Chapter C: Sallustii Crispi (3)

[250] The consuls here mentioned entered upon their office on the 1st
of January, 109 B.C. The preparation for the campaign accordingly
belongs to the latter part of the year 110.
[251] 'An opponent of the popular party;' _adversus_ being used as a
substantive, in the sense of _adversarius_; as an adjective, it is
construed with the dative.
[252] _Cum collega_, a short expression for _conjuncta cum collega_,
'everything else he considered as common between himself and his
colleague, but to the Numidian war he alone directed his attention,
as though it were his own exclusive business.'
[253] _Praesidia_ is generally 'resources;' but here the same as
_auxilia_, 'auxiliary troops.'
[254] _Contusae_, from _contundere_, for _imminutae_, _debilitatae_,
_fractae_.

44. Sed ubi in Africam venit, exercitus ei traditur a Sp. Albino pro consule iners, imbellis, neque periculi neque laboris patiens, lingua quam manu promptior, praedator[255] ex sociis et ipse praeda hostium, sine imperio et modestia habitus. Ita imperatori novo plus ex malis moribus sollicitudinis quam ex copia militum auxilii aut spei bonae accedebat. Statuit tamen Metellus, quamquam et aestivorum tempus[256] comitiorum mora imminuerat, et expectatione eventus civium animos intentos putabat, non prius bellum attingere quam majorum disciplina milites laborare coegisset. Nam Albinus, Auli fratris exercitusque clade perculsus, postquam decreverat non egredi provincia, quantum temporis aestivorum in imperio fuit,[257] plerumque milites stativis castris habebat, nisi quum odos[258] aut pabuli egestas locum mutare subegerat. Sed neque muniebantur ea, neque more militari vigiliae deducebantur; uti cuique libebat, ab signis aberat: lixae permixti cum militibus die noctuque vagabantur; palantes agros vastare, villas expugnare, pecoris et mancipiorum praedas certantes agere, eaque mutare cum mercatoribus[259] vino advectitio et aliis talibus; praeterea frumentum publice datum vendere, panem in dies mercari; postremo, quaecunque dici aut fingi queunt ignaviae luxuriaeque probra, ea in illo exercitu cuncta fuere et alia amplius.

[255] _Praedator_, belonging to _exercitus_, is the same as _praedas
agens_, 'carrying off booty.' See Zumpt, S 102, note 2.
[256] _Aestivorum tempus_ is the time suited for the campaign. To
_aestivorum_ supply _castrorum_, 'a summer-camp,' and 'a campaign
made in summer;' hence, also, 'a campaign' in general, inasmuch as
warlike operations were but rarely carried on in winter.
[257] _Albinus_, during a portion of the summer of the year 109 B. C.,
continued to command as proconsul, while the consul Metellus was
detained at Rome by the election of the consuls for the year
B. C. 108.
[258] _Odos_ for _odor_. See Zumpt, S 7.
[259] _Cum mercatoribus_, 'in intercourse with merchants.' The
merchandise, in return for which another commodity is given, is
expressed by the ablative. See Zumpt, S 456.

45. Sed in ea difficultate Metellum non minus quam in rebus hostilibus magnum et sapientem virum fuisse comperior; tanta temperantia inter ambitionem[260] saevitiamque moderatum: namque edicto primum adjumenta ignaviae sustulisse, ne quisquam in castris panem aut quem alium coctum cibum venderet, ne lixae exercitum sequerentur, ne miles gregarius in castris neve in agmine servum aut jumentum haberet; ceteris arte modum statuisse.[261] Praeterea transversis itineribus cotidie castra movere, juxta ac si hostes adessent, vallo atque fossa munire, vigilias crebras ponere et eas ipse cum legatis circumire, item in agmine in primis modo, modo in postremis, saepe in medio adesse, ne quisquam ordine egrederetur, uti cum signis frequentes incederent, miles cibum et arma portaret. Ita prohibendo a delictis magis quam vindicando exercitum brevi confirmavit.

[260] _Ambitio_, 'courting favour;' hence here in the sense of
'indulgence,' 'connivance,' these being the ordinary means to obtain
the favour of the multitude.
[261] _Ceteris arte modum statuisse_ still depends upon _comperior_, 'I
learn (that is, we are informed) that for the rest (of the wants) he
fixed the measure in a close (niggardly) manner;' for _arte_ is the
adverb of _artus_, which is frequently, though not correctly, written
_arcte_. It must not be confounded with _arte_ from _ars_. Sallust
might have said, _ceteris (rebus) artum modum statuisse_.

46. Interea Jugurtha, ubi quae Metellus agebat ex nuntiis accepit, simul de innocentia ejus certior Romae factus, diffidere suis rebus ac tum demum veram deditionem facere conatus est. Igitur legatos ad consulem cum suppliciis[262] mittit, qui tantummodo ipsi liberisque vitam peterent, alia omnia dederent populo Romano. Sed Metello jam antea experimentis cognitum erat genus Numidarum infidum, ingenio mobili, novarum rerum avidum esse. Itaque legatos alium ab alio diversos aggreditur,[263] ac paulatim temptando, postquam opportunos sibi cognovit, multa pollicendo persuadet, uti Jugurtham maxime[264] vivum, sin id parum procedat, necatum sibi traderent; ceterum palam, quae ex voluntate forent,[265] regi nuntiari jubet. Deinde ipse paucis diebus intento atque infesto exercitu in Numidiam procedit, ubi contra belli faciem tuguria plena hominum, pecora cultoresque in agris erant; ex oppidis et mapalibus praefecti regis obvii procedebant, parati frumentum dare, commeatum portare, postremo omnia, quae imperarentur, facere. Neque Metellus idcirco minus, sed pariter ac si hostes adessent, munito agmine incedere, late explorare omnia, illa deditionis signa ostentui credere et insidiis locum temptari. Itaque ipse cum expeditis cohortibus, item funditorum et sagittariorum delecta manu apud primos erat, in postremo G. Marius legatus cum equitibus curabat, in utrumque latus auxiliarios equites tribunis legionum et praefectis cohortium dispertiverat, ut cum his permixti velites, quocunque accederent equitatus[266] hostium, propulsarent. Nam in Jugurtha tantus dolus tantaque peritia locorum et militiae erat, ut absens an praesens, pacem an bellum gerens perniciosior esset, in incerto haberetur.

[262] _Supplicia_ here, as elsewhere, are _supplices preces_, 'humble
prayers,' or 'petitions.' Compare chap. 66.
[263] 'He applies to the ambassadors one by one;' that is, he tries them
one by one, _temptat singulos_.
[264] _Maxime_, the same as _potissimum_. Compare chap. 35.
[265] 'What would be in accordance with his wish;' namely, the granting
of his request.
[266] The plural _equitatus_ is rare; here it refers to different troops
of cavalry, as in Caesar, _Bell. Civ._ i. 61. To _propulsarent_
supply _eos_. See Zumpt, S 766.

47. Erat haud longe ab eo itinere, quo Metellus pergebat, oppidum Numidarum, nomine Vaga, forum rerum venalium totius regni maxime celebratum,[267] ubi et incolere et mercari consueverant Italici generis multi mortales. Huc consul simul temptandi gratia, et si paterentur, opportunitate loci, praesidium imposuit;[268] praeterea imperavit frumentum et alia, quae bello usui forent, comportare,[269] ratus id quod res monebat, frequentiam negotiatorum et commeatum juvaturum exercitum et jam paratis rebus munimento fore. Inter haec negotia Jugurtha impensius modo[270] legatos supplices mittere, pacem orare, praeter suam liberorumque vitam omnia Metello dedere. Quos item, uti priores, consul illectos ad proditionem domum dimittebat, regi pacem quam postulabat neque abnuere neque polliceri et inter eas moras promissa legatorum exspectare.

[267] 'Most frequented;' for _celeber_, _bris_, _bre_, is commonly used
of densely peopled or much frequented places.
[268] Metellus placed a garrison in the city, partly to test the
sentiments of the inhabitants, and partly on account of the
advantages offered to him by the nature of the place, in case the
inhabitants should not object to a garrison of the Romans. The common
reading, _si paterentur opportunitates loci_, must be rejected, for
the words _si paterentur_ must refer to the inhabitants of the place,
and explain the preceding _temptandi gratia_. Another reading,
_opportunitatis_, to which _gratia_ must be supplied by the mind, has
the same meaning as _opportunitate_, the ablative of cause.
[269] 'He believed that the great number of merchants (in the town)
and the corn would be of use to the army, and protect the provisions
(of the Roman army) already accumulated,' so that the Roman stores
might be saved.
[270] _Impensius modo_; that is, _praeter modum_, 'beyond measure,'
'immoderately;' literally, 'stronger than the measure observed in
such matters.'

48. Jugurtha ubi Metelli dicta cum factis composuit ac se suis artibus temptari animadvertit, quippe cui verbis pax nuntiabatur, ceterum re bellum asperrimum erat, urbs maxima alienata, ager hostibus cognitus, animi popularium temptati, coactus rerum necessitudine statuit armis certare. Igitur explorato hostium itinere, in spem victoriae adductus ex opportunitate loci, quam maximas potest copias omnium generum parat ac per tramites occultos exercitum Metelli antevenit.[271] Erat in ea parte Numidiae, quam Adherbal in divisione possederat, flumen oriens a meridie, nomine Muthul; a quo aberat mons ferme milia passuum viginti tractu pari,[272] vastus ab natura et humano cultu. Sed ex eo medio quasi collis oriebatur, in immensum pertingens,[273] vestitus oleastro ac murtetis aliisque generibus arborum, quae humi arido atque arenoso[274] gignuntur. Media autem planities deserta penuria aquae, praeter flumini propinqua loca; ea consita arbustis, pecore atque cultoribus frequentabantur.

[271] _Exercitum antevenit_. See Zumpt, S 386, note.
[272] 'In an equal direction;' that is, likewise extending from south
to north.
[273] In the midst of this range there arose another group, extending
far and wide; and, as will be seen hereafter (chapter 49), in a
transverse direction (_transverso itinere_) from the range to the
river running parallel with it. _In immensum_, however, must be
understood relatively of a very great extent, and not absolutely of
an infinite extent.
[274] 'On dry and sandy ground' is a very singular expression, and
has been noticed as such by the Roman grammarians themselves;
for _humi_ (on the ground) is otherwise used without an adjective as
an adverb. The adjective is here put in the ablative, to denote the
place where, and in the neuter gender, _humi_ being regarded as
indeclinable. In ordinary language, it would be _in humo arida_.

49. Igitur in eo colle, quem transverso itinere porrectum docuimus, Jugurtha, extenuata suorum acie,[275] consedit, elephantis et parti copiarum pedestrium Bomilcarem praefecit eumque edocet, quae ageret; ipse propior montem[276] cum omni equitatu et peditibus delectis suos collocat. Dein singulas turmas et manipulos circumiens monet atque obtestatur, uti memores pristinae virtutis et victoriae sese regnumque suum ab Romanorum avaritia defendant; cum iis certamen fore, quos antea victos sub jugum miserint; ducem illis, non animum mutatum; quae ab imperatore decuerint,[277] omnia suis provisa, locum superiorem, ut prudentes cum imperitis, ne pauciores cum pluribus aut rudes cum bello melioribus manum consererent; proinde parati intentique essent signo dato Romanos invadere; illum diem aut omnes labores et victorias confirmaturum, aut maximarum aerumnarum initium fore. Ad hoc viritim, uti quemque ob militare facinus pecunia aut honore extulerat, commonefacere beneficii sui et eum ipsum aliis ostentare; postremo pro cujusque ingenio pollicendo, minitando, obtestando, alium alio modo excitare; quum interim Metellus, ignarus hostium, monte degrediens cum exercitu conspicitur,[278] primo dubius, quidnam insolita facies ostenderet (nam inter virgulta equi Numidaeque consederant, neque plane occultati humilitate arborum, et tamen incerti,[279] quidnam esset, cum natura loci tum dolo ipsi atque signa militaria obscurati); dein, brevi cognitis insidiis paulisper agmen constituit. Ibi commutatis ordinibus,[280] in dextero latere, quod proximum hostes erat, triplicibus subsidiis aciem instruxit, inter manipulos funditores et sagittarios dispertit, equitatum omnem in cornibus locat, ac pauca pro tempore milites hortatus aciem, sicuti instruxerat, transversis principiis[281] in planum deducit.

[275] 'The battle-line being long, but not deep.'
[276] _Montem_, the same as _monti_. See Zumpt, S 411.
[277] _Decuerint_. Sallust might have written _decuerit_ in the singular.
Compare Zumpt, S 226.
[278] _Quum interim Metellus--conspicitur_, is the apodosis. 'Then,
in the meantime, Metellus appears.' Respecting this use of _quum_
with the present indicative, see Zumpt, S 580, 2; for the
circumstance of _interim_ being used here, where we might expect
_subito_, does not alter the case, and only expresses that Jugurtha
was yet engaged in encouraging his army when Metellus became visible.
[279] _Incerti_ is here used passively and personally, 'uncertain what it
might be,' for _de quibus incertum erat, quidnam esset_; and the
neuter _quidnam_ is used in the sense of the masculine plural, 'it
was uncertain whether they were men, and what sort of men.' In like
manner we have seen (chapter 18) _ignarus_ used passively.
[280] 'With an alteration in the ranks,' those soldiers who had before
marched by the side of one another now being placed behind one
another, as the man who had till then been on the right wing of his
detachment suddenly turned to the right, with his face towards the
hill. On the right of the whole marching army, he now formed the
front towards the enemy (_aciem_), and strengthened by a threefold
reserve.
[281] 'The _principia_ standing transversely' (to the direction in which
till then the column had been). The march of the Roman army
was from east to west; the enemy appeared on the right flank, and
the Roman vanguard (_principia_) therefore turned round to face them
(that is, turning its face to the north), and it is this direction
which is expressed by _transversus_. _Principia_ is the vanguard,
because in a Roman legion the ten companies of _principes_ formed the
front line, while the _hastati_ constituted the second, and the
_triarii_ the third. In this manner the _principes_ here faced the
enemy, while the other divisions of the army drew up behind them as
a reserve.

50. Sed ubi Numidas quietos neque colle degredi animadvertit, veritus ex anni tempore et inopia aquae, ne siti conficeretur exercitus, Rutilium legatum cum expeditis cohortibus et parte equitum praemisit ad flumen, uti locum castris antecaperet, existimans hostes crebro impetu et transversis proeliis[282] iter suum remoraturos, et quoniam armis diffiderent, lassitudinem et sitim militum temptaturos.[283] Deinde ipse pro re atque loco, sicuti monte descenderat, paulatim procedere, Marium post principia habere, ipse cum sinistrae alae equitibus esse, qui in agmine principes facti erant.[284] At Jugurtha, ubi extremum agmen Metelli primos suos praetergressum videt, praesidio quasi duum milium peditum montem occupat, qua Metellus descenderat, ne forte cedentibus adversariis receptui ac post munimento foret; dein repente signo dato hostes invadit. Numidae alii postremos caedere, pars a sinistra ac dextera temptare, infensi adesse atque instare, omnibus locis Romanorum ordines conturbare, quorum etiam qui firmioribus animis obvii hostibus fuerant, ludificati incerto proelio, ipsi modo eminus sauciabantur, neque contra feriundi aut conserendi manum copia erat; ante jam docti ab Jugurtha equites, ubicunque Romanorum turma insequi coeperat, non confertim neque in unum sese recipiebant, sed alius alio quam maxime diversi. Ita numero priores,[285] si ab persequendo hostes deterrere nequiverant, disjectos ab tergo aut lateribus circumveniebant; sin opportunior fugae collis quam campi fuerat, ea[286] vero consueti Numidarum equi facile inter virgulta evadere; nostros asperitas et insolentia loci retinebat.

[282] _Transversis proeliis_, 'by attacks on the flanks'--namely, if the
Roman army should resume its march westward.
[283] _Temptare lassitudinem militum_, the same as _lassos milites
aggredi_.
[284] The army was drawn up in battle array facing the north, so that,
if it resumed its march westward, the part which formed the left
wing became the head of the column (_agmen_).
[285] _Priores_; that is, _superiores_, 'superior.'
[286] _Ea_, 'on this road,' or 'there.' _Evadere_, 'to ascend.' _Vero_ in
the apodosis renders it strong and emphatic. See Zumpt, S 716.

51. Ceterum facies totius negotii varia, incerta, foeda atque miserabilis; dispersi a suis pars cedere, alii insequi, neque signa neque ordines observare, ubi quemque periculum ceperat, ibi resistere ac propulsare, arma tela,[287] equi viri, hostes atque cives permixti, nihil consilio neque imperio agi, fors omnia regere: itaque multum diei processerat, quum etiamtum eventus in incerto erat. Denique omnibus labore et aestu languidis, Metellus ubi videt Numidas minus instare, paulatim milites in unum conducit, ordines restituit et cohortes legionarias quatuor adversum pedites hostium collocat. Eorum magna pars superioribus locis fessa consederat. Simul orare, hortari milites, ne deficerent, neu paterentur hostes fugientes vincere; neque illis[288] castra esse neque munimentum ullum, quo cedentes tenderent, in armis omnia sita. Sed ne Jugurtha quidem interea quietus erat; circumire, hortari, renovare proelium et ipse cum delectis temptare omnia, subvenire suis, hostibus dubiis instare, quos firmos cognoverat, eminus pugnando retinere.

[287] Respecting the omission of _et_, see Zumpt, S 782. _Arma_ and
_tela_ are the two kinds of arms, the one being used in a close
contest, and the other at a distance; the use of either of them
depended on chance (_fors regebat_). _Itaque_ in the next clause is
the same as et _ita_, and not the conjunction _itaque = igitur_.
[288] They had no camp, no fortifications into which they could retreat.
_Illis_ refers to the Romans addressed, and is rendered by the
emphatic they; instead of _illis_, the speaker might have used
_ipsis_ whereby he would have included himself, whereas now he is
speaking only of the soldiers. Compare Zumpt, S 702.

52. Eo modo inter se duo imperatores, summi viri certabant, ipsi pares, ceterum opibus disparibus. Nam Metello virtus militum erat, locus adversus, Jugurthae alia omnia praeter milites opportuna. Denique Romani, ubi intelligunt neque sibi perfugium esse neque ab hoste copiam pugnandi fieri (et jam diei[289] vesper erat) adverse colle, sicuti praeceptum fuerat, evadunt. Amisso loco Numidae fusi fugatique; pauci interiere, plerosque velocitas et regio hostibus ignara tutata sunt.[290] Interea Bomilcar, quem elephantis et parti copiarum pedestrium praefectum ab Jugurtha supra diximus, ubi cum Rutilius praetergressus est, paulatim suos in aequum locum deducit ac, dum legatus ad flumen, quo praemissus erat, festinans pergit, quietus, uti res postulabat, aciem exornat, neque remittit, quid ubique hostis ageret,[291] explorare. Postquam Rutilium consedisse jam et animo vacuum accepit, simulque ex Jugurthae proelio clamorem augeri, veritus, ne legatus cognita re laborantibus suis auxilio foret, aciem, quam diffidens virtuti militum arte statuerat,[292] quo hostium itineri officeret, latius porrigit, eoque modo ad Rutilii castra procedit.

[289] _Diei_; other editions have _die_, an obsolete form of the fifth
declension. _Adverso colle evadunt_, 'they worked their way up the
opposite hill.' The author might have said _in adversum collem,_
'they ascended it.'
[290] The neuter predicate _tutata sunt_ here refers to two feminine
nouns, instead of _tutatae sunt_; but it is quite in accordance with
the custom of Sallust. See Zumpt, S 377.
[291] 'What the enemy were doing in every place;' for _ubique_ signifies
'in every place;' not absolutely, but in every one of the places
where anything was done by the enemy. _Ubique_ stands to _ubivis_
in the same relation as _quisque_ to _quivis_. Compare Zumpt, S 710.
[292] 'He had drawn up his corps close together.' About _arte_, see
_Cat._, chap. 59, and p. 110, note 4 [note 261].

53. Romani ex improviso pulveris vim magnam animadvertunt; nam prospectum ager arbustis consitus prohibebat. Et primo rati humum aridam vento agitari, post ubi aequabilem manere et, sicuti acies movebatur, magis magisque appropinquare vident, cognita re properantes arma capiunt ac pro castris, sicuti imperabatur, consistunt. Deinde, ubi propius ventum est, utrimque magno clamore concurritur. Numidae tantummodo remorati, dum in elephantis auxilium putant,[293] postquam eos impeditos ramis arborum atque ita disjectos circumveniri vident, fugam faciunt ac plerique abjectis armis collis aut noctis quae jam aderat auxilio integri abeunt. Elephanti quatuor capti, reliqui omnes numero quadraginta interfecti. At Romani, quamquam itinere atque opere castrorum et proelio fessi lassique[294] erant, tamen, quod Metellus amplius opinione morabatur, instructi intentique obviam procedunt. Nam dolus Numidarum nihil languidi neque remissi patiebatur. Ac primo, obscura nocte, postquam haud procul inter se erant, strepitu, velut hostes adventarent,[295] alteri apud alteros formidinem simul et tumultum facere, et paene imprudentia admissum[296] facinus miserabile, ni utrimque praemissi equites rem exploravissent. Igitur pro metu repente gaudium exortum, milites alius alium laeti appellant, acta edocent atque audiunt, sua quisque fortia facta ad coelum fert. Quippe res humanae ita sese habent: in victoria vel ignavis gloriari licet, adversae res etiam bonos detractant.[297]

[293] 'They held out only so long as they believed that they had an
assistance in their elephants.' When they were disappointed in this
hope, they took to flight; for _fugam facere_ is here the same as
_fugere_, though generally it is equivalent to _fugare_.
[294] 'Tired and worn out.'
[295] The two detachments of the Roman army approaching each other, threw
each other into fear and confusion by the noise of their march, as
they imagined lhat the enemy was approaching. We have retained
_adventarent_, the reading of the early editions; the one now
generally received, _adventare_, must be rendered, 'when they were
not far from one another, they approached in a noisy manner, like
enemies, (and) filled each other mutually with fear.' But here
the verb _adventare_ is offensive, it having already been said that
they were not far from one another; so also is the mere ablative
_strepitu adventare_ and the omission of _et_, for which we cannot
see any reason.
[296] Supply _esset_.
[297] 'Misfortunes lower even good men;' that is, diminish their
reputation.

54. Metellus in iisdem castris quatriduo[298] moratus, saucios cum cura reficit, meritos in proeliis more militiae donat, universos in contione laudat atque agit gratias; hortatur ad cetera, quae levia sunt,[299] parem animum gerant; pro victoria satis jam pugnatum, reliquos labores pro praeda fore. Tamen interim transfugas et alios opportunos, Jugurtha ubi gentium[300] aut quid agitaret, cum paucisne esset, an exercitum haberet, ut sese victus gereret, exploratum misit. At ille sese in loca saltuosa et natura munita receperat, ibique cogebat exercitum numero hominum ampliorem, sed hebetem infirmumque, agri ac pecoris magis quam belli cultorem.[301] Id ea gratia[302] eveniebat, quod praeter regios equites nemo omnium Numidarum ex fuga regem sequitur; quo cujusque animus fert, eo discedunt, neque id flagitium militiae ducitur; ita se mores habent. Igitur Metellus ubi videt etiamtum regis animum ferocem esse, bellum renovari, quod nisi ex illius libidine geri non posset,[303] praeterea iniquum certamen sibi cum hostibus, minore detrimento illos vinci quam suos vincere, statuit non proeliis neque in acie, sed alio more bellum gerundum. Itaque in Numidiae loca opulentissima pergit, agros vastat, multa castella et oppida temere[304] munita aut sine praesidio capit incenditque; puberes interfici jubet, alia omnia militum praedam esse. Ea formidine multi mortales Romanis dediti obsides; frumentum et alia, quae usui forent, affatim praebita, ubicunque res postulabat, praesidium impositum. Quae negotia multo magis quam proelium male pugnatum ab suis, regem terrebant; quippe cui spes omnis in fuga sita erat, sequi cogebatur, et qui sua loca[305] defendere nequiverat, in alienis bellum gerere. Tamen ex copia[306] quod optimum videbatur consilium capit, exercitum plerumque in iisdem locis opperiri jubet, ipse cum delectis equitibus Metellum sequitur, nocturnis et aviis itineribus ignoratus Romanos palantes repente aggreditur. Eorum plerique inermes cadunt, multi capiuntur, nemo omnium intactus profugit, et Numidae, priusquam ex castris subveniretur, sicuti jussi erant, in proximos colles discedunt.

[298] Duration of time is properly expressed by the accusative, but the
ablative also is not unfrequently employed. See Zumpt, S 396.
[299] _Sunt_ here changes the oratio obiiqua into the oratio recta;
according to the grammatical rule, it ought to be _sint_ or _essent_.
[300] _Gentium_ is added to increase the expression of uncertainty. See
Zumpt, S 434.
[301] A bold combination of terms: soldiers who were in the habit of
being more concerned about the cattle and the field than about war.
Respecting the substantive _cultor_, instead of the participle
_colens_, see p. 109, note 5 [note 255].
[302] _Ea gratia_, a concise expression for _ejus (rei) gratia_, 'on this
account.' In like manner we find _hac, ea causa_.
[303] 'Which could not be carried on otherwise than according to his
pleasure;' because, considering the number and condition of his
irregular troops, he had it in his power both to attack and to
retreat, and thus to draw the Romans hither and thither.
[304] _Temere_ signifies that which is done without any lasting effect,
without serious consideration, or what is suggested by mere accident
or chance.
[305] _Sua loca_ are 'convenient' or 'favourable places;' _aliena_,
'inconvenient ;' that is, such as he would not have chosen himself.
[306] 'According to circumstances,' as in chap. 39: _ex copia rerum_,
'according to the state of circumstances.'

55. Interim Romae gaudium ingens ortum cognitis Metelli rebus, ut seque et exercitum more majorum gereret, in adverso loco victor tamen virtute fuisset hostium agro potiretur, Jugurtham magnificum[307] ex Auli socordia spem salutis in solitudine aut fuga coegisset habere. Itaque senatus ob ea felicitur acta dis immortalibus supplicia[308] decernere, civitas trepida antea et sollicita de belli eventu laeta agere, fama de Metello praeclara esse. Igitur eo intentior ad victoriam niti, omnibus modis festinare, cavere tamen, necubi[309] hosti opportunus fieret, meminisse post gloriam invidiam sequi. Ita quo clarior, eo magis anxius erat, neque post insidias Jugurthae[310] effuso exercitu praedari; ubi frumento aut pabulo opus erat, cohortes cum omni equitatu praesidium agitabant; exercitus partem ipse, reliquos Marius ducebat. Sed igni magis quam praeda ager vastabatur. Duobus locis haud longe inter se castra faciebant; ubi vi opus erat, cuncti aderant; ceterum, quo fuga atque formido latius cresceret, diversi agebant. Eo tempore Jugurtha per colles sequi, tempus aut locum pugnae quaerere; qua venturum hostem audierat, pabulum et aquarum fontes, quorum penuria erat, corrumpere; modo se Metello, interdum Mario ostendere, postremo in agmine temptare ac statim in colles regredi, rursus aliis, post aliis minitari, neque proelium facere neque otium pati, tantummodo hostem ab incepto retinere.

[307] _Magnificus_, 'boasting,' 'insolent,' as in chap. 31: _incedunt per
ora, vestra magnifci_.
[308] Such a public thanksgiving ordered by the senate is commonly called
_supplicatio_, and was a sign that the general was likely to be
honoured with a triumph.
[309] _Necubi_ for _ne alicubi_, 'in order that not somewhere.' See
Zumpt, S 136.
[310] _Post insidias Jugurthae_, 'after he had once experienced attacks
made from an ambuscade.'

56. Romanus imperator ubi se dolis fatigari videt neque ab hoste copiam pugnandi fieri, urbem magnam et in ea parte qua sita erat arcem regni, nomine Zamam,[311] statuit oppugnare, ratus id quod negotium poscebat Jugurtham laborantibus suis auxilio venturum ibique proelium fore. At ille, quae parabantur a perfugis edoctus, magnis itineribus Metellum antevenit, oppidanos hortatur, moenia defendant, additis auxilio perfugis, quod genus ex copiis regis, quia fallere nequibat, firmissimum erat. Praeterea pollicetur in tempore[312] semet cum exercitu affore. Ita compositis rebus in loca quam maxime occulta discedit ac post paulo cognoscit Marium ex itinere frumentatum cum paucis cohortibus Siccam missum, quod oppidum primum omnium post malam pugnam ab rege defecerat. Eo cum delectis equitibus noctu pergit et jam egredientibus Romanis in porta pugnam facit; simul magna voce Siccenses hortatur, uti cohortes ab tergo circumveniant; fortunam illis praeclari facinoris casum dare; si id fecerint, postea sese in regno, illos in libertate sine metu aetatem acturos. Ac ni Marius signa inferre atque evadere oppido properavisset, profecto cuncti aut magna pars Siccensium fidem mutavissent; tanta mobilitate sese Numidae agunt. Sed milites Jugurthini paulisper ab rege sustentati, postquam majore vi hostes urguent, paucis amissis profugi discedunt.

[311] _Zama_, a town celebrated for the victory gained, about one hundred
years before, by Scipio over Hannibal. It was situated, according
to Polybius, five days' march south of Carthage.
[312] _In tempore_, 'in due time,' 'in proper time.' Zumpt, S 475, note.

57. Marius ad Zamam pervenit; id oppidum in campo situm, magis opere quam natura munitum erat, nullius idoneae rei egens, armis virisque opulentum. Igitur Metellus pro tempore atque loco paratis rebus cuncta moenia exercitu circumvenit, legatis imperat, ubi quisque curaret. Deinde signo dato undique simul clamor ingens oritur; neque ea res Numidas terret, infensi intentique sine tumultu manent; proelium incipitur. Romani, pro ingenio quisque, pars eminus glande aut lapidibus pugnare; alii succedere ac murum modo suffodere, modo scalis aggredi, cupere proelium in manibus facere.[313] Contra ea oppidani in proximos saxa volvere, sudes, pila, praeterea pice et sulfure taedam mixtam ardenti[314] mittere. Sed ne illos quidem, qui procul manserant, timor animi satis muniverat; nam plerosque jacula tormentis aut manu emissa vulnerabant, parique periculo, sed fama impari, boni atque ignavi erant.

[313] _Proelium facere in manibus_, the same as _pugnare cominus, manus
conserere_, 'to be engaged in close combat.'
[314] 'Torches mixed of burning pitch and sulphur;' that is, burning
torches of pitch and sulphur. The singular _taedam_ is used in a
collective sense for the plural _taedas_.

58. Dum apud Zamam sic certatur, Jugurtha ex improviso castra hostium cum magna manu invadit, remissis, qui in praesidio erant,[315] et omnia magis quam proelium expectantibus, portam irrumpit. At nostri, repentino metu perculsi, sibi quisque pro moribus consulunt; alii fugere, alii arma capere, magna pars vulnerati aut occisi. Ceterum ex omni multitudine non amplius quadraginta memores nominis Romani grege facto locum cepere paulo quam alii editiorem, neque inde maxima vi depelli quiverunt, sed tela eminus missa remittere, pauci in pluribus minus frustrari;[316] sin Numidae propius accessissent, ibi vero[317] virtutem ostendere et eos maxima vi caedere, fundere atque fugare. Interim Metellus quum accerrime rem gereret, clamorem hostilem a tergo accepit, dein converso equo animadvertit fugam ad se versum fieri, quae res indicabat populares esse. Igitur equitatum omnem ad castra propere mittit, ac statim G. Marium cum cohortibus sociorum, eumque lacrimans per amicitiam perque rem publicam obsecrat, ne quam contumeliam remanere in exercitu victore neve hostes inultos abire sinat. Ille brevi mandata efficit. At Jugurtha munimento castrorum impeditus, quum alii super vallum praecipitarentur, alii in angustiis ipsi sibi properantes officerent, multis amissis in loca munita sese recepit. Metellus, infecto negotio, postquam nox aderat, in castra cum exercitu revertitur.

[315] 'Those who had been left behind to protect the camp being remiss'
(careless, unconcerned); a figurative use of _remissus_, taken from a
bow when it is not stretched.
[316] 'As they, being few, less missed in throwing their darts among
the many.' The deponent _frustari_ here has a reflective meaning,
'to exert one's self in vain,' 'to deceive one's self,' and must be
conceived to come from the active _frustrare_, 'to frustrate.'
[317] 'Then, indeed (in truth), they showed,' &c. Respecting _vero_ in
the apodosis, see note on chap. 50.

59. Igitur postero die, prius quam ad oppugnandum egrederetur, equitatum omnem in ea parte, qua regis adventus erat, pro castris agitare jubet, portas et proxima loca tribunis dispertit, deinde ipse pergit ad oppidum atque uti superiore die murum aggreditur. Interim Jugurtha ex occulto repente nostros invadit; qui in proximo locati fuerant, paulisper territi perturbantur, reliqui cito subveniunt. Neque diutius Numidae resistere quivissent, ni pedites cum equitibus permixti magnam cladem in congressu facerent;[318] quibus illi freti, non uti equestri proelio solet, sequi, dein cedere, sed adversis equis concurrere, implicare ac perturbare aciem; ita expeditis peditibus suis hostes paene victos dare.

[318] 'The Numidian horsemen would not have resisted any longer, had not
their infantry mingled with the cavalry caused a great carnage'
(among the Romans). Respecting the imperfect in the protasis, though
the apodosis contains the pluperfect, see Zumpt, S 525. The Numidian
horse, accordingly, here did not follow their usual custom of making
a sudden attack, and then retreating; on the contrary, they fought in
such a manner that their own horses and those of the Romans stood
head to head, and thus gained an almost complete victory, by
procuring a respite for their struggling infantry.

60. Eodem tempore apud Zamam magna vi certabatur. Ubi quisque legatus aut tribunus curabat, eo acerrime niti,[319] neque alius in alio magis quam in sese[320] spem habere: pariterque oppidani agere; oppugnare aut parare omnibus locis, avidius alteri alteros sauciare quam semet tegere, clamor permixtus hortatione, laetitia, gemitu, item strepitus armorum ad coelum ferri, tela utrimque volare. Sed illi, qui moenia defensabant, ubi hostes paulum modo pugnam remiserant, intenti proelium equestre prospectabant, eos, uti quaeque Jugurthae res erant, laetos modo, modo pavidos animadverteres,[321] ac, sicuti audiri a suis aut cerni possent,[322] monere alii, alii hortari aut manu significare aut niti corporibus,[323] et ea huc et illuc quasi vitabundi aut jacientes tela agitare. Quod ubi Mario cognitum est (nam is in ea parte curabat) consulto lenius agere ac diffidentiam rei simulare, pati Numidas sine tumultu[324] regis proelium visere. Ita illis studio suorum astrictis,[325] repente magna vi murum aggreditur, et jam scalis egressi milites prope summa ceperant, quum oppidani concurrunt, lapides, ignem, alia praeterea tela ingerunt. Nostri primo resistere, deinde, ubi unae atque alterae scalae comminutae, qui supersteterant, afflicti sunt, ceteri, quoquo modo potuere, pauci integri, magna pars vulneribus confecti abeunt Denique utrimque proelium nox diremit.

[319] 'There they exerted themselves most actively,' _eo_ having the
meaning of _eo loco_, or _ibi_.
[320] 'More upon themselves than upon others.' See Zumpt, S 725.
[321] 'One might observe them.' Zumpt, S 528, note 2.
[322] _Sicuti--possent_, 'just as if,' as _sicut_, like _quasi_, is used
for _velut_. See chap. 31. For it is not possible that the two places
of the struggle, near the walls of Zama, and on the other side of the
Roman camp, should have been so near that the men could hear one
another, or even distinctly see the separate charges.
[323] _Niti corporibus_, 'to exert one's self bodily,' inasmuch as the
body of the combatants is sometimes moved forward, and sometimes
backward. The plural _corpora_ is as common in Latin as _animi_, when
several persons are spoken of.
[324] _Sine tumultu_, 'without disturbance' or 'hindrance.'
[325] _Astrictus_, 'fixed intent,' whose attention was entirely directed
to the contest at a distance. _Occupatis_ also might have been used.

61. Metellus, postquam videt frustra inceptum neque oppidum capi, neque Jugurtham nisi ex insidiis aut suo loco pugnam facere, et jam aestatem exactam esse, ab Zama discedit et in iis urbibus, quae ad se[326] defecerant, satisque munitae loco aut moenibus erant, praesidia imponit; ceterum exercitum in provinciam, quae proxima est Numidiae, hiemandi gratia collocat. Neque id tempus ex aliorum more quieti aut luxuriae concedit, sed quoniam armis bellum parum procedebat, insidias regi per amicos tendere et eorum perfidia pro armis uti parat. Igitur Bomilcarem, qui Romae cum Jugurtha fuerat et inde vadibus datis clam Massivae de nece judicium fugerat, quod ei per maximam amicitiam maxima copia fallendi erat, multis pollicitationibus aggreditur. Ac primo efficit, uti ad se colloquendi gratia occultus veniat, dein fide data, si Jugurtham vivum aut necatum sibi tradidisset, fore, ut illi senatus impunitatem et sua omnia concederet, facile Numidae persuadet, cum ingenio infido,[327] tum metunti, ne, si pax cum Romanis fieret, ipse per condiciones ad supplicium traderetur.

[326] _Ad eum_, or _ad illum_, would have been strictly grammatical; and
as Sallust uses _ad se_, it would have been more consistent to use
the subjunctive _defecissent_; but the indicative is necessary,
because a fact is to be expressed. All doubts would have been removed
by _ad ipsum_, for this pronoun would turn our attention away from
the secondary subject, _urbes_, and direct it to the leading subject,
Metellus. But the ancient authors do not very often use this pronoun
where _is_ or _sui_, _sibi_, _se_, can be employed. Compare chap. 66,
and Zumpt, S 550.
[327] That is, _Bomilcar ingenio infidus erat et metuebat_.

62. Is, ubi primum opportunum fuit, Jugurtham anxium ac miserantem fortunas suas accedit; monet atque lacrimans obtestatur, uti aliquando sibi liberisque et genti Numidarum optime merenti provideat, omnibus proeliis sese victos, agrum vastatum, multos mortales captos, occisos, regni opes comminutas esse; satis saepe jam et virtutem militum et fortunam temptatam; caveat, ne illo[328] cunctante Numidae sibi consulant. His atque talibus aliis ad deditionem regis animum impellit. Mittuntur ad imperatorem legati, qui Jugurtham imperata facturum dicerent ac sine ulla pactione sese regnumque suum in illius fidem tradere. Metellus propere cunctos senatorii ordinis ex hibernis accersi jubet, eorum atque aliorum, quos idoneos ducebat, consilium habet. Ita more majorum[329] ex consilii decreto per legates Jugurthae imperat argenti pondo[330] ducenta milia, elephantos omnes, equorum et armorum aliquantum. Quae postquam sine mora facta sunt, jubet omnes perfugas vinctos adduci; eorum magna pars, uti jussum erat, adducti, pauci, quum primum deditio coepit, ad regem Bocchum in Mauretaniam abierant. Igitur Jugurtha, ubi armis virisque et pecunia spoliatus est, quum ipse ad imperandum Tisidium vocaretur,[331] rursus coepit flectere animum suum et ex mala conscientia digna[332] timere. Denique multis diebus per dubitationem consumptis quum modo taedio rerum adversarum omnia bello potiora duceret, interdum secum ipse reputaret, quam gravis casus in servitium ex regno foret, multis magnisque praesidiis nequidquam perditis, de integro bellum sumit. Et Romae senatus de provinciis consultus Numidiam Metello decreverat.[333]

[328] _Ne illo_, &.c. refers to Jugurtha, 'if he hesitated still longer.'
[329] _More majorum_ refers to the custom according to which Roman
generals were not allowed to fix the terms of treaties and peace
according to their own discretion, but had to assemble and consult a
council of war. This council of war consisted of the superior
officers, the legates, the quaestor, the tribuni militum, and the
praefects of the allies. Sometimes the centuriones primipilares also
took part in it, especially when the subjects of discussion were of a
purely military nature.
[330] _Pondo_, 'pound,' properly _librarum pondo_ (depending upon
_milia_). See Zumpt, S 87. As in the time of the Roman republic
eighty-four denarii were coined out of one pound of silver, and
twenty-five denarii (or 100 sesterces) constituted one Roman aureus,
the amount of silver here mentioned is equivalent to 672,000 nummi
aurei.
[331] 'When he himself was summoned to receive his orders.' There
is an ancient military expression, _Ad imperium vocari_, or _adesse_,
by which a person present receives a command which he has to carry
into effect. See Zumpt, S 658.
[332] _Digna_, 'what is due to him;' here of course bodily suffering or
punishment.
[333] We are here already at the beginning of the year B.C. 108, in
which Metellus was no longer consul; but the senate had prolonged
his imperium, which accordingly he continued to hold for this year
as proconsul.

63. Per idem tempus Uticae forte G. Mario per hostias dis supplicanti, magna atque mirabilia portendi haruspex dixerat; proinde, quae animo agitabat,[334] fretus dis ageret, fortunam quam saepissime experiretur, cuncta prospere eventura. At illum jam antea consulatus ingens cupido exagitabat, ad quem capiundum praeter vetustatem familiae alia omnia abunde erant,[335] industria, probitas militiae magna scientia, animus belli[336] ingens, domi modicus, libidinis et divitiarum victor, tantummodo gloriae avidus. Sed is natus et omnem pueritiam Arpini altus,[337] ubi primum aetas militiae patiens fuit, stipendiis faciundis, non Graeca facundia neque urbanis munditiis sese exercuit; ita inter artes bonas integrum ingenium brevi adolevit. Ergo ubi primum tribunatum militarem a populo petit, plerisque faciem ejus ignorantibus,[338] facile notus per omnes tribus declaratur. Deinde ab eo magistratu alium post alium sibi peperit, semperque in potestatibus eo modo agitabat, ut ampliore quam gerebat dignus haberetur. Tamea is ad id locorum[339] talis vir (nam postea ambitione praeceps datus est) consulatum appetere non audebat. Etiamtum alios magistratus plebes, consulatum nobilitas inter se per manus tradebat.[340] Novus nemo tam clarus neque tam egregiis factis erat, quin is indignus illo honore et quasi pollutus haberetur.

[334] _Agitabat_ does not express the sentiment of the haruspex; for if
so, the verb would be in the subjunctive.
[335] Marius accordingly possessed every qualification required of a
candidate for the consulship in a very high degree, but he was not
a member of an ancient family, being a Roman eques of the municipium
of Arpinum. The term 'ancient family' means one which had _imagines_,
or images of ancestors who had been invested with the highest offices
of the state. A Roman eques answers pretty nearly to a modern country
gentleman, and was, generally speaking, a person who had property
enough to enable him to serve on horseback in the army. In point of
rank he was far below a senator; and no services that he could render
to the state as an eques could raise him to the senatorial rank,
which was attainable only through the high offices to which he might
be elected by the people, and by virtue of which he became a member
of the senate. Marius himself had been a senator long before this, as
he had been tribune of the people and praetor, and after his
praetorship, he now was legatus (lieutenant-general) with Metellus.
[336] _Belli_; that is, _in bello_, on account of the following _domi_.
[337] _Altus_; that is, _alitus_. See Zumpt, S 198.
[338] That is, _quamquam plerique faciem ejus ignorabant, facile tamen
notus factus_, &c.; namely, by the report of his distinguished
services in the war, which, in the assembly of the people, was
communicated by one person to another.
[339] _Ad id locorum_, 'until then,' 'until that time,' as in chap. 72:
_post id locorum_. See Zumpt, S 434. Marius did not venture to aspire
to the consulship; for _appetere_ is not the same as _petere_, the
latter denoting the actual suit or canvass. His ambition had not
yet been directed to that highest of all offices, until religious
superstition suggested it to him, and encouraged him.
[340] The _nobiles_ transmitted the consulship to one another _per
manus_; that is, after one _nobilis_ had been invested with it, it
was, as it were by agreement, given to another, care being taken that
no _homo novus_ should come forward as a candidate.

64. Igitur ubi Marius haruspicis dicta eodem intendere videt, quo cupido animi hortabatur, ab Metello petundi gratia missionem[341] rogat. Cui quamquam virtus, gloria atque alia optanda bonis superabant,[342] tamen inerat contemptor animus et superbia, commune nobilitatis malum. Itaque primum commotus insolita re mirari ejus consilium et quasi per amicitiam monere, ne tam prava inciperet neu super fortunam animum gereret; non omnia omnibus cupiunda esse; debere illi res suas satis placere; postremo caveret id petere a populo Romano, quod illi jure negaretur. Postquam haec atque alia talia dixit neque animus Marii flectitur, respondit, ubi primum potuisset per negotia publica,[343] facturum sese, quae peteret. Ac postea saepius eadem postulanti fertur dixisse, ne festinaret abire; satis mature illum cum filio suo consulatum petiturum. Is eo tempore contubernio patris[344] ibidem militabat, annos natus circiter viginti; quae res Marium cum pro[345] honore, quem affectabat, tum contra Metellum vehementer accenderat. Ita cupidine atque ira, pessimis consultoribus, grassari,[346] neque facto ullo neque dicto abstinere, quod modo ambitiosum[347] foret, milites, quibus in hibernis praeerat, laxiore imperio quam antea habere, apud negotiatores, quorum magna multitudo Uticae erat, criminose, simul et magnifice de bello loqui, dimidia pars exercitus si sibi permitteretur, paucis diebus Jugurtham in catenis habiturum; ab imperatore consulto trahi, quod homo inanis[348] et regiae superbiae imperio nimis gauderet. Quae omnia illis eo firmiora videbantur, quod diuturnitate belli res familiares corruperant et animo cupienti nihil satis festinatur.

[341] His dismissal from the post of legate. If he had wished to return
to the service, he would have asked _commeatum_, 'leave of absence.'
He was confident that in his canvass for the consulship he would be
successful.
[342] _Superabant_; that is, _supererant, abunde erant_.
Metellus had all the other qualifications in a great degree, but at
the same time he had a haughty contempt for all who were not nobly
born.
[343] 'He would grant him his dismissal as soon as he could do so
consistently with the duties he owed to the republic.'
[344] _Contubernio patris_ for _in contubernio patris_, as
_contubernalis_ of the commander-in-chief. It was the custom for
young Roman nobles to perform their first military service as equites
in the suite, and as attaches (adjutants) to a general, whereas other
less favoured Romans served _in ordine_; that is, enlisted in some
detachment of cavalry or infantry.
[345] _Pro_, 'in regard to,' 'in consideration of.'
[346] _Grassari_, 'to go on,' 'proceed;' but at the same time contains
the idea of excitement or vehemence.
[347] _Ambitio_, 'courting favour;' _ambitiosum_, something the object
or consequence of which is to gain favour; hence 'winning,'
'captivating.'
[348] _Inanis_, 'empty.' Of persons, signifies a man devoid of substance,
one who has only the appearance of something, and is satisfied with
it; hence 'vain,' 'superficial.' _Vanus_ also is used in the same
sense. _Regia superbia_. See chap. 31.

65. Erat praeterea in exercitu nostro Numida quidam, nomine Gauda, Mastanabalis filius, Masinissae nepos, quem Micipsa testamento secundum heredem[349] scripserat, morbis confectus et ob eam causam mente paulum imminuta. Cui Metellus petenti more regum ut sellam juxta poneret, item postea custodiae causa turmam equitum Romanorum, utrumque negaverat, honorem, quod eorum modo foret, quos populus Romanus reges appellavisset, praesidium, quod contumeliosum in eos[350] foret, si equites Romani satellites Numidae traderentur. Hunc Marius anxium aggreditur atque hortatur, ut contumeliarum imperatori[351] cum suo auxilio poenas petat; hominem ob morbos animo parum valido secunda oratione extollit: illum regem, ingentem virum, Masinissae nepotem esse; si Jugurtha captus aut occisus foret, imperium Numidiae sine mora habiturum; id adeo[352] mature posse evenire, si ipse consul ad id bellum missus foret. Itaque et illum et equites Romanes, milites et negotiatores[353] alios ipse, plerosque pacis spes impellit, uti Romam ad suos necessarios aspere in Metellum de bello scribant, Marium imperatorem poscant. Sic illi a multis mortalibus honestissima suffragatione[354] consulatus petebatur; simul ea tempestate plebes, nobilitate fusa per legem Mamiliam,[355] novos extollebat. Ita Mario cuncta procedere.

[349] _Secundus heres_ is the person who is pointed out in a will to
supply the place of the real heir, in case of the latter being unable
or unwilling to accept the inheritance, especially in case of his
death without leaving any issue.
[350] _In eos_; that is, _in equites Romanos_, referring to what follows.
[351] _Imperatori_, a dativus incommodi, _cui poena imponantur_, 'that
with his assistance he should endeavour to find punishments for the
general in return for the insults offered to him.'
[352] 'This might happen even very soon.' _Adeo_ points out that which is
essential in a thing. See Zumpt, S 281.
[353] The words _milites et negotiatiores_ are in apposition to _equites
Romanos_, and describe the two classes of Roman equites existing in
the province, some serving in the army, and others carrying on
business (_negotiabantur_) in the towns. If the sentence were to be
understood otherwise, the copulative conjunction would not have been
omitted before _milites_. See Zumpt, S 783. The _milites gregarii_
and their sentiments are not mentioned, probably because such persons
had little or no communication with their friends at Rome.
[354] _Suffragatio_, the inclination to give one's vote in favour of a
person, and the effort to procure him the votes of others; hence 'the
support given to a person's election.' A vote is _suffragium_, and
_suffragari_, to vote for a person.
[355] This decree of the people, instituting a criminal investigation
into the acts of bribery committed by Jugurtha, was mentioned in
chap. 40, where it was farther observed that the whole nobility was
terrified by it.

66. Interim Jugurtha postquam omissa deditione bellum incipit, cum magna cura parare omnia, festinare, cogere exercitum, civitates, quae ab se defecerant, formidine aut ostentando praemia affectare,[356] communire suos locos, arma, tela, aliaque, quae spe pacis amiserat, reficere aut commercari, servitia Romanorum allicere et eos ipsos, qui in praesidiis erant, pecunia temptare; prorsus nihil intactum neque quietum pati, cunta agitare. Igitur Vagenses, quo Metellus initio, Jugurtha pacificante, praesidium imposuerat, fatigati regis suppliciis neque antea voluntate alienati,[357] principes civitatis inter se conjurant; nam vulgus, uti plerumque solet, et maxime Numidarum, ingenio mobili, seditiosum atque discordiosum[358] erat, cupidum novarum rerum, quieti et otio adversum. Dein, compositis inter se rebus, in diem tertium constituunt, quod is festus celebratusque per omnem Africam ludum et lasciviam magis quam formidinem ostentabat.[359] Sed ubi tempus fuit, centuriones tribunosque militares et ipsum praefectum oppidi, T. Turpilium Silanum, alius alium domos suas invitant; eos omnes praeter Turpilium inter epulas obtruncant; postea milites palantes, inermos, quippe in tali die[360] ac sine imperio, aggrediuntur. Idem plebes facit, pars edocti ab nobilitate, alii studio talium rerum incitati, quis acta consiliumque ignorantibus tumultus ipse et res novae satis placebant.

[356] _Affectare_, 'to try to obtain a thing,' 'to exert one's self for a
thing.'
[357] _Voluntate alienati_; that is, _sua sponte alienati_.
[358] _Discordiosus_, 'quarrelsome;' a very rare word, but formed with
perfect correctness. Zumpt, S 252.
[359] 'The day promised (beforehand) recreation and enjoyment, rather
than apprehension and terror;' namely, to the Romans or the Roman
garrison.
[360] _In tali die_. The preposition here is unusual, but is justified by
the addition _tali_, indicating the particular circumstances of that
day of joy. See Zumpt, S 475, note. _Inermos_ is much more rare than
_inermes_. See Zumpt, S 101, note.

67. Romani milites, improviso metu incerti ignarique, quid potissimum facerent, trepidare; ad arcem oppidi, ubi signa et scuta erant, praesidium hostium; portae ante clausae fugam prohibebant; ad hoc mulieres puerique pro tectis aedificiorum[361] saxa et alia, quae locus praebebat, certatim mittere. Ita neque caveri anceps malum,[362] neque a fortissimis infirmissimo generi resisti posse; juxta boni malique, strenui et imbelles inulti obtruncari. In ea tanta asperitate, saevissimis Numidis et oppido undique clauso, Turpilius praefectus unus ex omnibus Italicis intactus profugit; id misericordiane hospitis, an pactione aut casu ita evenerit, parum comperimus; nisi, quia illi in tanto malo turpis vita integra fama potior fuit, improbus intestabilisque videtur.[363]

[361] _Pro tectis_, 'on the edge of the roofs.'
[362] _Anceps malum_, 'the double attack;' namely, the one made on even
ground, and that from the roofs.
[363] Respecting the connection of _nisi_--_videtur_, instead of the
complete expression _nisi hoc constat_--_eum videri_, see p. 92,
note 2 [note 153]. _Intestabilis_, properly, 'a person unfit to give
his evidence, and incapable of making a will;' hence, according to
Roman usage, equivalent to 'infamous;' _detestabilis_, which also
properly signifies 'one deserving to be excluded in the will,' or 'to
be disinherited.'

68. Metellus, postquam de rebus Vagae actis comperit, paulisper moestus e conspectu abit; deinde, ubi ira et aegritudo permixta sunt, cum maxima cura ultum ire injurias festinat. Legionem, cum qua hiemabat, et quam plurimos potest Numidas equites pariter cum occasu solis expeditos educit, et postera die circiter horam tertiam pervenit in quandam planitiem, locis paulo superioribus circumventam. Ibi milites fessos itineris magnitudine et jam abnuentes omnia[364] docet oppidum Vagam non amplius mille passuum[365] abesse, decere illos reliquum laborem aequo animo pati, dum pro civibus suis, viris fortissimis atque miserrimis, poenas caperent; praeterea praedam benigne ostentat. Sic animis eorum arrectis, equites in primo[366] late, pedites quam artissime ire et signa occultare jubet.

[364] 'Declining everything;' that is, refusing to obey any order that was given them. [365] _Passuum_ might also be _passus_. See Zumpt, S 116, note. [366] _In primo_, 'at the head,' or 'in front,' the line being spread out (_late_), so as to conceal the infantry marching behind the cavalry.

69. Vagenses ubi animum advertere ad se versum exercitum pergere, primo, uti erat res, Metellum esse rati, portas clausere, deinde ubi neque agros vastari et eos, qui primi aderant, Numidas equites vident, rursum Jugurtham arbitrati cum magno gaudio obvii procedunt. Equites peditesque repente signo dato alii vulgum effusum oppido caedere, alii ad portas festinare, pars turres capere; ira atque praedae spes amplius quam lassitudo posse. Ita Vagenses biduum modo ex perfidia laetati; civitas magna et opulens cuncta poenae aut praedae fuit.[367] Turpilius, quem praefectum oppidi unum ex omnibus profugisse supra ostendimus, jussus a Metello causam dicere,[368] postquam sese parum expurgat, condemnatus verberatusque capite poenas solvit; nam is civis ex Latio erat.

[367] 'The whole town was given up to punishment or booty.' We cannot say
_urbs poenae fuit_ alone; but the dative _poenae_ is explained
by the common expression _praedae fuit_, with which it is connected.
[368] 'Ordered to defend himself' against the charge of treachery
which was brought against him. For a _reus_ (a person standing
accused of a crime) _causam dicit_; that is, conducts his case, or
defends himself. Turpilius was condemned by the war council, and paid
the forfeit with his life, after having previously been scourged.
This ancient severity, according to which the condemned was bound
to a post, and scourged with rods on his naked body, had been
abolished by a lex Porcia for Roman citizens. See page 52, note 5.
[note 260 in Cat.] For this reason Sallust adds the remark, that
Turpilius was a citizen from Latium; that is, he did not possess the
full Roman franchise, but only that part of it which was not
incompatible with his retaining the franchise in some Latin town.
Such half-citizens or Latins, to whom the Roman franchise was given
in this manner, that thereby they acquired the right to settle in the
territory of Rome, and become members of a Roman tribe, provided they
renounced their Latin franchise, were at that time still very
numerous; but they ceased to exist in B.C. 91, when what were called
the Latin towns received the Roman franchise.

70. Per idem tempus Bomilcar, cujus impulsu Jugurtha deditionem, quam metu deseruit, inceperat, suspectus regi et ipse eum suspiciens, novas res cupere, ad perniciem ejus dolum quaerere, diu noctuque fatigare animum;[369] denique omnia temptando, socium sibi adjungit Nabdalsam, hominem nobilem, magnis opibus, carum acceptumque popularibus suis, qui plerumque seorsum ab rege exercitum ductare et omnes res exequi solitus erat, quae Jugurthae fesso aut majoribus astricto superaverant;[370] ex quo illi gloria opesque inventae. Igitur utriusque consilio dies insidiis statuitur; cetera, uti res posceret, ex tempore parari placuit; Nabdalsa ad exercitum profectus, quem inter hiberna Romanorum jussus habebat, ne ager inultis hostibus vastaretur.[371] Is postquam magnitudine facinoris perculsus ad tempus non venit metusque rem impediebat,[372] Bomilcar simul cupidus incepta patrandi et timore socii anxius, ne omisso vetere consilio novum quaereret,[373] litteras ad eum per homines fideles mittit, in quis mollitiem socordiamque viri accusare,[374] testari deos, per quos juravisset, monere ne praemia Metelli in pestem converteret; Jugurthae exitium adesse; ceterum suane an virtute Metelli periret, id modo agitari;[375] proinde reputaret cum animo suo, praemia an cruciatum mallet.

[369] 'He tormented himself day and night with the thought.' Respecting
this paraphrase of one's own person by the word _animus_, see Zumpt,
S 678.
[370] _Quae Jugurthae_--_superaverant_, 'which had been left for
Jugurtha;' that is, which he himself had not been able to accomplish.
[371] 'That the open country might not be laid waste by the enemy
in such a manner as to leave the enemy unpunished' (_inultis_).
[372] _Metusque_--_impediebat_. The imperfect describes the lasting
condition of the matter, while the perfect, _venit_, expresses the
momentary act, and the clause _metus impediebat_ represents an
inserted clause denoting cause: _metus enim rem impediebat_.
[373] Bomilcar was seized with fear in consequence of the timidity shown
by Nabdalsa.
[374] _In quis_--_accusare_. The historical infinitive in a relative
clause is very rare, but _in quis_ here supplies the place of _et in
his_.
[375] 'The question only was, whether Jugurtha should perish by their
(that is, Bomilcar and Nabdalsa's) valour, or by that of Metellus,'
since his doom was fixed at all events. _Id agitari_ for _id agi_,
which in this sense is far more frequent.