris incurrit. Bocchus statim avertitur. At Jugurtha, dum sustentare suos et prope jam adeptam victoriam retinere cupit circumventus ab equitibus, dextra sinistra omnibus[564] occisis, solus inter tela hostium vitabundus[565] erumpit. Atque interim Marius fugatis equitibus accurrit auxilio suis, quos pelli jam acceperat. Denique hostes jam undique fusi. Tum spectaculum horribile in campis patentibus: sequi fugere, occidi capi; equi atque viri afflicti, ac multi vulneribus acceptis neque fugere posse neque quietem pati, niti modo, ac statim concidere; postremo omnia, qua visus erat, constrata telis, armis, cadaveribus, et inter ea humus infecta sanguine.[566]

[558] _Hostes adesse intellegitur_ is a nominative with the infinitive,
for _intellegunt hostem adesse_. See Zumpt, S 607. It is, however,
not impossible that _hostis_ may be the accusative plural for
_hostes_.
[559] _Aeque_, 'equally;' for Jugurtha hoped that at any rate one of his
detachments would attack the Romans in the rear; but as he did not
know to which part the Romans would direct their front, each of his
detachments might equally reach a position in the rear of the Romans.
[560] The meaning is--Sulla caused the cavalry which he commanded on the
right wing, on the whole, to keep quiet, and only to repel individual
enemies that might approach; but he himself and other commanders
alternately gallopped forth with single turmae forming close bodies,
and attacked the enemy.
[561] _Neque--affuerant_, without repeating the relative pronoun, which,
being the subject, should be in the nominative, for _sed--qui non
affuerant_, or _neque ii--affuerant_. The omission is singular, but
not without other examples. See Zumpt, S 806. The _prior pugna_ is
the one described in chaps. 97-99.
[562] 'He rode secretly, with few companions,' to another place, where
the Mauretanian infantry were attacking the rear of the Romans.
_Convertit_ for _convertit se_. See Zumpt, S 145.
[563] Respecting the position of _quos adversum_, instead of _adversum
quos_, see Zumpt, S 324.
[564] That is, _ipsius comitibus_.
[565] 'By making a skilful movement with his body,' _dum corpore evitat
tela_.
[566] A very graphic description of a field of battle after the fighting
is over. _Afflicti_, 'thrust down to the ground,' implying the notion
of persons being severely wounded. _Niti_, 'to attempt to rise.'
_Qua visus erat_, 'as far as one could see.'

102. Post ea loci[567] consul haud dubie jam victor pervenit in oppidum Cirtam, quo initio profectus intenderat.[568] Eo post diem quintum quam iterum barbari male pugnaverant, legati a Boccho veniunt, qui regis verbis ab Mario petivere, duos quam fidissimos ad eum mitteret, velle de suo et de populi Romani commodo[569] cum iis disserere. Ille statim L. Sullam et A. Manlium ire jubet. Qui quamquam acciti ibant, tamen placuit[570] verba apud regem facere, uti ingenium aut aversum flecterent aut cupidum pacis vehementius accenderent. Itaque Sulla, cujus facundiae, non aetati, a Manlio concessum, pauca verba hujuscemodi locutus:

'Rex Bocche, magna nobis laetitia est, quum te talem virum di monuere, uti aliquando pacem quam bellum malles, neu te optimum cum pessimo omnium Jugurtha miscendo commaculares, simul nobis demeres acerbam necessitudinem, pariter te errantem atque illum sceleratissimum persequi. Ad hoc populo Romano jam a principio melius visum amicos quam servos quaerere; tutiusque rati[571] volentibus quam coactis imperitare. Tibi vero nulla opportunior nostra amicitia, primum, quod procul absumus, in quo offensae minimum, gratia par ac si prope adessemus; dein quod parentes abunde habemus, amicorum neque nobis neque cuiquam omnium satis fuit. Atque hoc utinam a principio tibi placuisset: profecto ex populo Romano ad hoc tempus multo plura bona accepisses, quarn mala perpessus es.[572] Sed quoniam humanarum rerum fortuna pleraque regit, cui scilicet placuisse[573] et vim et gratiam nostram te experiri, nunc, quando per illam licet, festina atque, uti coepisti, perge. Multa atque opportuna habes,[574] quo facilius errata officiis superes. Postremo hoc in pectus tuum demitte,[575] nunquam populum Romanum beneficiis victum esse; nam bello quid valeat, tute scis.'

Ad ea Bocchus placide et benigne; simul pauca pro delicto suo verba facit: 'Se non hostili animo, sed ob regnum tutandum arma cepisse; nam Numidiae partem, unde vi Jugurtham expulerit,[576] jure belli suam factam; eam vastari a Mario pati nequivisse; praeterea missis antea Romam legatis, repulsum ab amicitia. Ceterum vetera omittere ac tum,[577] si per Marium liceret, legates ad senatum missurum.' Dein, copia facta,[578] animus barbari ab amicis flexus, quos Jugurtha, cognita legatione Sullae et Manlii, metuens id, quod parabatur, donis corruperat.

[567] _Post ea loci_, 'afterwards.'
[568] 'Whither he had at first directed his march. '_Profectus_ might
have been omitted, but its meaning is, 'having once set out on his
march.'
[569] 'About what was useful to him and to the Roman people.'
[570] _Placuit_; supply _eos_, which might also have been expressed by
the relative pronoun, _quos placuit_. See Zumpt, S 804. The
ambassadors, having been summoned by the king himself to hear his
proposals, were not under the necessity of addressing him; but they
probably had orders to speak first, in order that, if he were not
favourably inclined towards the Romans, they might try to win him
over, or if he were favourably disposed, to strengthen him in his
designs.
[571] _Rati_; namely, _Romani_, which must be taken out of _populo
Romano_.
[572] The manuscripts have _esses_, which can be explained only by an
amalgamation of the two clauses, and might be conceived as a form
of politeness which is not contained in _perpessus es_.
[573] The infinitive _placuisse_ depends on _scilicet_, which is here
quite the same as _scire licet_, as in chaps. 4 and 113. In ordinary
language, _scilicet_ is a mere adverb, 'evidently,' 'forsooth.'
[574] 'You have many opportunities;' consequently the same as _magnam
opportunitatem_. See Zumpt, S 756.
[575] _Demittere in pectus_, 'to impress uponone's mind,' _sibi
persuadere_.
[576] This is a diplomatic falsehood, as hitherto Bocchus had committed
no act of hostility towards Jugurtha, and had occupied no part of
Numidia against his will; but it may be that Jugurtha had promised
to give up to him a part of Numidia, if he should succeed in
recovering the whole. That Bocchus actually wished to have a part
of Numidia, is clear from his negotiation with Sulla, chap. 111.
[577] _Tum_, 'now.' See Zumpt, S 732.
[578] Namely, _legates mittendi_, 'after he had obtained permission to
despatch an embassy to Rome.'

103. Marius interea, exercitu in hibernaculis[579] composito, cum expeditis cohortibus et parte equitatus proficiscitur in loca sola, obsessum turrim[580] regiam, quo Jugurtha perfugas omnes praesidium imposuerat. Tum rursus Bocchus, seu reputando, quae sibi duobus proeliis venerant,[581] seu admonitus ab aliis amicis, quos incorruptos Jugurtha reliquerat,[582] ex omni copia necessariorum quinque delegit, quorum et fides cognita et ingenia validissima erant. Eos ad Marium, ac dein, si placeat, Romam legates ire jubet, agendarum rerum et quocunque modo belli componendi licentiam ipsis permittit. Illi mature ad hiberna Romanorum proficiscuntur, deinde in itinere a Gaetulis latronibus circumventi spoliatique, pavidi, sine decore ad Sullam profugiunt, quem consul in expeditionem proficiscens pro praetore reliquerat.[583] Eos ille non pro vanis hostibus,[584] uti meriti erant, sed accurate ac liberaliter habuit; qua re barbari et famam Romanorum avaritiae falsam et Sullam ob munificentiam in sese amicum rati. Nam etiamtum largitio multis ignota erat; munificus nemo putabatur nisi pariter volens,[585] dona omnia in benignitate habebantur.[586] Igitur quaestori mandata Bocchi patefaciunt; simul ab eo petunt, uti fautor consultorque sibi adsit; copias, fidem, magnitudinem regis sui et alia, quae aut utilia aut benevolentiae[587] esse credebant, oratione extollunt; dein Sulla omnia pollicito, docti, quo modo apud Marium, item apud senatum verba facerent, circiter dies quadraginta ibidem opperiuntur.

[579] _Hibernacula_, 'a winter-camp;' the same as _hiberna_,
'winter-quarters;' for in chap. 100 it was stated that Marius ordered
quarters to be taken in the maritime towns. It is, however, doubtful
whether he placed the whole army in those towns, or whether he
ordered a portion to spend the winter in barracks, or leathern tents
made for the purpose. If the latter--_in hibernaculis_ is used in its
proper sense.
[580] _Turrim_ is here the same as _castellum_. _Perfugae omnes_ are not
'all the deserters,' but 'nothing but deserters,' or 'all deserters;'
for all the soldiers of the garrison consisted of deserters.
[581] _Venerant_ has the meaning of _evenerant_. Respecting _sibi_ for
_ipsi_, see p. 121, note 2 [note 320].
[582] _Reliquerat_, not 'he had left them behind,' which is the usual
meaning of _relinquo_, but 'he had left them unbribed:' that is, he
had neglected to bribe them.
[583] That is, he had given him the praetorian imperium during his
absence, and thereby appointed him independent commander.
[584] 'He did not treat them as untrustworthy enemies;' for they
were still enemies engaged in war with the Roman people, no peace
having yet been concluded. The epithet _vani_ belongs to them,
because their master had hitherto shown himself irresolute, sometimes
suing for peace, and sometimes carrying on war. _Accurate_, 'with
care,' 'with respect.'
[585] _Volens_ expresses a hearty inclination to do that which one does.
[586] 'Were considered as acts of kindness,' as parts or proofs of a
kindly disposition.
[587] _Benevolentiae sunt_, 'are calculated to produce good-will' towards
the king.

104. Marius postquam confecto negotio, quo intenderat, Cirtam redit, de adventu legatorum certior factus, illosque et Sullam venire jubet,[588] item L. Bellienum praetorum Utica, praeterea omnes undique senatorii ordinis, quibuscum mandata Bocchi cognoscit. Legatis potestas eundi Romam fit ab consule; interea induciae postulabantur. Ea[589] Sullae et plerisque placuere; pauci ferocius decernunt, scilicet ignari humanarum rerum, quae fluxae et mobiles semper in adversa mutantur.[590] Ceterum Mauri, impetratis omnibus, tres Romam profecti cum Gn. Octavio Rufo,[591] qui quaestor stipendium in Africam portaverat; duo ad regem redeunt. Ex his Bocchus quum cetera, tum maxime benignitatem et studium Sullae libens accepit. Romae legatis ejus, postquam errasse regem et Jugurthae scelere lapsura deprecati sunt,[592] amicitiam et foedus petentibus hoc modo respondetur:

'Senatus et populus Romanus beneficii et injuriae memor esse solet. Ceterum Boccho, quoniam poenitet, delicti gratiam facit;[593] foedus et amicitia dabantur, quum meruerit.'

[588] Sulla undoubtedly had his quarters near the Mauretanian frontier;
that is, in the extreme west; as the ambassador of Bocchus fled to
him. Marius summoned him to his head-quarters, Cirta, whither he also
summoned the praetor Bellienus from Utica. This praetor was no doubt
propraetor of the province of Africa, sent thither from Rome to
undertake the regular administration, but he was at the same time
placed at the disposal of the consul Marius; for as a propraetor had
the _jus praetorem_ in his province, he was sometimes simply called
praetor; thus Verres is often called praetor of Sicily. All the other
military commanders who happened to be in the province, and were of
senatorial rank, were likewise summoned to Cirta, in order to give
weight and dignity to the preliminary negotiations for peace, for its
real conclusion rested with the senate.
[589] _Ea_, the neuter plural, though referring to _induciae_.
[590] Namely, when previously they have been successful, as had hitherto
been the case with the Roman war.
[591] The manuscripts have _Rufone_, which unusual name must be
corrected either into _Rufo_ or _Rusone_. We prefer _Rufo_, because
Suetonius, in his life of Octavianus, mentions the _Octavii Rufi_ as
a senatorial family of the time here spoken of.
[592] _Deprecati sunt_; that is, _deprecantes dixerunt_; for _deprecari_
properly signifies 'to avert something by prayers.'
[593] _Gratiam facere_, 'to grant pardon for something.' To _quoniam
poenitet_ we must supply _eum_.

105. Quis rebus cognitis Bocchus per litteras a Mario petivit, uti Sullam ad se mitteret, cujus arbitratu de communibus negotiis consuleretur.[594] Is missus cum praesidio equitum atque peditum, funditorum Balearium;[595] praeterea iere sagittarii et cohors Peligna cum velitaribus armis, itineris properandi causa, neque his secus atque aliis armis adversum tela hostium, quod ea levia sunt, muniti. Sed in itinere quinto denique die Volux filius Bocchi, repente in campis patentibus cum mille non amplius[596] equitibus sese ostendit, qui temere et effuse euntes Sullae aliisque omnibus et numerum ampliorem vero et hostilem metum efficiebant. Igitur se quisque expedire, arma atque tela temptare, intendere,[597] timor aliquantus, sed spes amplior, quippe victoribus, et adversum eos, quos saepe vicerant. Interim equites exploratum praemissi rem uti erat[598] quietam nuntiant.

[594] 'By whose decision a final determination might be come to
respecting the common affairs.' Respecting the ablative _arbitratu_,
see Zumpt, S 190.
[595] The infantry which, besides an escort of Roman cavalry, was
sent to accompany Sulla, consisted of light-armed troops, who were
prepared both to march through uncultivated districts, and to fight
with the barbarians. Roman infantry could not have kept up with
the cavalry. The inhabitants of the Balearian Islands (Majorca,
Minorca, and Iviza) were celebrated in antiquity as slingers; and
as _socii_ of the Romans, they furnished slingers for the Roman
armies. Their weapon was a leathern sling, by which leaden balls
were thrown, with great skill and accuracy, at a distance of 500
paces. The _Pelignians_ are a people of central Italy, not far from
the Adriatic, with two important towns, Corfinium and Sulmo. All
the Italian nations which had then not yet received the Roman
franchise furnished their auxiliary cohorts of 400, 500, or 800 men
to the Roman army. Whether the Pelignians always bore _arma
velitaria_ (a round shield, a short sword, and a light javelin), or
whether they did so only on this occasion, is doubtful; but it seems
that this was their proper armour.
[596] _Non amplius_. See Zumpt, S 485.
[597] 'They tried (tested) their arms and darts, and directed them
against the supposed enemy,' but without making actual use of them.
[598] 'As was in reality the case;' namely, that the approaching cavalry
had no hostile intentions.

106. Volux adveniens quaestorem appellat dicitque se a patre Boccho obviam illis simul et praesidio missum. Deinde eum et proximum diem sine metu conjuncti eunt. Post ubi castra locata et diei vesper erat; repente Maurus incerto vultu, pavens ad Sullam accurrit dicitque sibi ex speculatoribus cognitum, Jugurtham haud procul abesse; simul, uti noctu clam secum profugeret, rogat atque hortatur. Ille animo feroci negat se toties fusum Numidam pertimescere; virtuti suorum satis credere;[599] etiamsi certa pestis adesset, mansurum potius quam proditis, quos ducebat, turpi fuga incertae ac forsitan post paulo morbo interiturae vitae parceret.[600] Ceterum ab eodem monitus, uti noctu proficiscerentur, consilium approbat, ac statim milites coenatos esse, in castris ignes quam creberrimos fieri, dein prima vigilia silentio egredi jubet. Jamque nocturno itinere fessis omnibus Sulla pariter cum ortu solis castra metabatur, quum equites Mauri nuntiant Jugurtham circiter duum milium intervallo ante eos[601] consedisse. Quod postquam auditum est, tum vero ingens metus nostros invadit; credere se proditos a Voluce et insidiis circumventos. Ac fuere, qui dicerent manu vindicandum neque apud illum tantum scelus inultum relinquendum.

[599] To this and the following infinitive we must supply _dicit_, which
is to be taken out of the preceding _negat_. See Zumpt, S 774.
[600] _Mansurum potius, quam--vitae parceret_ is correctly said, though
it might also be _quam vitae parsurum_. See Zumpt, S 603, 2. The
indicative _quos ducebat_ is a remark of the historian; _quos
duceret_ would be a remark of the speaker, which would here have been
the regular form. _Coenatos esse_, 'they were to have finished
dining.' See Zumpt, S 148.
[601] _Ante eos_, 'before them;' that is, on the road along which they
had to march.

107. At Sulla, quamquam eadem existimabat, tamen ab injuria Maurum prohibet;[602] suos hortatur, uti fortem animum gererent; saepe ante paucis strenuis[603] adversum multitudinem bene pugnatum; quanto sibi in proelio minus pepercissent, tanto tutiores fore, nec quemquam decere, qui manus armaverit, ab inermis[604] pedibus auxilium petere, in maximo metu nudum et caecum corpus ad hostes vertere. Deinde Volucem, quoniam hostilia faceret, Jovem maximum obtestatus, ut sceleris atque perfidiae Bocchi testis adesset, ex castris abire jubet. Ille lacrimans orare, ne ea crederet; nihil dolo factum, ac magis calliditate Jugurthae, cui videlicet speculanti iter suum cognitum esset. Ceterum, quoniam neque ingentem multitudinem haberet et spes opesque ejus ex patre suo penderent, credere illum nihil palam ausurum, quum ipse filius testis adesset; quare optimum factu[605] videri per media ejus castra palam transire; sese vel praemissis vet ibidem relictis Mauris solum cum Sulla iturum. Ea res ut in tali negotio[606] probata; ac statim profecti, quia de improviso acciderant,[607] dubio atque haesitante Jugurtha, incolumes transeunt. Deinde paucis diebus, quo ire intenderant, perventum est.

[602] 'He protects the Mauretanian against violence.'
[603] A dative. See Zumpt, S 419.
[604] The same as _inermibus_. See Zumpt, S 101. _Nudum et caecum
corpus_, 'the undefended part of the body, and not provided with
eyes;' that is, the back, which a person ought not to turn towards
the enemy, if he wants to be safe.
[605] 'It seemed to him to be the most advisable.' Instead of _factu_,
other editions have _factum_, 'it seemed to him to be the best
thing.'
[606] 'As the matter stood,' a limitation suggesting that, under other
circumstances, that dangerous way would not have been chosen.
[607] 'As they had come upon him unexpectedly;' for Jugurtha had
not imagined that the Romans would thus, without negotiation, pass
through his lines.

108. Ibi cum Boccho Numida quidam, Aspar nomine, multum et familiariter agebat, praemissus ab Jugurtha, postquam Sullam accitum audierat, orator[608] et subdole speculatum Bocchi consilia; praeterea Dabar, Massugradae filius, ex gente Masinissae, ceterum materno genere impar (nam pater ejus ex concubina ortus erat), Mauro ob ingenii multa bona carus acceptusque. Quem Bocchus fidum esse Romanis multis ante tempestatibus expertus illico ad Sullam nuntiatum mittit paratum sese facere, quae populus Romanus vellet; colloquio diem, locum, tempus ipse delegeret; consulta sese omnia cum illo integra habere;[609] neu Jugurthae legatum pertimesceret, quo res communis licentius gereretur;[610] nam ab insidiis ejus aliter caveri[611] nequivisse. Sed ego comperior Bocchum magis Punica fide[612] quam ob ea, quae praedicabat, simul Romanos et Numidam spe pacis attinuisse multumque cum animo suo volvere solitum, Jugurtham Romanis an illi Sullam traderet; libidinem[613] adversum nos, metum pro nobis suasisse.

[608] 'As ambassador with a public commission,' though at the same time
he privately acted the part of a spy.
[609] 'That he kept firmly and unalterably everything which had been
previously determined upon with Sulla.'
[610] 'In order that the common business might be conducted the more
carelessly.' The laying aside of fear in the presence of Jugurtha's
ambassador was to induce Sulla to carry on the negotiations for peace
more openly, frankly, and incautiously, since, under the influence of
fear, he would have been cautious and mistrustful. _Non pertimescere_
are joined together as one idea, somewhat in the sense of
_contemnere_, 'he should disregard' the ambassador, and accordingly
act with Bocchus more confidentially.
[611] The infinitive of the impersonal passive _cavetur ab insidiis_,
'precaution is taken against snares.'
[612] _Punica fides_ is proverbially the same as _mala fides_, the
Carthaginians being generally regarded by the Romans as perfidious
double-dealers. _Attinere_ is the same as _morari_, 'to detain.'
[613] 'His inclination.'

109. Igitur Sulla respondit, pauca coram Aspare locuturum, cetera occulte aut nullo aut quam paucissimis praesentibus; simul edocet, quae sibi responderentur. Postquam sicuti voluerat congressi, dicit se missum a consule venisse quaesitum ab eo, pacem an bellum agitaturus foret. Tum rex, uti praeceptum fuerat, post diem decimum redire jubet, ac nihil etiamnunc[614] decrevisse, sed illo die responsurum. Dein ambo in sua castra digressi. Sed ubi plerumque noctis processit, Sulla a Boccho occulte accersitur; ab utroque tantummodo fidi interpretes adhibentur, praeterea Dabar internuntius, sanctus vir et ex sententia ambobus.[615] Ac statim sic rex incipit:

[614] 'And _says_ (which must be taken from the preceding _jubet_) that
as yet he had determined upon nothing.' As past time is here
spoken of, it should properly not be _etiamnunc_, but _etiamtunc_;
and it is doubtful as to whether the reading of some manuscripts _tum
etiam_ ought not to be received into the text. If _etiamnunc_ is
correct, we must explain it by supposing that the historian abandons
the character of a narrator of past events, and transfers himself to
the present.
[615] 'A conscientious (trustworthy) man, and acceptable to both' (Sulla
and Bocchus).

110. 'Nunquam ego ratus sum fore, uti rex maximus in hac terra et omnium, quos novi, privato homini[616] gratiam deberem. Et mehercule, Sulla, ante te cognitum multis orantibus, aliis ultro egomet opem tuli, nullius indigui.[617] Id imminutum, quod ceteri dolere solent, ego laetor; fuerit mihi eguisse[618] aliquando amicitiae tuae, qua apud animum meum nihil carius habeo. Id adeo experiri licet:[619] arma, viros, pecuniam, postremo quidquid animo libet, sume, utere; et quoad vives, nunquam tibi redditam gratiam putaveris; semper apud me integra[620] erit; denique nihil me sciente frustra voles. Nam, ut ego aestimo, regem armis quam munificentia vinci minus flagitiosum est.[621] Ceterum de re publica vestra, cujus curator huc missus es, paucis accipe. Bellum ego populo Romano neque feci neque factum umquam volui:[622] fines meos adversum armatos armis tutatus sum. Id omitto, quando vobis ita placet; gerite quod vultis cum Jugurtha bellum. Ego flumen Mulucham, quod inter me et Micipsam fuit, non egrediar neque id intrare Jugurtham sinam. Praeterea si quid meque vobisque dignum petiveris, haud repulsus abibis.[623]

[616] The king calls the quaestor Sulla a private person, being
unwilling, as a king, to allow any one a public character who is not,
like himself, a king. But in the opinion of the Romans, the quaestor
Sulla was by no means a private person.
[617] 'I have assisted many at their request, and others of my own accord
(unasked), while I myself was in need of no man's assistance.'
[618] _Fuerit mihi eguisse_, the concessive mood: 'granting that it was
the case that I needed,' might also have been expressed simly by
_eguerim_.
[619] 'This you may try at once.' For this meaning of _adeo_, whereby
that which precedes is confirmed by the result, see Zumpt, S 281.
[620] 'Unimpaired,' 'in the same condition.'
[621] We should express the same idea rather thus: _regem munificentia
vinci flagitiosius est, quam armis_.
[622] About _factum volui_, see Zumpt, S 611.
[623] 'Your wish will not be refused by me.' Bocchus no doubt here
alludes to the surrender of Jugurtha, but he is yet doubtful as to
whether it is worthy of himself.

111. Ad ea Sulla pro se breviter et modice, de pace et de communibus rebus multis disseruit. Denique regi patefecit, 'quod polliceatur, senatum et populum Romanum, quoniam amplius armis valuissent, non in gratiam habituros;[624] faciundum aliquid, quod illorum magis quam sua rettulisse videretur; id adeo in promptu esse, quoniam Jugurthae copiam haberet; quem si Romanis tradidisset, fore, ut illi plurimum deberetur; amicitiam, foedus, Numidiae partem, quam nunc peteret, tunc ultro adventuram.'[625] Rex primo negitare;[626] affinitatem, cognationem, praeterea foedus intervenisse; ad hoc metuere, ne fluxa fide usus popularium animos averteret, quis et Jugurtha carus et Romani invisi erant. Denique saepius fatigatus lenitur et ex voluntate Sullae omnia se facturum promittit. Ceterum ad simulandam pacem, cujus Numida defessus bello avidissimus, quae utilia visa, constituunt. Ita composito dolo digrediuntur.

[624] 'What he promised them, they would not consider as a favour (as a
thing for which they owed him gratitude); that he must do something
beyond, something that might appear to be their interest more than
his.'
[625] 'Would then come to him,' implying an advantage gained without
exertion.
[626] _Negitare_, a rare word, but very expressive; for the simple
_negare_, in a case like this, is stronger than a repeated assertion
that you cannot, or will not, do a certain thing. The _affinitas_
(connexion by marriage) refers to what is mentioned chap. 80, a
daughter of Bocchus being married to Jugurtha. Respecting their
cognatio_ (relation by blood) nothing is known, but there must have
been a family connexion between the neighbouring kings.
_Intervenisse_--that is, _factum esse_--referring especially to
_foedus_.

112. At rex postero die Asparem Jugurthae legatum appellat dicitque sibi per Dabarem ex Sulla cognitum, posse condicionibus bellum poni;[627] quamobrem regis sui sententiam exquireret. Ille laetus in castra Jugurthae venit; dein ab illo cuncta edoctus, properato itinere post diem octavum redit ad Bocchum et ei denuntiat, 'Jugurtham cupere omnia, quae imperarentur, facere, sed Mario parum confidere; saepe antea cum imperatoribus Romanis pacem conventam[628] frustra fuisse. Ceterum Bocchus si ambobus consultum et ratam pacem vellet, daret operam, ut una ab omnibus quasi de pace in colloquium veniretur, ibique sibi Sullam traderet; quum talem virum in potestatem habuisset,[629] tum fore, uti jussu senatus populique Romani foedus fieret, neque hominem nobilem non sua ignavia sed ob rem publicam[630] in hostium potestate relictum iri.'

[627] 'That the war could be brought to a close by mutual concessions.'
[628] _Pax conventa_, 'the peace which is agreed upon.' Observe the
rare use of the passive participle; for _convenire_ is commonly
intransitive--as _pax convenit_, a 'peace is concluded.'
[629] _In potestatem habere_ is ungrammatical for _in potestate habere_,
but is found now and then. See Zumpt, S 316.
[630] The expression is somewhat contorted; for the inserted clause
_non sua ignavia sed ob rem publicam_ should have a verb of its own,
which, however, would be a part of the leading verb--namely, _qui
in hostium potestate esset_.

113. Haec Maurus secum ipse diu volvens tandem promisit, ceterum dolo an vere cunctatus, parum comperimus. Sed plerumque regiae voluntates, ut vehementes, sic mobiles, saepe ipsae sibi adversae.[631] Postea tempore et loco constituto, in colloquium uti de pace veniretur, Bocchus Sullam modo, modo Jugurthae legatum appellare, benigne habere, idem ambobus polliceri. Illi pariter laeti ac spei bonae pleni esse. Sed nocte ea, quae proxima fuit ante diem colloquio decretum, Maurus adhibitis amicis ac statim, immutata voluntate, remotis ceteris,[632] dicitur secum ipse multa agitavisse, vultu [633] corporis pariter atque animo varius, quae scilicet tacente ipso occulta pectoris patefecisse. Tamen postremo Sullam accersi jubet et ex ejus sententia Numidae insidias tendit. Deinde, ubi dies advenit et ei nuntiatum est Jugurtham haud procul abesse, cum paucis amicis et quaestore nostro quasi obvius honoris causa procedit in tumulum facillimum visu insidiantibus. Eodem Numida cum plerisque necessariis suis inermis, uti dictum erat,[634] accedit ac statim, signo dato, undique simul ex insidiis invaditur. Ceteri obtruncati; Jugurtha Sullae vinctus traditur, et ab eo ad Marium deductus est.[635]

[631] 'In contradiction with themselves,' 'contradictory.'
[632] 'The king first summoned his councillors, then dismissed them
immediately, and for a long time meditated by himself.' _Ceteris_
refers to the preceding _amicis_, but is used instead of _iis_, to
form antithesis to himself: 'after the removal of all the rest, he
deliberated by himself.'
[633] _Vultus_, chiefly 'the look of the eyes,' but also 'the features of
the countenance,' by which the inward emotions are manifested;
hence Sallust here, by the addition of _corporis_, opposes the
outward expression to the emotions of the mind: 'He changed (varied)
in the expression of his bodily features as much as in his
sentiments.' _Quae scilicet patefecisse_, 'which, as could be seen,
revealed his mental emotions.' _Quae_ is the neuter plural, and
_scilicet_ contains the leading verb.
[634] That is, _ut praeceptum erat_, and not _dictum_ in the sense of
_edictum_; for according to the deceitful agreement, the _condiciones
pacis_ were to be determined peaceably.
[635] Sallust passes very rapidly over the catastrophe of a king who
had worn out, by simulation and war, the Roman armies for six
years. He was taken prisoner in B.C. 106, when Marius was no
longer consul, but yet remained in Africa as proconsul. Sulla
considered the capture of Jugurtha to be an event so important, and
to himself so glorious, that he had it engraved on his sealing ring.

114. Per idem tempus[636] adversura Gallos ab ducibus nostris Q. Caepione et Gn. Manlio male pugnatum; quo metu Italia omnis contremuerat. Illique[637] et inde usque ad nostram memoriam Romani sic habuere, alia omnia virtuti suae prona esse: cum Gallis pro salute, non pro gloria, certare.[638] Sed postquam bellum in Numidia confectum et Jugurtham Romam vinctum adduci nuntiatum est, Marius consul absens factus et ei decreta provincia Gallia; isque Kalendis Januariis[639] magna gloria consul triumphavit. Ea tempestate spes atque opes civitatis in illo sitae.

[636] 'During the same time;' that is, the time during which Marius,
as proconsul, was still in Africa, occupied no doubt with the
regulation of the affairs which, owing to the long war, had fallen
into disorder. Bocchus received a part of western Numidia, as far as
the river Ampsaga; and Numidia was divided between Hiempsal
and Hiarbas, two princes of the family of Masinissa. These and
other matters detained Marius in Africa during the year B.C. 105,
in which the Romans under the consul Gn. Manlius and the proconsul
Q. Caepio, suffered a great defeat from the Cimbri, on the
river Rhodanus. This led to the second consulship of Marius, in
B.C. 104. The people whom Sallust here calls Gauls (_Galli_) are
the Cimbri and Teutones, German tribes coming from the countries
about the Elbe. This mistake must be accounted for by the general
difficulty of distinguishing Celtic (Gallic) from Germanic tribes,
and also by the circumstance that the Cimbri had for many years been
wandering about in Gaul.
[637] _Illique_; that is, the Romans then living, as opposed to those in
the time of Sallust. _Sic habuere_, 'entertained this opinion.'
[638] _Certare_; supply _se_; unless we read _certari_, to which it is
easier to supply a _se_.
[639] On the 1st of January B.C. 104. We may here observe, that
Jugurtha, after he had adorned the triumphal procession at Rome,
was put to death in the public prison near the Forum--which is
described by Sallust, _Cat._ 55--at the same hour in which Marius
offered up his thanksgiving to Jupiter Optimus Maximus in the
Capitol.