The workes of Caius Crispus Salustius contayning the Conspiracie of Cateline The Warre of Iugurth. V. bookes of historicall fragments. II orations to Cæsar for the institution of a co[m]monwealth and one against Cicero.

CHAP. 11.

Albinus goes to Rome, lea∣uing his brother Aulus to command the Army. He is beaten by Iugurth, and makes a dishonorable peace with him.

BVt when as time pas∣sing away, the dayes appointed for the election of Magistrates did ap∣proach, Albinus leauing his brother Aulus Proprae∣tour in the Campe, de∣parted to Rome. At that time the Common-wealth was grieuously troubled with the Tribunitiall tu∣mults of the Citty; P. Lucullus, and L. Annius

Tribunes of the people, their Colleagues opposing them, laboured to cōtinue in their Office: which dis∣sension hindred the Co∣mitiall meetings for all that yeere.

Through this delay Au∣lus growing full of hope, (whō we haue said to haue bin left Propraetour in the Camp) either to finish the warre, or to procure money by the terrour of his Army, calls forth his Souldiers in the month of Ianuary out of their Winter Garrisons: and with great marches, the season being cold, he ar∣riues at the Towne of Su∣thul, where the Kings treasures were. Which

Peece, although through the vnseasonablenesse of the time, and the aduan∣tage of situation, it could neither be surprised nor besieged (for round about the wall seated in the steepe extremity of a mountaine, a slimy plaine with winter waters had caused a marish) yet ei∣ther that by his fained pre∣tence, he might terrifie the King, or being blin∣ded with the desire of gai∣ning the towne for the treasures sake, he raiseth Vine-workes, casteth vp a Trench, and hasteneth al prouisions, which might be vsefull for this enter∣prise.

But Iugurth hauing per∣ceiued

the vanity and vn∣skilfulnesse of the Proprae∣tour, out of cunning hee confirmeth his folly: he sends Ambassadours in suppliant mannner: he himselfe, as though hee shunned him, through fo∣rests and by-wayes leades his Army: Finally, he in∣gaged Aulus, through the hope of agreement, that Suthul being disas∣sieged, he pursued him, as one that fled into vn∣knowne Regions: thus his errours were the more cō∣cealed. In the meane time by crafty emissaries, day and nigbt he assayes the Army, some of the Cen∣turions and Captaines of Horse-troups he subornes,

to flie ouer vnto him; o∣thers, that vpon a signall giuen, they should quitte their stations.

Which things being ordered according to his mind, late in the night at vnawares, he enuiro∣neth Aulus Camp, with a multitude of Numidians. The Romane Souldiers being terrified with the vnusuall tumult, some of them tooke Armes: some of them hid themselues: others confirmed the fear∣full•• others feared: the Aire was obscured with night and cloudes: the danger was doubtfull: fi∣nally, whether to flie, or stay, it were more safe, it was vncertaine.

But of that number, (which we haue mentio∣ned a little before, to haue beene corrupted) one Co∣hort of Ligurians, with two Troupes of Thracian Horse-men, and some few common Souldiers reuolted vnto the King: and the eldest Centurion of the Piles of the third Legion, through that worke, which he had vn∣dertooke to defend, gaue meanes of entrance vnto the enemy: through which all the Numidians made an irruption. Our men with a dishonourable flight, most of them ha∣uing cast away their Armes, seazed on the next hillocke. Night, and the

spoile of the Camp, arre∣sted the Enemies from making, further vse of the victory.

Then Iugurth the next day vpon an emparlance deliuered these words to Aulus: That although hee held him together with his Army, inclosed with sword and famine, yet that being mindfull of humane chances; if hee would make a League with him, hee would dis∣misse them all in safety, passing vnder the yoake: withall that within tenne dayes hee should depart out of Numidia.

Which conditions al∣though they were grie∣••ous, and full of disho∣nour;

yet for that they wauered through the feare of death, peace was concluded according to the Kings pleasure. But as soone as these ••idings were knowne at Rome, feare and griefe inuaded the Citty: some greeued for the glory of the Em∣pire: others vnacquain∣ted with warlicke euents, feared their liberty: with Aulus all men were offen∣ded: especially those, who had beene often honou∣red in warre; because that being armed, he procured his safety, rather by dis∣grace, then by fighting manfully.

For these considera∣tions, the Confull Albi∣nus,

mistrusting hatred and danger, in regard of his brothers fault, de∣mands, counsell of the Senate concerning the League: and yet in the meane while he inrolles Supplyes for the Army: he sends for A••des from the Confederates and La∣tine Nation: briefely hee forwards his affaires by all meanes possible.

The Senate decreed thus, as it was fit they should, that without their and the peoples order, no League could be establi∣shed. The Con••ull being hindred by the Tribunes of the people, from trans∣porting the forces, which hee had raised; within

some few dayes passeth in∣to Africke. For all the Ar∣my, as it was agreed vpon, being drawne out of Nu∣midia, wintred in the Prouince.