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. 8.

Calpurnius is sent with an Army into Affricke. He is corrupted by Iugurth.

IN the meane time Cal∣purnius, an Army being leuyed, substitutes vnder himselfe some Noble men, giuen to faction, by whose authority he hopes to for∣tifie his owne faultes: a∣mongst whom was Scau∣rus, of whose nature and condition wee haue for∣merly spoken. For in this our Consull, there were many good indowmēts of body and mind, all which Auarice choaked. He was patient of labour, of a

sharpe wit, prouident enough, no ill Souldier, most firme against dan∣gers and deceits.

But the Legions pas∣sing thro••gh Italy to Rhe∣gium, and from thence into Sicily, were finally transported from Sicily into Africke. Thereupon Calpurnius, hauing first made prouision of victu∣als, inuaded Numidia fiercely: many men, and some Cities hee tooke there by plaine force. But as soone as Iugurth by his Ambassadours, began to tempt him with bribes, and to remonstrate the dif∣ficulty of the warre, which he now waged, his weake mind was soone corrup∣ted

through Auarice.

Besides Scaurus is enter∣tained for a Partner, and Administratour of all his counsels: who al∣though from the very be∣ginning he had eagerly opposed the King, when most of the faction were wrought to his hand; yet by a mighty masse of mo∣ney he was withdrawne from being good and ho∣nest, to be as bad as the worst. But Iugurth onely at first purchased a cessa∣tion from armes thinking that in the intercourse thereof, he should com∣passe something at Rome either by bribes or fauour: after when he heard that Scaurus was made a party

in his cause, he hauing great hopes of procuring peace, resolued to me∣diate with them perso∣nally for a finall a∣greement. But in this meane time Sextus the Treasurer was sent by the Consull for an hostage in∣to Vacca, a towne of Iu∣gurths: the colour of this mission was the receite of corne that Calpurnius had publikely imposed on the Ambassadours; because through the delay of their surrender the truce was prolonged.

Thereupon the King ac∣cording to appointment, comes into the Camp: and hauing deliuered some few words, the

Counsell being present, concerning the hatred of his fact, and withall, that he might be receiued to mercy: the rest he com∣municates with Bestia and Scaurus in secret, then the rest of their opinions being demanded by a promis∣cuous voting, he is recei∣ued vpon termes of com∣position. But as it was or∣dered before the Coun∣sell, thirty Elephants, much Cattell and Horses, with no small summes of money are deliuered to the Treasurer. Calpurnius goes to Rome for the ele∣ction of Magistrates: in Numidia, and our Army peace was obser∣ued.

When some had diuul∣ged the passage and the manner of these African affaires: at Rome in all places, and all assemblies, the Consuls demeanour was much spoken of: the Commons were deepely incensed: the Fathers were much troubled: whether they should approue a crime of such a high condi∣tion, or nullifie the Cōsuls Decree. And chiefly the power of Scaurus, because he was reported to be au∣thour of this to Bestia and his confederate, hindred them from courses of equity and conueniency.

But Caius Memnius, (of the freedome of whose na∣ture, and hatred of the

Nobilities greatnesse, we haue formerly spoken) betweene the doubts and delayes of the Senate, ex∣horteth the people in his Orations to reuenge: he doth admonish them, that they should not for∣sake the Common-wealth, nor their owne liberty: he represents many insolent and cruell outrages of the Nobility: being wholly bent to exasperate the mindes of the Commons. But because Memnius elo∣quence in those times was much spoken of, and re∣nowned at Rome, I thought it expedient, to render in writing one of his Orations amongst so many: and especially, I

will relate that, which he vttered in the assembly af∣ter Bestiaes returne, in these or the like words.