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.
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Title
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.
Author
Sallust, 86-34 B.C.
Publication
[London :: Printed by Elizabeth Allde,] Are to be sould at the Eagle and Child in Brittaines Burse by Tho: Walkley,
1629.
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"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." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A11365.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 12, 2025.
Pages
descriptionPage 209
The Proeme or Introduction.
FAlsely man∣kinde
com∣plaines
of his
nature, that
being feeble,
and of short continuance,
it is ruled more by for∣tune
then vertue. For by a
contrary estimation, you
can find nothing more
great nor excellent; and
rather to nature, humane
industry is wanting, then
time or abilitie. But
the guide and ruler of
mans life is the minde:
which when it pursues
glory by the way of ver∣tue,
it becommes abun∣dantly
able, powerfull
descriptionPage 210
and illustrious. Neither
stāds it in need of fortune:
for because honesty, in∣dustry,
and other good
Arts, she can neither giue
nor take from any man.
But if seduced with euill
desires, it inclines lewdly
to slouth, and bodily
pleasures, vsing perni∣cious
lust for a season;
when through idlenesse,
strong the time and wit are
decayed, in vaine is na∣tures
infirmity accused.
All Authours impute their
faults to the occasions.
But if men had as much
regard of goodnesse, as
with earnestnesse they
pursue things impertinent,
profitlesse, yea exceeding
dangerous, neither should
descriptionPage 211
they be more gouerned,
then gouerne chaunces:
and should proceed to
that pitch of greatnesse,
whereas for mortals they
should be eternized with
glory.
For as mankind is com∣posed
of body and soule,
so all our actions and in∣deauours
follow some the
disposition of the body,
some of the soule. There∣fore
a faire face, great ri∣ches,
corporall strength,
and all other things of this
kind, fade away in a short
time, but the glorious
monuments of wit, like as
the soule, are immortall:
Finally, for the indow∣ments
of the body, and
fortune, as there is a be∣ginning,
descriptionPage 212
so there is an
end: and all of them being
borne, dye, and increased,
waxe old. The mind is vn∣corrupted,
eternall, the
gouernour of mankind, it
doeth and possesseth all
things, neither is it selfe
possessed.
By how much the more
their wickednesse is to be
wondred at, who being
addicted to carnall de∣lights,
waste their time in
slouth and riot; but the
wit, then which there is
nothing better, nor grea∣ter
in humane nature, they
suffer to rust, through
idlenesse and want of ma∣nuring;
when especially
there are so many and so
different Arts of the
descriptionPage 213
minde, by which the
chiefest renowne is pro∣cured.
But amongst these, Ma∣gistracies,
commands, and
all care of publicke im∣ployments
seeme not fit
to be desired of me at this
present: for that neither
honour is giuen to vertue,
nor they, who by falshood
haue got any power, were
thereby the more secured
or honested: For by vio∣lence
to rule your Countrie,
and parents, although you can,
and may reforme abuses; yet
is it vnseasonable: when espe∣cially
all alterations doe for∣boade
murder, flight, and o∣ther
hostilities. But to la∣bour
in vaine, and to pur∣chase
nothing else but ha∣tred
descriptionPage 214
for our paines, is a
part of extreme follie;
vnlesse perchance in such
a man, whom a dishonest
and hurtfull desire doth
inforce to prostitute his
honour and freedome vn∣to
the power of some
few.
Now, amongst other
imployments exercised by
the wit, the memory of
things done, serues for
most speciall vse; of whose
worth, because many men
haue treated, I resolue to
passe it ouer; withall, lest
any man might thinke me
to commend my owne
study. And I doe beleeue
there will be some, who,
for that I haue decreed, to
spend my remaining
descriptionPage 215
yeeres far from the Com∣mon-wealth,
will impose
the name of idlenesse on
this my so great and pro∣fitable
worke: such verily,
to whom it seemes a
chiefe point of industry to
salute the common peo∣ple,
and by feasting to
procure fauour: who if
they did but throughly
consider, in what times I
obtained the Magistracy,
and what men could not
attaine it then: and after,
what persons came to be
Senators; truely they
would coniecture, that ra∣ther
deseruedly then out
of slouth, I had altred my
determination: and that
more profit would re∣dound
to the Common-wealth
descriptionPage 216
wealth out of my retire∣ments,
then other mens
imployments.
For I haue often heard
Qu. Maximus, P. Scipio,
with many other famous
men of this Citty, vsually
say, when they beheld the
statues of their Ance∣stours,
that their minds
were most vehemently in∣flamed
to vertue. Certain∣ly,
not that waxe nor fi∣gure
had such efficacy in
it: but through the me∣mory
of things former∣ly
done, this flame was
kindled in these braue
mens brests, neither
could it be first allayed be∣fore
their owne worthi∣nesse
had equallized the
others renowne & glory.
descriptionPage 217
But contrariwise who
amongst you all is of this
condition, but would ra∣ther
contend with his An∣cestours
in wealth and ex∣pence,
then in goodnesse,
or industry? yea, vpstarts,
who by vertue were wont
to vsher home nobility,
by stealth, nay, plaine rob∣bery
rather, aduance
themselues to commands
and honours: as though,
the Praetourship, Consul∣ship,
and other like dig∣nities
were in them∣selues
worthy and ma∣gnificent;
and were not
esteemed according to
their vertue which man∣nage
them. But I haue
ranged too freely and
too farre, whilst the
descriptionPage 218
manners of the Citty
greeue and irke me.
Now I returne to
the matter in
hand.
descriptionPage 219
CHAP. 1.
Micipsa sends his nephew
Massinissa to Numantia:
he behaues himselfe wor∣thily
in that seruice. He is
accepted and made coheire
with his sons. Micipsa
dieth.
I Am writing the warre,
which with Iugurth
King of the Numidians,
the Romane people wa∣ged:
first, because it
was great and cruell, and
doubtfull for the victory.
Secondly, because then
the pride of the Nobility
was first opposed: which
contention confounded
all diuine and humane re∣spects:
descriptionPage 220
and proceeded to
that height of madnesse,
that to these ciuill broiles,
warre, and the wasting of
Italy must set a period.
But before I begin to
treate of this subiect, let
me repeate some fewe
things more ancient, that
so to your knowledge, all
the sequele may appeare
more plaine and manifest.
In the second Punicke
warre, in which Hannibal
the Carthaginian Cap∣taine,
had after the great∣nesse
of the Romane name,
much wasted the wealth
of Italy; Massinissa King
of the Numidians, being
receiued into friendship
by P. Scipio, (whose sur∣name
from his vertue, was
descriptionPage 221
afterwards the African,)
atchieued many glorious
exploits of warre: in re∣gard
whereof, the Car∣thaginians
being vanqui∣shed,
and Siphax taken,
(whose Empire was great
in Africke, and of large
extent) the people of
Rome gaue for a dona∣tiue
to the King, whatso∣euer
Citties, and territo∣ries
they had got in this
conquest: for which cause
Massinissaes friend-ship re∣mained
firme and faithfull
vnto vs. But his life and
Empire ended together.
After him his son Mici∣psa
obtained the King∣dome
alone, Mastanabal,
and Gulussa his brethren
being dead of sickenesse.
descriptionPage 222
He begot Adherbal and
Hiempsal, and brought vp
Iugurth the sonne of his
brother Mastanabal, (whom
because borne of a Con∣cubine,
Massinissa had left
priuate) with the same
education that he did his
owne children. who as∣soone
as hee came to ripe
yeeres, excelling with
strength, and comelinesse
of countenance, but most
of all with an able wit, he
gaue not himselfe ouer to
the corruptions of luxurie
and slouth; but (as the cu∣stome
of that Nation is)
to riding, darting, and
in race matches to con∣tend
with his equals; and
though hee out-went all
men in glory, yet was hee
descriptionPage 223
deare to them all: Besides
he spent most of his time
in hunting: he would as∣saile
the Lion, and other
wild beasts, first, or with
the first: he did the most,
and spake least of him∣selfe.
For which causes, al∣though
Micipsa reioyced
at the beginning, as dee∣ming
that Iugurths vertue
would be an honour to
his Kingdome: yet when
he considered, that this
young man, (he himselfe
being old, and his chil∣dren
little,) improued
himselfe more and more;
being much moued with
the occasion, hee pon∣dered
many things in his
mind. The nature of men
descriptionPage 224
being couetous of com∣mand,
and prone to ful∣fill
their owne desires; be∣sides,
the opportunity of
his owne and his chil∣drens
age, (which also for
hope of gaine, alters the
course of temperate men)
afforded him matter of
terrour; as likewise did
the Numidians affections
wholy bent vpon Iugurth;
from whom he was doubt∣full,
that some sedition or
warre would proceed, if
he should treacherously
kill so worthy a person.
Being inuironed with
these difficulties, when he
saw that neither by force
nor fraude, he could op∣presse
a man so popularly
beloued, he resolues, for
descriptionPage 225
that Iugurth was valiant of
hand, and desirous of mi∣litary
glory, to expose
him to dangers, and that
way to try his fortunes.
Thereupon in the Nu∣mantine
warre, when as
Micipsa was to send Aydes
of Horse and Foote vnto
the people of Rome: ho∣ping
that either by the o∣stentation
of his valour,
or the enemies furie he
would be soone slaine, he
giues him the chiefe com∣mand
ouer those Numi∣dians,
which he sent in∣to
Spaine. But the euent
of this was farre otherwise
then he expected: For Iu∣gurth,
as he was of an actiue
and sharpe conceite, when
he found out the disposi∣tion
descriptionPage 226
of Pu. Scipio, Generall
as then for the Romanes,
and withall, the enemies
behauiour: by much la∣bour
and much care, be∣sides
by obeying mode∣stly,
and incountring
dangers willlingly, hee
came to that renoune in a
short time, that to our
men he was very deare, to
the Numantines very
dreadfull: and for cer∣taine
(which is a thing
most difficult) he was va∣liant
in battle, and wise
in counsell; one of which
commonly out of proui∣dence
begets feare, the
other out of boldnesse be∣gets
temerity.
Therefore the Generall
performed for the most
descriptionPage 227
part all difficult affaires
by Iugurth, he rankt him
amongst his friends, and
honoured him euery day
more then other; as one
whose counsell and vnder∣taking
neuer failed. To
these were adioined mu∣nificence
of mind, and
dexterity of wit, by which
qualities he aduantaged
himselfe with the familiar
friendship of many Ro∣manes.
At that time sundry vp∣starts,
and Noblemen
serued in our Armie,
who preferred riches, be∣fore
that which was good
and decent: being fa∣ctious
and powerfull at
home, more popular a∣mongst
their companions,
descriptionPage 228
then honest in themselues:
who by promises had kin∣dled
great hopes in Iu∣gurth,
that when King Mi∣cipsa
once dyed, he alone
should inioy the King∣dome
of Numidia: in him
there was a large portion
of vertue: at Rome all
things were to be sold.
But after that, when
Numantia being de∣stroyed,
P. Scipio resolued
to dismisse his Aydes,
and to returne home him∣selfe,
he brought Iugurth
(with intent to reward
and honour him) before
the assembly, into the
Praetorian Tent: And
there in secret gaue him
these admonitions: that
he should rather publick∣ly
descriptionPage 229
then priuately obserue
the friendship of the Ro∣man
people, that he should
not accustome himselfe to
particular largesses: those
fauours would be bought
dangerously from some
few, in which many were
interessed: if he would be
constant to his owne
courses, renowne and the
Kingdome would come
to him freely: but if hee
should proceed with too
much haste, he and his mo∣ney
would be ruined to∣gether.
Hauing spoken thus, he
dismissed him with letters,
which hee was to deliuer
vnto Micispa. The contents
of them were these.
The valour of thy Iu∣gurth
descriptionPage 230
in the Numantine
warre, hath beene most
remarkable: which for
certaine I know reioyceth
thee: hee is for his merits
deare to vs; that hee may
be so to the Senate and
people of Rome, we shall
endeuour with all our
power: I am sincerely
thankfull to thee for
our friendship. Behold,
you haue a man wor∣thy
of your selfe,
and his grandfather
Massinissa.
Therefore the King, as
soone as hee saw those
things confirmed by the
Generals letters, which
he had formerly heard
by a common fame, mo∣ued
with the worth and
descriptionPage 231
respect of the man, resolues
to winne Iugurth with his
bounty: thereupon he a∣dopted
him, & by his testa∣ment
ordained him coheire
with his sonnes: But he
himselfe after some few
yeeres, being spent with
sickenesse and old age,
when he perceiued his end
of life to approach, was
said to haue had these
words with Iugurth, his
friends, and kinsmen, and
his sonnes being present.
I entertained thee into
my Kingdome (O Iugurth)
being a child left without
hope, without fortunes;
conceiuing that I should
be as much indeared to
thee for my benefits, as if
I had beene thy naturall
descriptionPage 232
father: neither hath this
opinion deceiued me. For
to omitte others of thy
great and glorious ex∣ploits,
returning lately
from Numantia, thou hast
honoured both me and
my Kingdome with glo∣ry;
and by thy vertue hast
made the Romans of Con∣federates,
most intimate
friends. The name of our
family is renewed in
Spaine: finally, which is
a thing most difficult a∣mongst
mortals, with glo∣ry
thou hast vanquished
enuy.
Now because nature
doth an end to my
life, I doe warne and con∣iure
thee by this right
hand, and the Kingdomes
descriptionPage 233
allegeance, that thou wilt
regard louingly these my
children, who are thy
kinsmen by birth, thy bre∣thren
by the benefit of my
adoption; nor that thou
wouldst rather adioyne
strangers vnto thee, then
retaine them conioyned in
blood. Not Armies, nor trea∣sure
are the safeguards of a
Kingdome, but friends: whom
thou canst neither force by
Armes, nor get with gold: by
good offices & fidelity they are
procured. But who can be
more a friend then a bro∣ther
to a brother? or what
strāger shall you find faith∣full,
when you shall be an
enemie to your owne flesh
and blood? Surely I leaue
you a Kingdome strong, if
descriptionPage 234
you be good; weake, if you
be wicked: for by concord
small things increase, bydiscord
the greatest are dissolued.
Besides it becomes thee,
(O Iugurth) since thou art
their elder in yeeres, and
wisedome, to foresee, that
nothing fall out otherwise
then well. For in euery con∣trouersie,
he that is most power∣full,
although he receiues the
wrong, yet because hee is most
able, hee is thought to doe it.
But as for you Adherbal,
and Hiempsal, loue and ob∣serue
this so worthy a man
imitate his vertue, and in∣deauour
to the vtmost,
that I may not seeme to
haue adopted better chil∣dren,
then I haue begotten.
To this Iugurth, although
descriptionPage 235
he knew the King dissem∣bled
in his speech, and his
owne thoughts were farre
otherwise, answered re∣spectiuely
for the present:
within some few dayes
Micipsa dies.
CHAP. 2.
The three Kings assemble a¦bout
the partition of the
Kingdome. Iugurth is dis∣graced.
by Hiempsal: his
reuenge and victory.
AFter they, according
to the manner of
Kings, had performed his
obsequies magnificently,
the Princes met all toge∣ther,
that they might con∣sult
amongst themselues
descriptionPage 236
of their affaires. But Hi∣empsal,
who was the yong∣est
of them all, being
proud by nature, and for∣merly
despising Iugurths ig∣nobilitie,
because on the
mothers side, his descent
was meane, sate downe on
the right hand of Adherbal,
left Iugurth should be the
middlemost of the three,
which is accounted the
place of honour amongst
the Numidians. Yet at
length being importuned
by his brother to yeeld it
to the elder, he was hard∣ly
remooued from thence
to the other side.
There when many things
were discussed for the ad∣ministration
of the King∣dome,
Iugurth amongst o∣ther
descriptionPage 237
assertions maintaines,
that all their consultations
and decrees for fiue yeeres
last past ought to be nulli∣fied:
for during all that
time, Micipsa being-spent
with age, was scarce sound
in mind. Then Hiempsal
answered, that this pleased
him: for that he himselfe
within these last three
yeeres came by adoption
to be coheire of the King∣dome:
which speech sunke
deeper into Iugurths brest,
then any man thought.
Therefore from that time
being perplexed with an∣ger
and feare, he labours,
prepares, and onely plots
the meanes, by which Hi∣empsal
might be treache∣rously
surprised. The pro∣ceedings
descriptionPage 238
whereof being
slowe, and his fierce mind
vnappeased, he resolues
howsoeuer to execute his
purpose.
In the first assembly be∣fore
mentioned, it was a∣greed
vpon by the Kings,
in regard of their dissensi∣on,
that the treasures
should be deuided, and
that the bounds of each
ones Dominion should
be limited. Thereupon a
time for both ••hese is pre∣fixed,
but the mony was to
be soonest distributed: The
Kings in the meane time
remoued seuerally into
places adioyning neere to
the treasures. But Hiemp∣sal
by chance tooke vp his
lodging in ones house in
descriptionPage 239
the towne of Thermida,
who being chiefest Serge∣ant
at Armes to Iugurth,
was much beloued and e∣steemed
of him: whom
being offered for an instru∣ment
by fortune, he loades
with promises, and per∣swades:
that vnder the co∣lour
of visiting his house,
he should forge false keyes
for the gates, for the true
ones were deliuered to
Hiempsal: Moreouer, when
occasion should serue, he
himselfe would come with
sufficient Forces.
The Numidian speedi∣ly
executeth his com∣mands:
and as he was in∣structed,
brings in Iugurths
Souldiers by night: they
dispersing themselues, seek
descriptionPage 240
the King: they kill some
sleeping, others incoun∣tring
them: they search
the secretest places, breake
vp the barred doores, and
confound all things with
noise and tumult: when
in the meane time Hiempsal
is found out, being hid in
the cottage of a woman
seruant, whither at the
first being frighted, and
ignorant of the place, he
was fled. The Numidians,
as they were commanded,
brought his head to Iu∣gurth.
Now the fame of so
great an outrage is quick∣ly
divulged throughout
all Africke: a sudden feare
surpriseth Adherbal and all
those, who had beene vn∣der
descriptionPage 241
Micipsaes gouern∣ment.
The Numidians
are diuided into two
parts: the most follow
Adherbal, but that other
the best men of warre.
whereupon Iugurth leuyeth
the greatest Forces that
he could▪ the Citties, part∣ly
by force, and partly by
voluntary surrender he
adioines to his owne Do∣minions:
and makes pre∣parations
to subiect all
Numidia••
B••t Adherbal, although
he had sent Ambassadours
to Rome, which were to
informe the Senate of his
brothers murthers, and his
owne estate, yet trusting
in the multitude of his
Souldiers, he prouides a
descriptionPage 242
tryall by Armes: when
the matter came to debate∣ment,
being ouercome he
flies out of the battell in∣to
his Prouince, and from
thence hee poasteth to
Rome. Then Iugurth his
designes being compas∣sed,
after he got the Soue∣raignety
of all Numidia,
considering at leisure the
fact by him committed,
he much feared the peo∣ple
of Rome; nor against
their indignation could
he assure any hope, except
it were from the auarice of
the Nobility, and his owne
money. Therefore some
few dayes after, he sends
his Ambassadours to
Rome with much gold
and siluer, to whom hee
descriptionPage 245
gaue in charge; that first
with gifts they should sa∣tisfie
his old friends: then
they should procure new:
finally, that they should
not delaye to corrupt
with bribes, whomsoeuer
they could.
But as soone as the Am∣bassadours
were arriued
at Rome, and according
to their Kings command
had sent rich presents vn∣to
their Patrons and o∣thers,
whose authority as
then was most powerfull
in Senate: such an altera∣tion
forthwith insued,
that Iugurth from their
highest displeasure, was re∣ceiued
into the grace and
fauour of the Nobility:
Part of whom being in∣duced
descriptionPage 242
with hopes, part
with rewards, laboured
by suing to the Senatours
seuerally, that no rigo∣rous
Decree might passe
against him. Thereupon
as soone as the Ambassa∣dours
were fully confir∣med,
an Audience in Se∣nate,
vpon an appointed
day is granted to both
parties: Then Adherbal
(as we haue heard) spake
after this manner.
CHAP. 3.
Adherbals Oration to the
Senate. The reply of Iu∣gurths
Ambassadours.
YE Fathers Conscript,
Micipsa my father in∣ioyned
descriptionPage 245
me, that I should
thinke the deputed Go∣uernment
of the King∣dome
of Numidia to be
onely mine; that the right
and Soueraignty was in∣tirely
yours: withall that
I should striue to the vt∣most
both in peace and
••••arre, to be most seruicea∣••••
vnto you: That I
〈◊〉〈◊〉 esteeme you in the
place of kinsmen and
Allies. If I did thus, I
should possesse by your
friendship Armies, ri∣ches,
and the fortresses of
my Kingdome▪ Which
precepts of my fa••then,
whilst obserued, Iugurth
a man of all; whom the
earth beares, the most
wicked, hath thrust out me
descriptionPage 246
Massenissaes nephew, and
your Confederate and
friend, as it were by
inheritance, out of my
Kingdome, and all my for∣tunes.
And since (ye Fathers
Conscript) I was to arriue
at this point of misery, I
would that rather for my
owne, then my Ance∣stours,
I could claim••••••••••∣sistance
from you; But es∣pecially,
that good offices
might be due to me from
the Romane people, of
which I stood not any
wayes necessitated; next
to this I would, if they
were to be wisht for, that
I might vse them as debts
of duty. But because good∣nesse
is hardly safe in it∣selfe,
descriptionPage 247
neither was I assu∣red,
what Iugurths demea∣nour
would be, I fled to
you for refuge (ye Fathers
Conscript) vnto whom,
which is the greatest mise∣ry
to me, I am compelled to
be a burthen, before I
could be vsefull.
Other Kings either sub∣dued
by warre, haue beene
by you admitted into
friendship, or else in their
doubtfull, affaires, haue
required your alliance.
Our Family contracted
friendship with the peo∣ple
of Rome in the Car∣thaginian
warre, at what
time their faith was more
to be valued, then their
fortune, whose off-spring,
me and Massinissaes ne∣phew
descriptionPage 248
doe not suffer (ye
Fathers Conscript) to
implore your Ayde in
vaine. If I had no other
cause to require it besides
my wretched fortune: in
that, being not long since
a King powerfull in li∣nage,
renowne and for∣ces;
now deformed with
troubles, and poore, I doe
expect other mens helpes:
yet had it concerned the
Maiesty of the Romane
people to repell this iniu∣ry,
and not to suffer any
mans Kingdome to be in∣larged
by villany.
But I am expelled out
of those territories which
the Romane people gaue
to my Ancestours; from
whence my father and
descriptionPage 249
grandfather, ioyntly with
you, chased Siphat and
the Carthaginians: Your
benefits are wrested from
me (ye Fathers Conscript)
you in my wrong are des∣pised.
Ay me wretched
man. To this issue, (Mi∣cipsa
my father) are thy
benefits come; that
whom thou hast made
equall with thy children,
and partaker of the King∣dome,
he should be the
chiefe suppresser of thy
progeny? neuer therefore
shall our Family rest?
shall we alwayes conuerse
with blood, armes, and
flights?
Whilst the Carthagi∣nians
flourished in safety,
all grieuances▪ we iustly
descriptionPage 250
suffered. The enemy on
each side: you our friends
were farre off, all hope
lay in our armes. But af∣ter
that plague was rid
out of Africke, we exerci∣sed
peace securely; as vn∣to
whom there was no
foe, except perchaunce
such a one, whom you
would inioyne. But be∣hold
Iugurth aduancing
himselfe with vnsufferable
boldnesse, pride, and vil∣lany
(my brother and the
same his kinsman being
slaine) first, made his
Kingdome the reward of
his wickednesse: after,
when he could not cir∣cumuent
me with the
same wiles, expecting no∣thing
lesse then warre or
descriptionPage 251
violence; in your Empire,
as you see, he hath made
mee liue in exile from my
house and Country, being
poore, and ouerwhelmed
with miseries; so that any
where my abode may be
safer, then within my
owne Kingdome.
I thought so (ye Con∣script
Fathers) as I had
heard my father relate;
that they who should ob∣serue
your friendship stri∣ctly,
vndertooke a labo∣rious
taske, but that of all
men they were the safest.
What lay in our families
power, it performed, to
assist you in al your wars;
it lyes in your hands (ye
Conscript Fathers) to
safeguard vs at your lei∣sure.
descriptionPage 252
Our father left: vs two
brethren, this third Iugurth
he thought by his benefits
to allye vnto vs: one of the
two is slaine, the other
hath hardly escaped his
impious hands.
What shall I doe? or
whither, wretch that I
am, shall I addresse my
selfe? all supports of al∣liance
are lost: my Fa∣ther
by the decree of na∣ture
is deceased: a kins∣man,
whom it least besee∣med,
hath villanously
murthered my brother:
the rest of my Confede∣rates,
friends, and kinsmen,
this or that mischiefe hath
seuerally oppressed. Those
whom Iugurth hath atta∣ched,
some haue beene
descriptionPage 253
crucified, others haue
beene exposed to wild
beasts: a few whose soules
are onely left, being shut
vp in darkenesse with an∣guish
and griefe, leade a
life more grieuous then
death.
If all those proprieties,
which I haue either lost,
or from being vsefull, are
become hurtfull, remai∣ned
intire: yet if any vn∣expected
calamity hap∣ned,
I should implore
you (ye Fathers Con∣script)
to whom for the
Maiesty of your Empire,
all right and wrong ought
to be regardfull. But now
being banished from my
house and Country, or
••orne, and wanting an ho∣nest
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descriptionPage 253
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descriptionPage 254
accommodations,
whither shall I goe? or to
whom shall I appeale? vn∣to
the Nations and Kings,
all of whom hate our fa∣mily
in regard of your
friendship? what, can I goe
to any place where there
are not many hostile mo∣numents
of my Ance∣stours?
will any commise∣rate
vs, who was euer an
enemy to you? finally,
Massinissa taught vs thus
(ye Fathers Conscript)
that we should obserue
none but the people of
Rome, that we should
contract no new Confe∣deracies
and Leagues, that
in your friendship wee
should haue sufficient as∣surance.
If the fortune of
descriptionPage 255
your state suffred altera∣tion,
we must perish with
you.
By your owne vertue,
and the fauour of the gods
you are mighty & power∣full;
all things are prospe∣rous
and obedient vnto
you: so that you may with
more ease releeue the
wrongs of your Confede∣rates.
Onely this I feare,
that Iugurths priuate insi∣nuation
(as yet not well
discouered) may peruert
some mens iudgements,
who, as I heare, doe with
all their power labour, sue,
and sollicite you seuerally,
that you would not decree
any thing of him being
absent, and his cause vn∣heard,
pretending that
descriptionPage 256
I disguise my speech, and
counterfeit flight, who if
I list, might remaine in
my Kingdome. But would
to God I might see him, by
whose vnnaturall treason,
I am throwne into these
miseries, dissembling af∣ter
the same manner: and
that this care of humane
affaires might be tooke by
you, or by the immortall
gods, that he, who is
nowe growne proud, and
honoured for his villanies,
being tortured with all
kind of mischiefes, might
for his impiety towards
my father, for the mur∣mer
of my brother, and
for my calamities, ••ender
sufficient punishment.
Already (brother most
descriptionPage 257
deare to my soule) al∣though
thy life hath been
taken from thee vntimely,
and by ill beseeming
meanes, yet I thinke this,
thy fortune to be rather
reioyced at then lamen∣ted:
for not a Kingdome,
but flight, exile, want,
and all other miseries,
which vexe me, thou hast
lost together with thy life.
But I vnhappy man, pre∣cipitated
into such mis∣fortunes,
and beaten out
of my fathers Kingdome,
doe represent a spectacle
of mans estate: vnresol∣ued
what to doe, whether
I shall persecute thy
wrongs, being my selfe
destitute of helpe, or pro∣uide
for my Kingdomes
descriptionPage 258
good, the power of whose
life and death lyes at the
mercy of others. Would
to God to dye, were an
end proper for my for∣tunes;
that I might not
seeme to liue despised, if
tired with troubles, I yeel∣ded
to iniury.
Now, because I haue
no pleasure to liue, nor
power to dye without dis∣grace
(ye Fathers Con∣script)
coniured by your
selues, by your children,
your parents and the Ma∣iestie
of the Romane peo∣ple,
releeue me a man di∣stressed,
preuent my
wrong, and suffer not the
Kingdome of Numidia,
which is yours, to be pol∣luted
with Treason and
descriptionPage 259
the blood of our family.
After the King had fini∣shed
his speech, Iugurths
Ambassadours more con∣fident
in their gifts, then
goodnesse of cause,
answere briefly: that
Hiempsal for his cruelty
was slaine by the Numi∣dians:
that Adherbal of his
owne accord making war,
being ouercome complai∣ned,
because he was dis∣inabled
to doe wrong;
that Iugurth requested the
Senate, that they would
take him for no other,
then he was knowne at
Numantia: nor that they
would value his enemies
words before his deeds.
Vpon this, both of
descriptionPage 260
them depart the Court,
foorthwith the Senate
takes counsell: the Pa∣trones
of the Ambassa∣dours,
besides a great par∣ty
corrupted with fauour,
vilified Adherbal in their
speeches: with praises
they magnifie Iugurths
vertue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with counte∣nance,
words, and all
other meanes, they stroue
to defend another mans
treason and wickednesse,
as if it had concerned
their owne honour.
But oppositely some
few, to whom goodnesse
and equity, were dearer
then riches, gaue sen∣tence,
that Adherbal was
to be succoured, and
Hiempsals death was seuere∣ly
descriptionPage 261
to be punished. But of
them all, most earnest was
Aemilius Scaurus, a Noble
man, of an actiue spirit,
factious, couetous of
rule, and honour; yet one
that could cunningly pal∣liate
his vices. He hauing
obserued the Kings noto∣rious
and impudent bri∣bery,
fearing (as it falls
out in like cases) that with
too much liberty of lan∣guage,
he might procure
enuy, he restrained his
mind from that wonted
humour. Notwithstan∣ding
in Senate that part
preuailed, which before
right preferred reward or
fauour. A Decree is made,
that ten Delegates should
diuide the Kingdome
descriptionPage 262
which Micipsa held, be∣tweene
Iugurth and Ad∣herbal.
The chiefe of this
Ambassie, was Lu. Opi∣mius,
a man much estee∣med,
and powerfull in Se¦nate,
because being Con∣sull,
when as C. Graccus,
and Mar. Fuluius were
slaine, he did rigorously
prosecute the reuenge of
the Nobility against the
Commons. Him Iugurth,
although he had formerly
beene his friend at Rome,
entertained with great re∣spect:
by giuing and pro∣mising
much he wrought
so, that before reputa∣tion,
loyaltie, nay all his
owne fortunes, he prefer∣red
the Kings profit. The
rest of the Delegates he
descriptionPage 263
attempted with the like
practice: to some fewe,
faith was more respected
then money.
In the diuision, that
part of Numidia, which
bordereth Mauritania, be∣ing
more opulent in soyle
and people, is assigned
vnto Iugurth: that other,
(more commended for
shew then profit, as ha∣uing
more Harbours, and
fairer houses,) fell to Ad∣herbals
lot.
CHAP. 4.
Africke described as was then
knowne to the Romanes.
Her first Inhabitants.
THe occasion seemes
to require, that I
descriptionPage 264
should briefly deliuer the
situation of Africke, and
touch the conditions of
those Nations, with
whom we haue had warre
or peace. But what places
and people haue beene
scarce frequented, through
the skortching heate,
mountaines, and desarts,
of them I will relate no∣thing
for•• certaine: the re∣sidue••
I will in few words
vnsold.
In the diuision of the
terrestriall Globe, most
men allow Africke for a
third part: some fewe
would haue onely Asia &
Europe: but Africke in
Europe. Her borders on
the West are the Ocean,
and Mediterranean seas;
descriptionPage 265
on the East a spacious
breadth of declining land,
which place the Inhabi∣tants
call Carabathmon.
The sea is rough without
hauens: the soile is fertill
of graine, fit for Cattell,
scant of trees. In the Aire
and earth, there is scarci∣ty
of water. The people
are healthfull of body,
swift of foot, patient of
labour Old age dissolues
most of them, except per∣chance,
such who perish
by the sword or wild
beasts. For seldome sicke∣nesse
kills any. Besides
there are many creatures
of venemous kinds.
But what people inha∣bited
Africke at first, and
who afterward arriued,
descriptionPage 266
and how they were inter∣mingled
one with ano∣ther,
although it differs
from the common report;
yet as it hath beene inter∣preted
vnto vs out of the
Punicke bookes, which
were said to be King
Hiempsals, and as the na∣tiues
of that Country
thinke to be, I will dis∣course
in briefe. But the
credit of it shall be requi∣red
of the Authours.
In the beginning, the
Getulians and Libians in∣habited
Africke, a rough
and barbarous people:
whose food was the flesh
of wild beasts, and such
fruites of the earth, as
Cattell eate. These men
were gouerned neither
descriptionPage 267
by customes, Lawes, nor
Magistrates: wandring
disperst, they lodged
there where night infor∣ced.
But after that Hercu∣les
dyed in Spaine (as the
Africans doe coniecture,)
his Army being composed
of sundry Nations (ha∣uing
lost their Captaine,
and many of the Leaders
affecting the chiefe com∣mand)
disbanded shortly
after. Of this number the
Medes, Persains, and Ar∣menians
transported into
Affricke by shipping, sea∣zed
vpon the Regions
confining on the Medi∣terranean
sea; the Per∣sians
were inmost from
the Ocean; and they dwelt
in the Hulles of their
descriptionPage 268
ships turned vpside down,
in lieu of Cottages: for
neither the soyle afforded
materials for building,
neither had they meanes
to buy or barter any from
the Spaniards. The great
Sea, and an vnknowne lan∣guage
prohibited all com∣merce.
These by degrees, mar∣rying
with the Getulians,
intermingled themselues
with them; and because
trying the goodnesse of
the pasture, they wandred
from one place to ano∣ther,
they called them∣selues
Numidae. Now
euen to this day, the hou∣ses
of the Peazart Numi∣dians,
which they terme
Mapalia, being very large,
descriptionPage 269
and couered with croo∣ked
tiles, doe resemble
the bottomes of ships.
Vnto the Medes and
Armenians, the Lybians
adioyned themselues, for
they liued next the Afri∣can
Sea; the Getulians
more neere the Sunne,
not farre from the skort∣ching
heat, and these soo∣nest
inhabited Townes:
For being diuided from
Spaine by a narrow sea,
they resolued to trafficke
one with another. The
Lybians not long after
corrupted their names,
calling them in their bar∣barous
language, Mauri,
for Medi.
But the estate of the
Persians soone flourished;
descriptionPage 270
and after that the Nomo-Numidians,
because of
multitude forsaking their
parents, possessed that ter∣ritory,
which lying next
to Carthage is named
Numidia. Then relying
on each others support,
they inforced their neigh∣bours,
either by Armes,
or the terrour of them,
vnto subiection: they got
a name and renowne:
those especially which
were seated neerest to the
Mediterranean sea. Be∣cause
the Lybians were
lesse warlike then the Ge∣tulians:
besides, for that
all nether Africke is pos∣sessed
by the Numidians;
all the vanquished were
incorporated into the
descriptionPage 271
name and Nation of the
Conquerours.
Afterwards the Phaeni∣cians,
some for lessening
the multitude at home,
some through the desire
of rule hauing sollicited
the Commons, and others
longing after nouelties,
built Hippon, Adrume∣tum,
Leptis, and other
Cities on the sea-coast;
and these in short time be∣ing
much augmented, be∣came
partly a safe guard,
partly an honour vnto
their first Progenitours.
For to be silent of Car∣thage,
I hold it more per∣tinent,
then to speake of spa∣ringly,
since time warnes
me to speede to another
discourse.
descriptionPage 272
Neere therefore vnto
Catabathmon, which is
the frountier diuiding
Aegypt from Africke, in
the lower sea, first of all
appeareth Cirene a Colo∣ny
of the Thereans; then
the two Syrtes, and be∣tweene
them Leptis: last
of all the A••tars of the
Philenian brethren,
which place towards Ae∣gypt
the Carthaginians
had for a border of their
Empire: beyond are some
Punicke Citties: the rest
of those Regions the Nu∣midians
possesse, as farre
as Mauritania. The
Moores are next to
Spaine. Aboue Numidia
we haue heard the Ge••u∣lians
are liuing partly in
descriptionPage 273
Cottages, others of them
wandring more wildly.
Behind them are the Ae∣thiopians,
then the Coun∣tries
skortched with the
Solar heate.
CHAP. 5.
The estate of the African af∣faires,
when these Warres
began. Iugurth ingageth
Adherbal to fight, and de∣feateth
his Army.
THerefore in the Iu∣gurthine
warre, the
Romane people gouerned
most part of the Punicke
Townes, and the territo∣ries
of the Carthaginians
last conquered, by their
descriptionPage 274
Magistrates. A great part
of the Gerulians, and the
Numidians as farre as the
riuer Mulucha, were vnder
Iugurths rule: All the
Moores King Bocchus
commanded, but by re∣port,
being wholy igno∣rant
of the Roman people,
and neuer before knowne
to vs by any occasion of
warre or peace. Of Africk,
and her Inhabitants e∣nough
is spoken for the
present vse.
After that the King∣dome
being diuided, the
Delegates were departed
from Africke; and Iugurth
contrary to his owne feare,
sawe that he had obtained
the rewards of his vil∣lany;
besides deeming
descriptionPage 275
as he had heard, from his
friends at Numantia,
that all things at Rome
were venall: and withall
being inflamed with their
promises, whom before
he had loaded with gifts,
he bends his thoughts
wholly vpon Adherbals
Kingdome. He himselfe
was fierce and warlike, but
that other whom he inua∣ded,
was peaceable, no
Souldier, of a soft dispo∣sition,
a fit subiect for
wrong, more fearing,
then to be feared.
Whereupon, Iugurth
on the suddaine doth
inuade his Frountiers
with a strong Army:
hee takes many men
prisoners, with Cat∣tell
descriptionPage 276
and other booty; he
burnes houses, & in hostile
manner surprizeth many
places with his Cauallery.
Then he retires with all
his Troupes into his
owne Kingdome; conie∣cturing
that Adherbal pro∣uoked
with indignation,
would forcibly reuenge
these wrongs, and that
would be a sufficient pre∣tence
for warre.
But he, for that he e∣steemed
himselfe no
match for the other in
Armes, and because he re∣lyed
more on the friend∣ship
of the Romane peo∣ple,
then on the Numi∣dians;
he sends Ambassa∣dours
to Iugurth, to com∣plaine
of these iniuries
descriptionPage 277
who although they retur∣ned
a reproachfull an∣swer,
yet first to suffer all
things was he resolued,
then to vndertake the
warre, because being
formerly tryed, it had sor∣ted
to his losse. Neither
for that was Iugurths am∣bition
any whit lessened,
as one who in his conceit
had swallowed the others
whole Kingdome: where∣fore
not as before with a
predatory Troupe, but
with a mighty Army le∣uied,
he began to make
warre, and openly clai∣med
the whole Kingdom
of Numidia.
Then whersoeuer he mar∣ched,
he wasted the Citties
& fields: he driueth preyes;
descriptionPage 278
in his owne men he am∣plifieth
courage, in his
enemies terrour.
Adherbal, when he per∣ceiued
his affaires brought
to this issue, that he must
either relinquish his King∣dome,
or retaine it by
Armes, out of meere ne∣cessity
he raiseth Forces,
and aduanceth to meet
Iugurth: vpon this not far
from the sea, neere to the
towne of Cirtha, both
Armies incamped: and
because the day was then
closing, they did not be∣gin
the battell. But as
soone as more then mid∣night
was past, the light
being then obs••nre, the
Iugurth••e Souldiers, a
signall being giuen, as∣sailed
descriptionPage 279
the enemies Camp:
some halfe sleeping, o∣thers
taking armes they
chase and defeate: Adher∣bal
with some few Horse∣men
escapes to Cirtha:
and except great numbers
of Cittizens had from the
walls, stayed the pursuing
Numidians, in one day
the warre betweene these
two Kings had beene be∣gun
and ended.
Thereupon Iugurth be∣leaguers
the Towne: with
vine workes, Towers and
all other warlike engines
hee indeuours to take it:
making all possible speed
to anticipate the returne of
the Ambassadours, who
before the battel fought, he
heard were sent to Rome
descriptionPage 280
by Adberbal. But after the
Senate was informed of
this warre, three young
men are dispatched for A∣fricke,
who should goe to
both the Kings, and deli∣uer
this message by word
of mouth, That the Senate
and people of Rome, did will
and require them to lay downe
their Armes: thus to doe, was
an act worthy of themselues,
and them their friends.
descriptionPage 281
CHAP. 6.
Three young men dispatched
from Rome vnto the two
Kings, arriue in Africke.
Iugurths deepe dissimula∣tion.
After their depar∣ture
he reinuesteth Cirtha.
THe Ambassadours
came with more
speed into Africke, be∣cause
at Rome, whilst
they were preparing to
goe, they heard of the
battel fought, and the
besieging of Cirtha. But
that rumour was fauoura∣ble.
Iugurth hauing vnder∣stood
the tenour of their
message, answered: That
descriptionPage 282
to himselfe not any thing
was more esteemed, nor
dearer then the authority
of the Senate: that from
his youth vpward he had
so indeuoured himselfe,
that he might get the ap∣probation
of all good
men: that for his vertue,
not his ill deeds, he was
gracious to P. Scipio, that
man of men: for the same
respects, he was adopted
by Micipsa into the King∣dome,
not for any want of
Issue. Besides, by how
much the more he had
done things well and
brauely, by so much the
lesse could his spirit dis∣gest
wrongs. That Adher∣bal
had treacherously laid
waite for his life, which
descriptionPage 283
as soone as he discoue∣••ed,
he had but preuen∣••ed
his villany: that the
people of Rome should
not deale according to
••ustice nor honesty, if
••hey should debarre him
from the Law of Nations.
Finally, that for the set∣••ing
of all his affaires, he
would speedily send Am∣bassadours
to Rome:
Thus both of them seuer
themselues. Licence of
speaking with Adherbal
was not graunted.
Iugurth, as soone as he
thought they were de∣parted
from Africke, for
that in regard of its natu∣rall
situation, he could
not force Cirtha by
Armes: hee enuirones
descriptionPage 284
the walls with a Ditch
and Rampier: he raised
Towers, and assured them
with strong guards; more
ouer, day and night he••
makes triall of his fortune
either by force or fraude
he presents to those who
defended the walls, some
times rewards, some
times terrour: by incou¦raging
his owne men he
doth raise their valour
he is wholly bent vpon all
needfull preparations.
When Adherbal vnder¦stood
that all his fortunes
were reduced vnto a des∣perate
extremity, that the
enemy was implacable,
that there was no hope
of Aide, that for want of
necessary meanes the wars
descriptionPage 285
could not be prolonged:
of them, which with him
fled to Cirtha, he selected
two of a most actiue dis∣position;
them by large
promises, and commise∣ration
of his estate, he in∣duceth,
that through the
enemies workes they
should make an escape to
the neerest sea, and from
thence to Rome. The Nu∣midians
in some few daies
performe his commands:
The letters of Adherbal
were recited in the Se∣nate:
whose tenour was
this:
Not through my owne
default (ye Fathers Con∣script)
doe I send so of∣ten
to petition you: the
descriptionPage 286
violence of Iugurth, doth
inforce it: whom so
stronge a desire of mur∣thering
me hath possessed,
that he hath neither you,
nor the immortall gods
in his mind; he doth more
thirst for my blood, then
for all things else. Where∣fore
now this fifth mo∣neth,
I being a Confede∣rate
and friend of the Ro∣mane
people, am besie∣ged
by force of Armes:
neither the benefits of my
father Micip••a, nor your
Decrees are auailable:
whether with sword or fa∣mine
he doth most presse
me, I am vncertaine. To
write more of this Iugurth,
my fortune doth disswade
me: I haue already tryed,
descriptionPage 287
that small credit is giuen
to miserable men. But yet
I doe sufficiently con∣ceiue,
that he aymeth at
some thing aboue that
which I am, neither doth
he hope at once for your
friendship and my King∣dome:
whether he pro∣••ects
any thing more hai∣nous,
there is no man but
knowes.
For at first, he murthe∣red
Hiempsal my brother:
then he droue me out of
my fathers Kingdome.
What iniuries were sole∣ly
ours, did nothing per∣taine
to you. But now hee
vsurpeth my Kingdome
by Armes: me whom you
haue appointed to rule
ouer the Numidians, he
descriptionPage 288
keepes shut vp, and besie∣ged.
How much he va∣lued
your Ambassadours
speeches, my dangers de∣clare.
What remedy is
left, but your power, by
which he may be remo∣ued?
for verily I could
wish, that those things,
which I now write, and
those of which I haue for∣merly
complained in Se∣nate,
were all false, rather
then my misery should
giue credit to my words.
But because I was borne
for this purpose, that I
should be the scoffe of Iu∣gurths
vilanies, I doe not
now deprecate death and
miseries, but only my ene∣mies
tyranny, and bodily
to ments. For the King∣dome
descriptionPage 289
of Numidia which
is yours, prouide as you
please: deliuer me out of
his impious hands, by the
Maiesty of your Empire,
by the faith of your friend∣ship,
if any remembrance
abides with you of my
grand-father Massinissa.
CHAP. 7.
Ambassadours of greater qua∣lity
are commissioned to
goe for Africke. They are
slacke in their charge. Cir∣tha
yeelds vpon composi∣tion.
Adherbal is slaine.
THese letters being
read, some were of
descriptionPage 290
opinion, that an Army
was to be sent into Africk,
and Adherbal was to be
forthwith succoured: that
they should aduise them∣selues
concerning Iugurth,
because he had disobeyed
the Ambassadours. But the
very same fauourers of the
King laboured with all
their power, that no such
Decree should passe. Thus
the publicke good (as it
oftentimes falls out) was
ouercome by priuate fa∣uour.
Yet were there sent
into Afticke other Noble
men, elder then the first,
who had vndergone most
honourable charges: a∣mongst
whom was M.
Scaurus, (of whom wee
haue formerly spoken)
descriptionPage 291
one who had beene Con∣sull,
and was as then Pre∣sident
of the Senate.
These, because the foule∣nesse
of the fact was sub∣iect
to much hatred, and
withall being importuned
by the Numidians, imbar∣ked
themselues the third
day following; then lan∣ding
not long after at Vti∣ca,
they dispatched let∣ters
to Iugurth importing,
that with all, possible
speed, he should come to
them into the Prouince.
He as soone as he vn∣derstood,
that men of ho∣nour,
whose authority he
heard was powerfull at
Rome, came purposely to
crosse his proceedings;
being at first much per∣plexed,
descriptionPage 292
he was diuersly
distracted with feare and
desire. He feared the dis∣pleasure
of the Senate, if
he shewed himselfe diso∣bedient
to the Ambassa∣dours:
againe his mind
being blinded with ambi∣tion,
did violently trans∣port
him towards the in∣tended
treason: yet euill
counsell preuailed ouer
his head-strong disposi∣tion.
Thereupon his Army
hauing surrounded Cir∣tha,
he endeuours to
force it to the vtmost of
his power, being very
hopefull, that the ene∣mies
Troupes being thus
diuided, he should by as∣sault,
or stratagem,
descriptionPage 293
find out some way of vi∣ctory
for himselfe: which
falling out otherwise, and
being vnable to effect,
what he intended, about
the surprizing of Adherbal,
before he visited the Am∣bassadours;
lest by fur∣ther
delayes he might of∣fend
Scaurus, whō he much
feared, with a few Horse∣men
hee comes into the
Prouince. And although
to the orders of the Senate
heauy comminations were
added, in case he should
not desist from the siege,
yet after much talke in
vaine, they departed with∣out
any further effect.
After these things were
related at Cirtha, these
Italians (by whose valour
descriptionPage 294
the walls were defended)
being confident, that
vpon a surrender made,
they should in regard of
the Maiesty of the Ro∣mane
name, be dismissed
without any further hurt,
doe perswade Adherbal,
that he should yeeld him∣selfe
and the towne to Iu∣gurth:
onely he should
condition with him for
his life, that as for the rest,
the Senate would be care∣full.
But he, although he
deemed all things safer
then Iugurths faith, yet be∣cause
they had power in
themselues to force him,
if he should be refractory,
he makes a surrender.
Thereupon Iugurth hauing
first tortur'd Adherbal, puts
descriptionPage 295
him to death; then hee
murthers all the Numi∣dian
youth, and mar∣chants
promiscuously, as
any man incountred his
armed Souldiers.
After which massacre
was published at Rome,
and the matter began to
be debated in Senate, the
very same ministers of the
King, by interposing
themselues, and protra∣cting
time, now by fa∣uour,
then againe by their
cauils, did mitigate the
foulenes of the fact: so that
except C. Memius Tribune
of the people elect, (being
a man of courage, and
much offended with the
power of the Nobility)
had fully informed the
descriptionPage 296
people of Rome, that a
plot was layd, for procu∣ring
Iugurths pardon, by
some few of his faction,
without question all the
hatred of this his offence,
had vanished into no∣thing,
through their di∣latory
consultations. So
powerfully wrought the
Kings fauour and mo∣ney.
But as soone as the Se∣nate,
through the con∣science
of their owne er∣rour,
grew fearefull of the
people: by the Sempro∣nian
Law, Numidia and
Italy were decreed for
Prouinces to the future
Cousuls. P. Scipio Nasica,
L. Bestia Calpurnius, were
declared Consuls: to Cal∣purnius
descriptionPage 297
Numidia, to Sci∣pio
Italy fell by lot. forth∣with
an Army is inrolled
to be transported into
Africke: paye and all o∣ther
prouisions requisite
for the warre are appoin∣ted.
But Iugurth, contrary to
his expectation, being in∣formed
of this by a mes∣senger;
for because he was
fully perswaded that all
things were venall at
Rome: he sends his sonne,
and with him two of his
familiar friends Ambassa∣dours
to the Senate, and
giues them in charge, as
he had done to those,
whom he had sent after
Hiempsal was slaine, that
they should corrupt whom¦soeuer
descriptionPage 298
they could with
money. who when they
were come to Rome, the
Senates aduice was demā∣ded
of Bestia whether it
were their pleasures, that
Iugurths Ambassadours
should be receiued into
the Citty: and then the
Lords decreed, that ex∣cept
they came to surren∣der
the Kingdome, and
Iugurth himselfe, they
should depart out of Italy
within tenne dayes next
following. The Consull
out of the Decree of the
Senate, commands this
to be reported to the Nu∣midians:
Thus they re∣turne
home without any
successe in their suite.
descriptionPage 299
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
descriptionPage 300
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
descriptionPage 301
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
descriptionPage 302
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
descriptionPage 303
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.
descriptionPage 304
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
descriptionPage 305
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
descriptionPage 306
will relate that, which he
vttered in the assembly af∣ter
Bestiaes returne, in
these or the like words.
CHAP. 9.
The Eloquent Oration of C.
Memmius to the people
of Rome.
YEE men of Rome,
many reasons dis∣swade
me from you, if the
care of the Republicke
did not surmount them
all: as the strength of the
Faction, your patience, &
want of Iustice; but spe∣cially
that Innocence hath
more danger, then Ho∣nour:
for it greeues me
descriptionPage 307
verily to relate, how these
fifteene yeeres, you haue
beene the scoffe of some
few mens pride, how
poorely and vnreuenged
your protectours peri∣shed:
so that through
slouth and cowardice
your spirits are tainted:
who not euen now, rouze
vp your selues against
these obnoxious enemies;
but withall ye feare those,
whose terrour ye ought
to bee: yet howsoeuer
these things stand,
my mind is perforce re∣solued
to oppose the
power of the Faction.
Surely I will make an ex∣perience
of that liberty,
which descended to me
from my father; but whe∣ther
descriptionPage 308
I shal do this in vaine
or to the purpose, it lye
in your hands, O ye Ro∣manes!
Neither doe I perswade
you, which our Ance∣stours
haue often done
that you should incounter
iniuries with Armes
there is no need of force,
nor of disunion: requisite
it is, that they should
runne headlong in their
owne courses. Tiberius
Graccus being slaine,
(whom they reported to
ayme at the Kingdom) grie∣uous
informations were
preferred against the Cō∣monalty
of Rome. Besides
after the murther of C.
Graccus, and M. Fuluius,
many men of your ranke
descriptionPage 309
were slaine in prison. Of
both these massacres, not
law, but their lust limited
the period.
But verily it shall be
making way to the King∣dome,
to restore the Com∣mons
to their owne: what∣soeuer
reuenge cannot be
exercised without ciuill
blood, let it be thought
rightfully done.
In these former yeeres
you were secretly offen∣ded,
that the Treasury
should be pillaged, that
Kings and Free-states
should bee tributaries to
some few Noble men: that
with them should remaine
the highest honour, and
greatest weath: yet to
haue committed these so
descriptionPage 310
great outrages without
impunity, they haue made
it a matter of small ac∣count.
Therefore at lēgth
the Lawes, your Maiesty,
all diuine, and humane
priuiledges are betrayed
vnto your enemies: nei∣ther
are they, who haue
done thus, either ashamed
or greeued: but they braue
it in pompe euen to your
teeth: some vanting their
Priesthoodes, and Consul∣ships,
othersome their
Triumphs: as though for∣sooth
they had these for
markes of honour, not of
rapine.
Slaues bought with mo∣ny
doe not well disgest the
vniust commaunds of
their Masters: doe you
descriptionPage 311
(O yee Romans) borne to
command, with patience
suffer seruitude? But who
are those, who haue vsur∣ped
vpon the Common-wealth?
The worst of
men, whose hands are
bloody, whose Auarice is
infinite, being most no∣cent,
and withall most in∣solent:
by whom faith, ho∣nour,
and religion, finally
all things honest & disho∣nest
are accounted lawfull
sales. One part of them
for killing the Tribunes of
the people: others for
wrongfull examinations,
the most part for murde∣rous
plots against you,
challenge protections for
themselues. Thus, by how
much euery man hath
descriptionPage 312
done worst, by so much
the more is he safe. The
terrour of this they haue
transferred from their
owne wickednesse to your
cowardice. All of whom
it hath combined in one
to desire, hate, and feare
alike. But this amongst
good men is friendship,
amongst euill faction.
But if you had so great
a care of liberty, as they
are ambitious to rule,
without doubt the Com∣mon-wealth
should not,
as it is now; bee wasted;
and your benefits should
be bestowed vpon the best,
not the boldest. Your An∣cestours
for procuring
their right, and establish∣ing
their greatnesse, twice
descriptionPage 313
disuniting themselues, in
warrelike manner posses∣sed
mount Auentine: will
not you for the liberty,
which yee haue receiued
from them, striue with
your best indeauours? and
by so much the more ea∣gerly,
by how much it is a
greater dishonour, to
lose acquisitions, then
to acquire nothing at all.
Some man will say,
What therefore is to bee
done? doe you giue sen∣tence
to take reuenge vp∣on
them, who haue betray∣ed
the Common-wealth
to the enemie? not by the
hand, nor by violence,
which is more vnworthy
for you to doe, then for
them to suffer? but by the
descriptionPage 314
examination and confessi∣on
of Iugurth himselfe, who
if he surrenders himselfe,
no doubt but he will obey
your commands: but if he
contemnes them, then
shall you make a true con∣iecture,
what manner of
peace, or surrender that
may be; by which to Iu∣gurth
impunity of his vil∣lanies,
to some fewe great
men the greatest riches, to
the Cōmon-wealth dam∣mage
and dishonour doth
redound.
Except perchance as yet
the same pleasure of their
tiranny doth possesse you:
and those former times
delight you more then
these, in which King∣domes,
Prouinces, lawes,
descriptionPage 315
rights, iudgements, wars,
and peace; finally all di∣uine
and human rights
were in the power of some
fewe. But yee, that is, the
Romane people, being vn∣uanquished
by your ene∣mies,
and the rulers of all
Nations, thought it
enough for your selues to
liue: for seruitude which
of you durst to refuse?
And though I thinke it
most loathsome to a man,
to suffer wrong without
reuenge, yet could I en∣dure
with patience, that
you should pardon these
notorious malefactours,
because they are Cit••i∣zens;
if this mercy would
not ••urne to your ruine.
For with them it workes
descriptionPage 316
small effects, (how much
importunity soeuer they
haue,) that they haue of∣fended
without punish∣ment,
except a farther li∣berty
of ill doing be taken
from them: and with you
an euerlasting vexation
shall remaine, when
you consider that you
must either serue, or
maintaine your liberty by
Armes.
For of faith and con∣cord,
what hopes are
there? They would Lord
it, you would bee free:
they would doe wrong,
you would restraine it: last
of all your Alies they vse
like enemies, and your
enemies like Alies. Can
peace and friendship
descriptionPage 317
dwell together in such dif∣ferent
affections?
For which cause I doe ad∣monish
and perswade you,
that yee doe not without
impunity sleight so great
an offence. This is no rob∣bery
of the Common trea∣sure:
neither perforce are
moneyes extorted from
our Confederates: which
crimes, although they are
grieuous, yet through cu∣stome,
now they are estee∣med
nothing. To a most
mercilesse enemy, the au∣thority
of the Senate is
betrayed, your Soue∣raignety
is betrayed. In
peace and warre the Com∣mon-wealth
hath beene
set to sale. Which abuses
except they be questio∣ned,
descriptionPage 318
except punishment
be inflicted vpon the of∣fenders;
what will remaine
further, but that we must
liue slaues to them who
haue done these things.
For with impunitie to doe
what you list, that is to be a
King.
Neither doe I (ye Ro∣manes)
perswade you,
that at this time ye should
rather wish your Cittizēs
to doe amisse, then well;
but that by pardoning the
wicked, you doe not seeke
to ruine the good. Besides,
in a Common-wealth, it
is better policy by farre, to
be vnmindfull of a bene∣fit,
then of an offence. A
good man onely growes more
slowe, when you neglect him:
descriptionPage 319
a wicked man farre worse:
More-ouer if iniuries
cease, you shall haue no
need of helpe.
By the frequent de∣liuery
of these, and such
like speeches, C. Memmius
perswaded the people of
Rome, that L. Cassius who
was then Praetour, should
bee sent to Iugurth: and
vpon the assurance of
the publicke faith,
should conduct him to
Rome, that more plainely
by the Kings confession,
the delinquencies of Scau∣rus,
and of the rest, whom
bribes had suborned,
might appeare to all men.
descriptionPage 320
CHAP. 10.
Cassius the Praetour is sent
into Africke. He brings
Iugurth to Rome. Bomil∣car
by the Kings command
murthers his nephew Mas∣siua.
Vpon this Iugurth
returnes into Africke; &
renewes the warre.
VVHilst these af∣faires
passe
thus at Rome, those who
being deputed by Bestia,
commanded the Army in
Numidia, following their
Generalls custome, com∣mitted
many, and most
insolent outrages. There
were some, who being
corrupted with gold, re∣deliuered
descriptionPage 321
the Elephants
to Iugurth: others sold
fugitiues: others made
predatory excursions vp∣on
those, who had former∣ly
made their peace.
But Cassius the Praetour,
(C. Memmius his demaund
being reported, and all
the Nobility being much
terrified) passeth ouer to
Iugurth: and perswades
him being fearefull, and
distrusting his owne estate
out of the guilt of con∣science,
that whereas he
had yeelded himselfe to
the people of Rome, hee
would not make tryall of
their force, rather then of
their clemency.
Priuately besides, he in∣terposeth
his owne faith,
descriptionPage 322
which the other esteemed
no lesse then the publike:
such at that time was Cas∣sius
reputation.
Thereupon Iugurth, con∣trary
to his royall dignity,
comes to Rome in a most
wretched habit. And al∣though
in him there was
great confidence of spirit,
(being incouraged by all
those, by whose power or
villany, he had mannaged
all his former enterprises)
he subornes with a mighty
reward C. Baebius Tribune
of the people, by whose
impudence he might for∣tifie
himselfe against all
right, and wrongfull pro∣ceedings.
But C. Memmius, an as∣sembly
being called; (al∣though
descriptionPage 323
the Commons
were much offended with
the King, and some of
them commanded him to
be cast into bonds, others,
that except he appeached
his Confederates, punish∣ment
should be taken of
him as of an enemy, ac∣cording
to the custome of
their Ancestours:) re∣garding
dignity more
then anger, pacified the tu∣mult,
and appeased their
mindes: finally he gaue
his assurance, that the pu∣blicke
faith should in it
selfe remaine inuiolable.
Afterwards, when they
began to be silent, Iugurth
being produced, Memmius
speakes. He relates his at∣tempts
at Rome and Nu∣midia:
descriptionPage 324
he declares his vil∣lanies
against his father
and brethren: by whose
coassistance and ministery
he did these things, al∣though
the Romane peo∣ple
knew full well, yet
from him they would haue
them manifested more
plainely. If hee reuealed
the truth, great hope was
reposed for him, in the
faith and clemencie of the
people of Rome: but if he
should conceale it, hee
should not for all that saue
his complices, but would
ruine himselfe and his
owne hopes.
Vpon this, when Mem∣mius
had made an end of
speaking, and Iugurth was
commanded to make his
descriptionPage 325
answer: C. Bebius Tribune
of the people, (whom we
haue formerly said to haue
beene corrupted with mo∣ny)
bids the King to be si∣lent:
and although the
multitude which was pre∣sent
in the assembly, being
much incensed, terrified
him with their clamour,
countenance, frequent ve∣hemency,
and all other
expressions, in the doing
whereof anger delights:
yet impudence ouercame.
Thus the people being
made a mockingstocke,
departed out of the assem∣bly.
To Iugurth, Bestiae, and
the rest, whom that exami∣nation
trouble, their
minds became more inso∣lent.
descriptionPage 326
There was at that time a
certaine Numidian at
Rome, Massiua by name,
the sonne of Gulussa, the
nephew of Massinissa: who
because in the dissention
of the Kings, he had beene
opposite to Iugurth; Cirtha
being surrendred, and Ad∣herbal
slaine, escaping by
flight, he forsooke Africke.
This man Spurius Albinus
perswades, (who the next
yeere after Bestia, was
Consull together with Q.
Minutius Rufus) because
he was a descendent from
Massinissa, that he should
prosecute Iugurth with ha∣tred
and terrour: that the
Kingdome of Numidia he
should craue of the Se∣nate.
The Consull was de∣sirous
descriptionPage 327
to manage the war,
he had rather all things
should be disturbed, then
confirmed. To him Nu∣midia,
to Minutius Mace∣donia
befell for Prouinces.
In which businesse when
Massiua began to stir, and
Iugurth was not sufficiently
protected by his friends:
because some of them a
guiltie conscience, others
infamy, and feare of mind
did hinder: he commands
Bomilcar, one who was
neerest, and faithfullest
vnto him, that for reward,
(the meanes by which he
had accomplished many
things) hee should pro∣cure
some insidiously to
murther Massiua; and to
doe it with great secrecy;
descriptionPage 328
but if this plot did not
succeede, he should how∣souer
kill this Numidian.
Bomilcar speedily exe∣cutes
his masters com∣mands:
and by men,
exercised in such feates,
he discouers his iourneies,
and out-goings; finally all
the circumstance of times,
and places. Then as soone
as occasion required, he
layes his snares for him.
Vpō this, one of them who
were prepared for the
murther, something vn∣aduisedly
assaults Massiua,
and kills him: but being
taken in the very act, ma∣ny
men exhorting him,
but chiefly the Consull
Albinus, he makes a free
confession▪ Bomilcar is
descriptionPage 329
found guilty rather by the
prescription of honesty
and equity, then by the
Lawe of Nations: as being
one of his retinue, who
came to Rome vnder the
assurance of the publike
faith.
But Iugurth being dete∣cted
of so hainous a crime,
did not first omit to striue
against the truth, before
he perceiued, that the ha∣tred
of the fact did exceed
both his fauour and mony.
Therefore although in the
former treaty he had giuen
fifty of his friends for ho∣stages:
yet regarding more
his Kingdome, then them,
he dismisseth priuily Bo∣milcar
into Numidia,
doubting, that the rest
descriptionPage 330
of his Cōfederates would
be fearefull to obey him,
if vpon this man punish∣ment
should haue beene
inflicted. He himselfe also
within some few dayes
takes his iourney thither,
being commanded by the
Senate to depart from
Italy. But after hee was
gone forth of Rome, of∣ten
silently looking backe
vnto it, at length he said:
That the Citty was to be
sold, and would quickly
be lost, if it could but find
a Chapman.
In the meane time Al∣binus,
the warre being re∣newed
hasteth to trans∣port
into Africke victuals,
pay, and all other pro∣uisions,
which might be
descriptionPage 331
vsefull for the Soul∣diers:
and forthwith
hee himselfe followes;
of purpose, that be∣fore
the Assembly, for
the election of new Magi∣strates,
(which time was
not farre off) hee might
by Armes, surrender, or
some other meanes finish
the warre. But Iugurth con∣trariwise
drawes out all
his proceedings in length,
hee pretends now these,
then those causes of de∣lay:
hee promiseth to
yeeld, and then faineth
fearefulnesse: to him pur∣suing
he giues way, and
forthwith, lest his owne
men should grow diffi∣dent,
he pursues: thus
sometimes by protracting
descriptionPage 332
the time of warre, some∣times
that of peace, he de∣ludeth
the Consull: so
that there were some, who
thought as then, that Al∣binus
was not altogether
ignorant of the Kings
Counsell: neither could
they well conceiue, how
from so much haste at
first, the warre should
now be prolonged, more
through negligence, then
cunning.
descriptionPage 333
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
descriptionPage 334
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
descriptionPage 335
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
descriptionPage 336
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,
descriptionPage 337
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.
descriptionPage 338
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
descriptionPage 339
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;
descriptionPage 340
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,
descriptionPage 341
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
descriptionPage 342
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.
CHAP. 12.
The Consull is disinabled to
prosecute the warre. Ma∣milius,
one of the Tribunes,
preferres a Request against
them, whom Iugurth had
corrupted. The factions of
the C••ttie described.
AFter he arriued there;
although he was re∣soluted
in mind to perse∣cute
Iugurth, and to salue
the hatred conceiued a∣gainst
descriptionPage 343
his brother: yet ta∣king
a suruey of his Soul∣diers,
whom besides their
flight, for want of disci∣pline,
liberty and loose∣nesse
had corrupted; hee
conceiued from the neces∣sity
of his affaires, that
hee could enterprize no∣thing.
In the meane while at
Rome C. Mamilius Lime∣tanus
Tribune of the peo∣ple,
makes this Request
to the Commons: that a
complaint should be pre∣ferred
against those, by
whose counsell Iugurth had
slighted the Decrees of
the Senate: as also against
them, who in their Am∣bassages,
or military char∣ges,
had receiued money
descriptionPage 344
from him; who had rede∣liuered
the Elephants,
and fugitiues; withall, that
in warre or peace, had
made any Contracts with
the enemies. To crosse
this Request, some con∣scious
to themselues
others out of the enmity
of the factions, fearing
danger (because openly
they could not deny, but
must confesse that these &
such like proceedings did
please them) prepared im∣pedimēts,
couertly by their
friends, but specially by
their ministers of the La∣tine
Nation, and Italian
Allyes.
Yet how earnest the
Cōmous were, incredible
it is to bee related, as also
descriptionPage 345
with what violence they
cōmanded, decreed & de∣sired
the preferring of this
Request, more for the ha∣tred
of the Nobility, a∣gainst
whom these mis∣chiefes
were contriued,
then for the care of the
Republicke such eager∣nesse
was amongst the fa∣ctions.
Whereupō others
being strucken with feare,
M. Scaurus (whom wee
haue formerly reported to
haue beene: Bestiaes. Depu∣ty)
amidst this insultation
of the Commons; and the
flight of his owne party;
(the Citty euen as then
trembling) had brought
to passe, that whereas by
the Mamdian▪ Request,
three Commissioners for
descriptionPage 346
inquiry were demanded,
he himselfe might be cho∣sen
for one of that num∣ber!
But the examination
being prosecuted with ri∣gour
and violence, by
meanes of the clamour and
earnestnesse of the people;
as formely the Nobility
had done: so now the Cō∣monalty
grew insolent
from their prosperous af∣faires.
Moreouer the cu∣stome
of popular fidings,
and factions of the Senate,
as well as of all euill Arts
besides, sprung vp at
Rome some few yeeres
since, out of idlenesse; &
the ab••undance of those
things, which mortall
men esteeme chiefest. For
descriptionPage 347
before Carthage was ra∣zed,
the people and Se∣nate
of Rome, peaceably
and modesty swayed the
Common-wealth. Nei∣ther
was there any con∣trouersie
of glory and
Soueraignety amongst the
Citizens: hostile feare re∣tained
the Citty in good
courses.
But as soone as that ter∣rour
was remoued from
their minds; those plea∣sures
which prosperity
••ayes together with wan∣tonnesse
and pride, forth∣with
entred. Thus after
they had attained that
ease, which they wished
for in aduersity, it became
more grieuous and hurt∣full.
For the Noble-men
descriptionPage 348
began to conuert their dig∣nity,
the Common people
their liberty vnto licenci∣ousnesse.
They sway: they
force: they take by violēce.
Thus all were diuided into
two parties: the Common-wealth,
which was the
meane, was rent in sunder.
But the Nobility was most
strong in faction: the pow∣er
of the Commons be∣ing
loose and dispersed
amongst the multitude,
was of vnequall force.
By the arbitration of
some few, all affaires were
mannaged, both Ciuill,
and Military: in their
power were the Treasury,
Prouinces, Magistracies,
honours, and Triumphes,
the people were oppressed
descriptionPage 349
with warfare and pouerty:
the Generalls with a few
others, shared the spoiles
violently. In the meane
time the parents or little
children of the Souldiers,
as any of them were
neighbours to one more
mighty, were thrust out of
their habitations. Thus a∣uarice
ioyned with power,
inuaded, polluted, and
wasted all things, without
meane or modesty; hol∣ding
nothing in regard,
nor reurence, vntill it had
throwne it selfe head-long
into ruine. For as soone
as there were some found
out amongst the Nobili∣ty,
who preferred true
glory before ••ust autho∣rity:
the Citty was in tu∣mult,
descriptionPage 350
and Ciuill dissen∣tion,
as if the world had
beene in vproare, began
to arise.
For after that Tiberius,
and C. Graccus, (whose
Ancestours in the Punick
and other warres, had ad∣ded
much to the Repub∣licke,)
vindicated the
Plebeian liberty, and the
abuses of some few, be∣gan
to be manifest: the
Nobility being guilty, &
therefore fearefull, some∣times
by the Confede∣rates,
and Latine Nation,
sometimes by the Roman
Gentry, whom the hope
of the faction had remo∣ued
from the Commons,
sought to crosse the actiōs
of the Grac••hi: and first of
descriptionPage 351
all they put to the sword
Tiberius, then after some
few yeeres Ca••••s, taking
the same courses, (the one
a Tribune of the people;
the other a Triumuir, for
drawing out of Colonies)
together with 〈…〉〈…〉Flaccus▪ And verily the
minds of the Gracchi,
through the desire of vi∣ctory,
were not moderate
enough: But for a good men
better it is to bee ouercome;
then by indirect meanes to o∣uercome
an iniury.
Thereupon the Nobili∣ty,
making vse of the vi∣ctory
according to their
pleasure, ruined many
men by the sword, or ba∣nishment:
& from thence
forward they inlarged
descriptionPage 352
more their owne feare,
then their authority:
which cause hath subuer∣ted
mighty Common-wealths:
whilst some co∣uet
by what meanes soe∣uer
to vanquish others, &
ouer rigorously to exer∣cise
reuenge vpon the van∣quished.
B••t I should
vndertake to discourse
particularly, and accor∣ding
to their greatnesse▪ of
the indeauours of the fa∣ctions,
and of all the cu∣stomes
of the Citty, time
would faile mee sooner
then matter wherefore
I returne to my first pur∣pose
descriptionPage 353
CHAP. 13.
Metellus the new Consull is
sent into Africke. He re∣formes
the discipline of
the Army.
AFter the League
made by Aulus, and
the shamefull flight of our
Army, Metellus and Sila∣nus
Consuls elect, parted
Prouinces amongst them∣selues:
to Metellus Numi∣dia
befell, who being an
austere man, and withall
opposite to the faction of
the people, yet was he of
a leuell and vnblemished
credit. He, as soone as he
had tooke the inuestiture
of his Office, establishing
descriptionPage 354
all other affaires ioyntly
with his Colleague, ben∣ded
his mind wholly vpon
the warre, which he was
to mannage. Therewithall
being diffident of the old
Army, he inrolleth Soul∣diers,
and sendeth for
Aydes from all places:
he prepareth armes, wea∣pons,
horses, and other
military instrumēts: with∣all,
abundance of victuals,
and all prouisions besides,
which in a doubtfull and
penurious warre are wont
to be vsefull. Finally, for
the accomplishment of
this, the Senate with au∣thority,
the Confede∣rates,
the Latine Nation,
and Kings, with sending
succours vndemanded, the
descriptionPage 355
City with its vttermost fur∣therance
endeuoured.
Therefore all proui∣sions
being made and set∣led
according to his de∣sire,
he goes into Numi∣dia,
with much hope con∣ceiued
of him by the Ro∣man
Cittizens; as well for
his owne braue abilities, as
also for that hee carried a
minde inuincible against
riches: and through the
auarice of Magistrates, our
Forces had been formerly
defeated in Numidia, and
those of the enemies had
beene augmented.
But as soone, as he came
into Africk, the Army was
deliuer'd ouer vnto him by
S. Albinus the Procōsull, be∣ing
slothfull, vnwarlick, im∣patient
descriptionPage 356
of danger, and la∣bour,
more ready of
tongue then hand, dri∣uing
preyes from their
Alyes, and it selfe being
the enemies prey, wan∣ting
discipline, and mo∣dest
behauiour. Thus to
this new Generall, more
trouble did arise from
their euill cōditions, then
ayde or comfort from
such a number of Soul∣diers.
For all this Metellus
resolued, (although the
prorogation of the Co∣mitiall
meetings had wa∣sted
the Summer season,
and that hee coniectured
the Cittizens minds to be
wholly bent vpon the ex∣pectation
of the euent)
not first to make an assay
descriptionPage 357
of warre, before he had
inforced according to the
ancient discipline, his
men of warre to exercise
themselues.
For Albinus being terri∣fied
with the defeat of his
brother Aulus, and the Ar∣my,
after he had taken a
resolution not to goe
forth of the Prouince; for
so much of the Summer,
as belonged to his com∣mand,
he quartered his
Souldiers for the most
part in standing Camps;
except when nastinesse or
want of forrage compel∣led
him to change pla∣ces.
But watches were not
set according to the mi∣litary
custome: euery man
descriptionPage 358
as listed, absented him∣selfe
from his Colours,
the drudges of the Army
intermingled with the
Souldiers daily, & nightly
made excursions: and
wandring disorderly, wa∣sted
the fields, forced the
villages, and contending
one with another, made
boote of slaues and Cat∣tell,
which they bartered
with the marchants for
wine by them brought,
and other such like com∣modities:
besides, they
sold their ammunition
corne, and bought bread
daily: finally, whatsoeuer
blemishes proceeding frō
sloth and luxury can be
spoken of, or imagined,
were all in that Army, and
descriptionPage 359
more besides then these.
But in this difficulty I
find Metellus to haue shew∣ed
himselfe an able & wise
man, no lesse then he did in
actions of hostility; with
such temperance he car∣ried
himselfe betwixt am∣bition
and cruelty. For
by his first Edict, he bani∣shed
all the helpes of
sloth, so that no man
was to sell in the Camp
bread, or any other meate
ready dressed: the drud∣ges
were not to followe
the Army: the common
Souldier being incamped
or marching, was to haue
no slaue nor beast of car∣riage:
to other abuses by
Arte he prescribed a reme∣die.
descriptionPage 360
Besides, with crosse mar∣ches
he remoued his Cāp
euery day: no other-wise,
then if the enemies had
beene present, he fortified
it with Ditch and Ram∣pier:
he disposed the wat∣ches
often, and he him∣selfe
rounded them with
the Lieutenants. More∣ouer,
vpon a march, hee
was sometimes in person
present with the Van∣guard,
sometimes with
them of the Reare, and of∣ten
with those of the mid∣dle
ward; of purpose, that
no Souldier should stirre
out of his Order: but that
they should aduance in
one body together with
their ensignes, and carry
their owne victuals and
descriptionPage 361
Armes. Thus more by ta∣king
away the liberty of of∣fending,
then by punishing
offences, he in a short
space confirmed the Ar∣my.
In the meane time, Iu∣gurth,
as soone as he vnder∣stood
by his Intelligencers
of Metellus proceedings;
and withall being certi∣fied
from Rome of his in∣tegrity,
grew distrustfull
of his owne estate, and
then at length laboured to
make a reall surrender.
Thereupon he sends Am∣bassadours
to the Con∣sull
by way of petition,
who should request one∣ly
life for himselfe and
his children, all other
things they should submit
descriptionPage 362
vp to the Romane peo∣ple.
But by former experi∣ments,
it was well known
to Metellus, that the Nu∣midian
Nation was faith∣lesse,
inconstant, and de∣sirous
of innouation.
Therefore he visiteth the
Ambassadours seuerally,
one by one: and sounding
them by degrees, after he
knew they were fit for his
turne, hee perswadeth
them by many promises
to deliuer aboue all things
Iugurth aliue, or at least∣wise
slaine, into his hands:
but in publicke, those
things which he thought
fitting hee commandeth
them to report to the
King.
descriptionPage 363
CHAP. 14.
Metellus marcheth into
Numidia. He surpriseth
Vacca. Hee sendeth Am∣bassadours
to treate of
peace.
VPon this, he himselfe
within some few
dayes after, marched in∣to
Numidia with a well
appointed and spleenefull
Army: where contrary to
the apparance of warre,
the Cottages were full of
Inhabitants: Cattell and
Husband-men were fre∣quent
in the fields: out of
the townes, and Country
houses, the Kings Officers
came forth to meet him:
descriptionPage 364
being ready to puruey
Corne, to bring victuals,
and finally, to doe what∣soeuer
they were com∣manded.
Neuerthelesse,
Metellus, no otherwise
then if the enemy had bin
present, aduanceth with
his Army strongly guar∣ded,
he discouereth all
places farre and nigh, he
beleeueth those shewes of
surrender to be ostenta∣tiue,
and deuised to be∣tray
him.
Therefore he himselfe
with the light-armed Co∣horts,
and a selected com∣pany
of Slingers, and Ar∣chers,
marched in the
head of the Vanguard:
in the Reare C. Martus his
Lieutenāt had the charge
descriptionPage 365
with the Cauallery: vpon
both flankes he distribu∣ted
the auxiliary Horse-men,
to the Tribunes of
Legions, and the Cap∣taines
of Cohorts: pur∣posely,
that the skirmi∣shers
being mixt with
these, wheresoeuer they
aduanced, they might
repulse the Enemies
Horsemen: for in Iugurth
there was so much cun∣ning,
and such exact
knowledge of places and
souldiery, that whether he
were more dangerous ab∣sent,
or present, whether
mannaging war or peace, it
was held a thing doubtfull.
Seated there was not
far from the way, where
Metellus iourneyed, a town
descriptionPage 366
of the Numidians, na∣med
Vacca: the most fa∣mous
Marte of all the
Kingdome for commo∣dities,
which were to bee
sold, whereas many of
the Italian Nation were
wont both to inhabite &
trade. Here the Consull
as well for tryals sake, as
also for that the accom∣modations
of the place
would well beare it, im∣posed
a Garrison: besides,
he gaue orders for the im∣porting
of graine, and
other prouisions vsefull
in warre: supposing that
which the occasiō did pre∣monish,
that the conflu∣ence
of marchants and vi∣ctuals
would be a meanes
to releeue his Army, and
descriptionPage 367
that now being prouided
of things necessary, it
would serue for a place of
defence.
During these occur∣rences,
Iugurth in a more
serious manner sendeth
his suppliant Ambassa∣dours,
to intreate for
peace: besides his owne
and his childrens life, he
submitteth all things else
to Metellus: whom temp∣ted
alike, as the former,
to disloyalty, the Consull
dismissed: the peace, which
the King requested, hee
neither denyed nor gran∣ted;
and betweene these
delayes hee expected the
issue of the Ambassadours
promises.
Iugurth, as soone as hee
descriptionPage 368
ballanced Metellus words
and deedes together, and
saw himselfe assayled with
his owne sleights; as vnto
whom a peace was verball,
and promised, but indeed a
most cruell warre was
meant: a great Citty be∣ing
alienated; the Coun∣try
discouered by the ene∣mies,
and the affections
of his Confederates soun∣ded:
hee resolued to try
his fortune by Armes, be∣ing
inforced thereunto,
through the necessity of
his affaires.
Thereupon the enemies
passage being discouered,
he growing hopefull from
the opportunity of the
place, raiseth as great
Forces, as he could, of all
descriptionPage 369
sortes, and through vn∣known
bywayes ouermar∣ched
Metellus Army.
CHAP. 15.
Iugurth incampeth in a place
of aduantage. His Army is
discouered by Metellus.
A battell is fought betwixt
them, wherein Iugurth
is defeated.
THere was in that part
of Numidia, which
Iugurth possessed vpon the
diuision, a riuer arising
from the South, named
Muthul: from which there
was distant a mountaine
almost twenty thousand
paces, of equall tract, ly∣ing
descriptionPage 370
wast by nature, and for
want of human tillage. But
as it were from the mid∣dest
of this a hillocke did
arise, of a spacious extent,
being couered with Oliue,
Mirtles, and other kinds of
Trees, which grow in drie
and sandy ground. But
the plaine seated in the
middest was barren, ex∣cept
the places bordering
on the Riuer. These being
beset with Groues of
Trees, were frequented
with Husbandmen and
Cattell.
Therefore on that hil∣locke,
which we haue said
to bee thwart-wise exten∣ded,
Iugurth sate downe,
the Fore-front of his Ar∣my
being extinuated; the
descriptionPage 371
command ouer the Ele∣phants
and some part of
the footmen, he gaue to Bo∣milear,
and instructeth him,
what he should doe: hee
himselfe neerer to the
mountaine, marshalleth
his owne Troupes, with all
the Cauallery and selected
Footemen. Then rounding
seuerally all the squadrons
and Maniples, he doth ad∣monish
and coniure them,
that being mindfull of
their former valour and
victory, they would de∣fend
himselfe, and his
Kingdome from the aua∣rice
of the Romanes: that
they should fight with
those, whom they had
formerly dismissed vnder
the yoke: that their Chief∣taine,
descriptionPage 372
not their courage
was changed: all things,
which might be required
of a Generall, were ••ore∣••••lled
to their aduantage:
they had the higher groūd,
that being expert, they
might fight with the vn∣skilfull;
not the fewer with
the more, nor vntrained
with the better Souldiers.
Wherefore they should
be prepared and resolute,
vpon a signall giuen, to
inuade the Romanes. That
either that day should con∣fi••me
all their labours, &
victories, or be the begin∣ning
of their greatest cala∣mities.
Besides, man by man, as
he had aduanced any for
some military exploit in
descriptionPage 373
meanes or honour, he puts
them in mind of his boun∣ty,
and in a brauery shews
them to others: finally, ac∣cording
to euery mans
disposition, by promising,
menacing, and prote∣sting,
he doth encourage
them seuerally after a se∣uerall
manner: when in
the meane time Metellus,
ignorant of the enemies,
as he descended from the
mountaine, viewed them
with his Army. At first he
was doubtfull, what this
vncouth shew did meane:
(for amongst the vnder∣woods,
the Numidians
and their horses had sea∣ted
themselues; neither
fully hid through the low∣nesse
of the trees, and yet
descriptionPage 374
vncertaine what they
might bee: since out of
cunning, and the situa∣tion
of the place, them∣selues
and their military
Ensignes were shadow∣ed:)
then the Stratagem
being forthwith discoue∣red,
the Army in mar∣ching
made a stand for a
while.
There the orders being
altred, in the right flanke
which was neerest the ene∣my,
he arangeth the Ar∣my
with three Aydes of
reserue▪ betweene the
Maniples hee distributeth
the Slingers, and Ar∣chers:
all the Horse-men
he placeth in the wings:
and hauing incouraged
his Souldiers briefly for
descriptionPage 375
the season, hee drawes
downe his Army, as hee
had imbattailed it, into the
plaine, the frount of the
middle-ward being crosse∣wise
changed.
But when he perceiued
the Numidians not to stir,
nor to descend from the
mountaine; fearing from
the season of the yeere, &
scarcity of water, that his
Army would bee consu∣med
with thirst, hee sent
before vnto the riuer Ru∣tilius
one of his Lieute∣nants,
with the light-ar∣med
Cohorts, and a part
of the Cauallery, to anti∣cipat••
a place for incam∣ping:
thinking that the
enemies, with frequent
charging, and crosse∣fights
descriptionPage 376
would retard his
passage: and because they
reposed no trust in their
Armes, would take ad∣uantage
of the Souldiers
thirst and wearinesse.
Then he himselfe, as the
occasion and place requi∣red,
in that order as hee
descēded from the moun∣taine,
marcheth forwards
by little and little: Ma∣rius
was behind the mid∣dle-ward:
the Consull
himselfe was with the
Horse-men of the left
wing, who vpon the
march made the maine
battell.
But Iugurth, as soone as
he saw, that those who
had the Van of his Van∣guard,
had ouer-reached
descriptionPage 377
the bringers vp of Metel∣lus
Reare, with a Guarde
of about 2000. Footmen,
hee possesseth the moun∣taine
where Metellus made
his descent: lest perchance
the enemies falling backe,
it might serue them for a
retreat, and after for a de∣fence.
Then suddēly, vpon a
signall giuen, he chargeth
the enemies. Some of the
Numidians kill the hin∣der-most:
others assa••le
the right and left flanke:
in furious manner they
present themselues, and
presse forward in all
places: they disordered the
Rankes of the Romanes.
Of whom those who with
most resolution had in∣countred
the enemies, be∣ing
descriptionPage 378
deluded by this doubt∣full
kind of fight, were thē∣selues
somtimes wounded
from a far: neither had they
meanes to strike againe,
nor to ioyne in hand-fight.
Before this the Horse-men
being instructed by
Iugurth, wheresoeuer a
Troupe of Romanes be∣gan
to chace, retired not
closely nor in one grosse,
but in as much distance as
they could one from ano∣ther.
Thus being superiour
in nūber, if they could not
deterre the enemies from
pursuing, they incōpassed
them, being dispersed ei∣ther
from behind, or from
the flankes. But if the hil∣locke
were more oppor∣tune
for flight then the
descriptionPage 379
fields, thither the horses
of the Numidians vsed vn∣to
it, easily passed through
the vnder-woods. Our
men the roughnesse and
the ignorance of the place
detained.
But the face of all this
conflict was various, vn∣certaine,
foule and lamen∣table:
some being scatte∣red
from their fellowes re∣tire:
others pursue: neither
rankes, nor ensignes they
obserue: wheresoeuer the
danger attached any man,
there he resisteth and put∣teth
it off: armes, wea∣pons,
horses, men, ene∣mies,
and Cittizens, were
blended together; no∣thing
was done by coun∣sell,
nor command: for∣tune
descriptionPage 380
swayed all. Therefore
most of the day was spent,
when then, yea euen then
the euent was doubtfull.
At length all men fain∣ting
with toyle and heate,
Metellus, when he saw the
Numidians come on
more coldly, he rallieth by
degrees his Souldiers in∣to
one body: he restoreth
the Rankes, and opposeth
foure legionary Cohorts
vnto the enemies Foote∣bands.
O them, a great
part being weary, re∣sted
themselues on the
higher grounds. Hee in∣treateth,
and exhorteth
his Souldiers together,
that they would not faint,
nor suffer these flying ene∣mies
to ouercome: that
descriptionPage 381
they had neither Camp,
nor any fortification,
whither retiring they
might betake themselues:
all the hopes they had lay
in their Armes.
But neither was Iugurth
in the meane time out of
action: he circu••teth, con∣firmeth,
reneweth the bat∣tell,
and himselfe with
some chosen men tryeth
all things to the vtter∣most:
he succoureth his
owne side, chargeth the
wauering enemies, by
fighting a farre off he in∣gageth
their stay, whom
he knew to stand firme.
After this manner two
Generals, men most ex∣cellent,
contended one
with another: themselues
descriptionPage 382
being equall, but their
helpes vnequall. For Me∣tellus
was aduantaged by
his Souldiers valour, the
place was disaduanta∣geous:
to Iugurth all other
things, but Souldiers, ser∣ued
opportunely. Finally,
the Romanes, when they
vnderstood, that they had
no place of refuge, and
that the enemy disingaged
himselfe from fight; and
that now the euening was
come, fell off, as they were
commanded, from the
opposite hillocke. The
place of battell being lost,
the Numidians were row∣ted
and chased: some few
were slaine: the most part
swiftnesse, and a Country
vndiscouered of their ene∣mies,
descriptionPage 383
preserued from dan∣ger.
In the intercourse of
this, Bomilcar, (whom we
haue heretofore said to
haue beene by Iugurth ap∣pointed
Commander ouer
the Elephants, and part
of the Foot-bands,) as
soone as Metellus had o∣uer-reached
him, hee
drawes out his men by
little and little into a
peece of euen ground;
and whilest the Lieute∣nant
hastening, marcheth
to the riuer, whither hee
was fore-sent, with∣out
tumult, as the occa∣sion
required, hee imbat∣taileth
his Army: neither
is he slacke to discouer,
what the enemies should
descriptionPage 384
attempt any where.
After he was aduertised,
that Rutilius was sat down,
and that now hee was se∣cure
in mind; withall, that
the noise increased from
Iugurths fight; fearing lest
the Lieutenant, the cause
being knowne, should
aide his distressed friends,
he extendeth his Army
with a larger Frount,
which, distrusting the va∣lour
of his Souldiers, hee
had skilfully disposed, for
the impeaching of the
enemies passage; and in
this order hee aduanceth
towards Rutilius Camp.
The Romanes on the sud∣den
obserue a great rising
of dust: For the field be∣ing
beset with Coppises,
descriptionPage 385
did forbid all prospect,
and at first they coniectu∣red
that the sand was stir∣red
with the wind: after,
when they saw that it con∣tinued
alike & as the Army
moued, approached nee∣rer:
the occasion being
discouered, in haste they
take Armes, and as they
were commanded, stand
fast before the Campe.
Then as soone as they
came within conuenient
distance, with hideous
noise they incountred one
another.
The Numidians stayed
so long whilst they expe∣cted
aide from their Ele∣phants:
after they sawe
them intangled with the
boughes of the trees, and
descriptionPage 386
being thus disordered to
fetch a compasse about,
they betake themselues
to flight: and casting away
their Armes, for the most
part got-off in safety,
through the fauour of the
hillocke, and the night,
which was now at hand.
Foure Elephants were ta∣ken,
all the rest, in num∣ber
forty, were slaine.
But the Romanes, al∣though
they were faint
and weary, through their
iourney, the pitching of
their Tentes, and the bat∣tell,
yet for that Metellus
stayed longer then opi∣nion,
being well ordered,
and resolued, they march
forwards to meete him.
For the wilinesse of the
descriptionPage 387
Numidians suffred no de∣lay,
nor slackenesse. And
first the night being darke,
after they were come with∣in
neere distance, with
the noise, as if it had been
of enemies comming on,
they raised both feare and
tumult amongst them∣selues:
and through igno∣rance
a lamētable fact was
like to haue bin cōmitted,
except the Vantcurrours
sent out from both sides,
had discouered the mat∣ter.
Thereupon in stead of
feare, gladnesse arose: the
Souldiers reioycing call
one another to witnesse:
they relate, and heare
their exploits: euery man
extolleth his owne valiant
actes, euen to the skies.
descriptionPage 388
Truly this is the condition of
humane affaires: it is lawfull
for cowards to boast in a vi∣ctory:
moreouer losses detract
from the valiant.
Metellus staying foure
dayes in the same Camp,
he causeth the wounded
to be carefully dressed; he
rewardeth them, who had
well deserued in the bat∣tell,
according to the mi∣litary
custome: hee prai∣seth,
and thanketh them
all in a publicke assem∣bly:
he exhorteth them,
that as for the rest, which
would bee feasable with
ease, they should carry
the same resolution, for
the victory they had al∣ready
fought enough,
their other labours
descriptionPage 389
should bee for pillage.
CHAP. 16.
Metellus sendeth out espials
to discouer Iugurths do∣ings.
The Numidians fall
vpon some Romane strag∣lers,
and beate them.
The alarum being taken,
they retire to the higher
grounds.
FOr all this, the Con∣sull
in the meane
while sent fugitiues, and
others fit for the purpose,
to espie, where Iugurth
was, and what he did,
whether he had few about
him, or a full Army, and
how he behaued himselfe
descriptionPage 390
being vanquished. But he
was retired into places full
of woods, and fortified
by nature; where he rai∣sed
an Army, e••ceeding
th•• first in number of men,
but vnactiue and weake,
better acquainted with
the affaires of husbandry,
then warre. That happe∣ned
through this priui∣ledge:
for that no Numi∣dian
at all followes the
King in his flight, except
the Horse-men Royall.
Whither euery mans
mind leadeth, thither he
departeth: neither is that
accounted a Souldiers
fault: such there customes
are.
Wherefore Metellus,
when hee saw the King as
descriptionPage 391
yet to haue an vndanted
mind: that the warre was
renewed, which could
not be prosecuted, but at
the others pleasure; be∣sides,
that he was disaduan∣taged
in fight by the ene∣mies:
they being vanqui∣shed
with lesse dammage,
then his men did van∣quish;
hee determineth
with himselfe, that the
warre was not to be man∣naged
by set battels, nor
an aranged Army, but by
a different course. There∣upon
hee goeth vnto the
most opulent Countries
of Numidia: hee wasteth
the fields: he taketh, and
burneth many Townes
and Castles, being mean∣ly
fortified, or without
descriptionPage 392
Garrisons: he cōmandeth
those of military age to be
slaine; al other things were
to be the Souldiers pray.
Through the terrour
of this, many hostages
were giuen to the Ro∣manes;
Corne and other
vsefull prouisions were
supplyed in abundance:
wheresoeuer occasion re∣quired,
a Garrison was
imposed: which occur∣rences
much more terri∣fied
the King, then the
battell vnluckily fought
by his Souldiers. For be∣cause
he, all whose hope
consisted in flight, was
compelled to pursue: and
he, that was vnable to de∣fend
his owne, was faine
to make warre in anothers
descriptionPage 393
territories. yet from his
present distresse he taketh
that counsell, which see∣med
best: hee comman∣deth
the greatest part of
his Army, to expect him
in the same Quarters: he
himselfe with some choice
Horse-men followeth Me∣tellus:
thus being vndisco∣uered
in his nocturnall &
by-way iourneis, he assai∣leth
on the sudden the Ro∣mane
straglers. Most of
them are slaine vnarmed:
many are taken prisoners:
not one of them all escap∣eth
without hurt: and the
Numidians, before they
could be releeued from the
Campe, departed to the
next hillockes, according
as they had orders.
descriptionPage 394
In the meane time
much ioy was conceiued
at Rome vpon the know∣ledge
of Metellus procee∣dings:
as for that he go∣uerned
himselfe and his
Army according to the
discipline of their Ance∣stours:
that in a place of
disaduantage he had van∣quished
by meere valour;
that he possessed the ene∣mies
Country: that Iugurth
bearing himselfe proudly
vpon Aulus negligence,
he had constrained him
to repose the hope of
his safety in flight, or in
the desarts. Thereupon the
Senate, for these things
happily done, decreed
supplications to the im∣mortall
gods. The Citty
descriptionPage 395
trembling before, as be∣ing
doubtfull of the euent
of the warre, now sola∣ced
her selfe with ioy. Of
Metellus an honorable re∣port
was spred.
Thereupon by so much
the more eagerly he stri∣ueth
for victory, making
all possible speed in the
pursuite thereof: yet be∣ing
cautelous from giuing
any opportunity to the
enemy; he well knew that
enuy attended on glory:
thus by how much the
more he was renowned,
by so much was hee the
more carefull: neither af∣ter
this stratagem of Iu∣gurths,
did hee pillage any
more with his Army dis∣banded.
When it was
descriptionPage 396
needfull to prouide corne
or forrage, the Cohorts
with the Cauallery made
a standing-guard. He him∣selfe
commanded one part
of the Army, Marius the
other. But more with fire,
then driuing of preyes
was the Country wasted.
In two seuerall places not
farre remote, they did in∣camp
themselues: when it
was requisite to vse force,
they ioyned all their for∣ces:
but for the further
dispersing of feare and
flight, they tooke vp their
Quarters apart from one
another.
As then Iugurth follow∣ed
aloofe ouer the hil∣lockes,
seeking a conue∣nient
time, or place for
descriptionPage 397
fight: where hee heard,
that the enemy approach∣ed,
hee spoileth the for∣rage
and Fountaines, of
both which there was
much scarcity: sometimes
he sheweth himselfe to
Metellus, sometimes to
Marius: he assaileth those
who had the Reare in mar∣ching,
and forthwith reti∣reth
to the mountaines:
againe he menaceth them
one after another; he nei∣ther
ingageth fight, nor
suffereth them to rest: hee
onely attacheth the Ene∣mie
in his course of pro∣ceeding.
The Romane Generall,
when he saw himselfe wea∣ried
with these wiles, and
that the enemies debarred
descriptionPage 398
him from the opportunity
of fighting, he resolueth
to beleaguer Zama▪ a great
City, and in that part,
where it was seated, one
of the bulwarkes of the
Kingdome: thinking that
Iugurth, as the occasion re∣quired,
would come to
releeue his people, being
in distresse, and so a bat∣tell
would be fought. But
he being informed of this
by Fugitiues, with great
iournies ouer marcheth
Metellus, he exhorteth the
Cittizens to defend the
walles, the fugitiues being
added for aydes; which
kind of men amongst all
the Kings Forces stood
most firme vnto him; be∣cause
they had not credit
descriptionPage 399
enough to deceiue. More∣ouer
he promiseth, that
he himselfe would come
to their succours in time
conuenient.
Things being thus or∣dered,
he departeth into
places most couert, and
within a while after get∣teth
intelligence, that Ma∣rius
was sent out of the v∣suall
roade vnto Sicca,
to puruey corne with
some few Cohorrs. Which
towne first of all, after the
battell lost, reuolted from
the King. Thither with
some selected Horse-men
he marcheth by night;
and the Romans being vp∣on
the point of issuing, he
chargeth them in the very
gate: withall he exhorteth
descriptionPage 400
those of Sicca alowd, to in∣compasse
the Cohorts be∣hind:
that fortune gaue
them the opportunity of a
braue exploite: if they
should performe it, that
hereafter hee should du∣ring
life be secured in his
Kingdome, they in their
liberty. And except
Marius had with haste
made the Ensignes to
march, and to passe out
of the Towne, surely all, or
the greatest part of the In∣habitants
had turned re∣uolters.
With such incon∣stancy
the Numidians de∣meane
themselues.
But the Iugurthine Soul∣diers
being somewhat
comforted by the King; af∣ter
when their enemies
descriptionPage 401
pressed them more forci∣bly.
Some few being lost,
the rest saued themselues
by flight.
CHAP. 16.
Marius comming to Zama,
Metellus inuesteth it
round about with both their
Forces, but is in fine repul∣sed
after two assaults.
MArius arriueth at
Zama. That Towne
is seated in a Champion
field, it was more forti∣fied
by art then nature,
wanting no prouisions re∣quisite,
being well furni∣shed
with Armes and
Souldiers. Vpon this, Me∣tellus,
descriptionPage 402
all preparations be∣ing
made, befitting the
time and place, inuested
the walls round with his
Army; hee command∣eth
the Lieutenants
where each man should
take charge. Then vp∣on
a signall giuen, at
once from all parts ariseth
a hideous noise. Neither
doth this terrifie the Nu∣midians:
without tumult
they remaine angry and
ready: the fight is begun.
The Romanes (euery one
according to his inclina∣tion)
fight some with
Leaden plummets and
stones missiuely cast:
some giue backe, others
fall on; and now they sap
the wall, then againe they
descriptionPage 403
make an attempt by Scala∣do,
being desirous to
come to hand-fight. To
encounter this, the
Townesmen tumble down
great stones vpon the nee∣rest,
they throwe Speares,
Dartes, and withall bur∣ning
Torches, with Pitch,
and Brimstone.
But not those whose
stations were furthest off,
the cowardice of minde
defended sufficiently: for
most of them were woun∣ded
with Iauelins dischar∣ged
from Engines or the
hand. And in like danger,
but vnlike renowne, both
the valiant and cowards
were.
Whilst they fight thus
at Zama, Iugurth suddain∣ly
descriptionPage 404
assaileth with great
numbers the Camp of his
enemies; they being slacke
in their duties, who had
the guard, and expecting
nothing lesse then fight,
he violently forceth one
of the Portes. But our
men being terrified with
the sudden fright, all of
them prouide for them∣selues,
according to their
seuerall dispositions: some
fly, others arme: a great
number are wounded or
slaine: So that of all that
multitude, not aboue
forty mindfull of the Ro∣mane
name, trouping to∣gether
surprized a peece
of ground, somewhat
higher then the other:
neither could they be re∣moued
descriptionPage 405
thence with their
greatest forces, but the
weapons missiuely sent,
they send backe againe; few
against many, lesse missing
their aimes. But if the Nu∣midians
approached nee∣rer,
there truely they
shewed their valour, and
with mighty strength they
beate, route, and
chase.
In the meane time Me∣tellus,
whilest eagerly hee
prosecuteth the assault,
heard from behind a cry,
and tumult of enemies:
then turning about his
horse, he obserued that
the flight made towards
him; which shewed, that
it was of his owne people.
Thereupon hee sendeth
descriptionPage 406
speedily all the Cauallery
vnto the Camp, and forth∣with
after C. Marius with
the Cohorts of the Con∣federates:
and weeping,
he coniureth him by his
friendship, and by the
Common wealth, that he
would suffer no disgrace
to be fastened vpon his vi∣ctorious
Army, nor the
enemies to depart vnre∣uenged.
He brie••ly execu∣tefh
his orders. But Iugurth
was hindred with the for∣tifications
of the Camp,
when as some threw them∣selues
head-long ouer the
Rampier, others making
hast arrested one another
in the narrow passage. Me∣tellus,
the businesse being
vneffected, when night
descriptionPage 407
was come, returned into
the Camp with his Ar∣my.
Therefore the next day,
before he issued out to the
assault; he commandeth
all the Cauallery, to at∣tend
before the Camp,
on that part, where the
Kings aduenue was: the
Ports and the places next
adioyning, he distribu∣teth
to the Tribunes: then
he himselfe marcheth to
the towne, and as on the
former day, assaulteth the
wall. In the meane while
Iugurth out of couert sud∣denly
inuadeth our men.
Those who were aranged
in the fore-frount, being
somewhat terrified are dis∣ordered:
the residue quick∣ly
descriptionPage 408
come to their succours.
Neither could the Numi∣dians
haue longer resisted,
but that their footmen in∣termingled
with their
horse-men had made a
great slaughter vpon the
first incounter: on whom
they relying, did not, as
it is vsuall in a battell of
horse-men, fall on, and
then wheele about, but
they charged with
their horses, meeting
brest to brest, they en∣tred,
and broke the frount
of our Army: so making
vse of their ready foot∣men,
they held the ene∣mies
for almost vanqui∣shed.
In the intercourse of
this, they fought at Zama
descriptionPage 409
with great violence;
where any Lieutenant of
a Legion, or Tribune
had charge, there they
stroue with most courage:
neither had any man more
hope in anothers helpe,
then in him selfe. The
like the Townes-men did:
they fought or were ready
for it in all places: more
eagerly they wounded
one another, then guar∣ded
themselues. The noise
was confounded with in∣couraging,
gladnesse and
groaning: besides the
clashing of Armes pier∣ceth
the heauens: Missiue
weapons fly from both
sides. But those who de∣fended
the walls, when
the enemies slackned the
descriptionPage 410
fight, intentiuely beheld
the horse-battell. Then, as
any of Iugurths actions pro∣ceed,
you might obserue
them to be somtimes mer∣ry,
sometimes fearefull: and
as they could be heard, or
seene of their fellowes,
some of them admonish:
others incourage, or signi∣fie
with their hands, or
bend with their bodies.
Hither and thither they
moue, as they were flying,
or discharging weapons.
Which as soone as Ma∣rius
knew (for hee com∣manded
in that part) hee
proceedeth more slacke∣ly,
then it was decreed;
& counterfeiteth a distrust
of the businesse: hee suf∣freth
the Numidians with∣out
descriptionPage 411
tumult to view the
Kings battell: thus they
being fixt vpon the care of
their owne side, on the
sudden he assaulteth the
wall most forcibly: and
now the Souldiers quit∣ting
their scaling ladders,
had almost surprized the
battlements, when as the
Townesmen troope toge∣ther:
they powre downe
stones, fire, and other
missiue weapons besides.
Our men at first make re∣sistance:
after when one,
and then others of their
ladders were broken:
and those who stood vpon
them were thrown down:
the rest in the best manner
they could, fewe being
vnhurt, the greatest part
descriptionPage 412
wounded, make their es∣cape.
At length night par∣ted
the fight on both
sides.
Metellus, when hee
saw that the enterprise
wts frustrated: that nei∣ther
the Towne was ta∣ken,
nor that Iugurth inga∣ged
fight, except it were
out of ambush, or places
by him chosen; and that
now the Summer was
spent, he departeth from
Zama, and in those Cit∣ties,
which had reuolted
from him, and were suf∣ficiently
fortified with
walls or situation, hee
placeth Garrisons. The
remainder of his Army,
he disposeth in the Pro∣uince
next to Numidia,
descriptionPage 413
in regard of wintring
there. Neither doth hee
afford that time, as o∣thers
were wont, to rest
and riot, but because the
warre had but meane pro∣ceeding
by Armes, he lay∣eth
snares for the King
by his friends, and resol∣ueth
to vse their perfidi∣ousnesse
for Armes.
Therefore with many
promises he assaieth Bo∣milcar
who had beene at
Rome, and secretly baile
being giuen, had escaped
Iudgement for killing
Massiua; because that hee
by meanes of his neerest
friendshippe had the best
meanes of deceiuing: and
first he wrought, that hee
should come to him in se∣cret
descriptionPage 414
vnder the colour of
conference: then by gi∣uing
his faith, that if hee
deliuered Iugurth aliue or
slaine, he should be assu∣red,
the Senate would
grant him impunity, and
whatsoeuer was his owne,
he easily perswadeth the
Numidian, being as well
of a faithlesse disposition,
as also fearefull, that if
peace were made with
the Romanes, he vpon
the conditions should be
deliuered ouer to punish∣ment.
He, as soone as the
first opportunity serued,
visiteth Iugurth, being per∣plexed,
and bewailing his
fortunes: he doth admo∣nish,
and with teares con∣iure
him, that at length
descriptionPage 415
he would prouide for him∣selfe,
his children, and
the Numidian people,
which had best deserued:
in all conflicts they had
beene foiled, the Coun∣try
was wasted, many men
were taken and slaine,
the strength of the King∣dome
was exhausted:
enough oftentimes had
they tried already for∣tune,
and the Souldiers
valour: he should beware,
lest himselfe protracting
time, the Numidians se∣cured
themselues. With
these, and other such like
speeches, he moued the
King to resolue vpon yeel∣ding.
descriptionPage 416
CHAP. 17.
Iugurth sendeth Ambassa∣dours
to Metellus. Hee
yeeldeth himselfe and his
Kingdome to the Romane
people Afterwards he re∣retracteth.
A description
of Marius.
AMbassadours are
sent to the Generall,
who should declare that
Iugurth would performe
his commands, and with∣out
any composition
would surrender himselfe
and his Kingdome vnto
his trust. Metellus speedily
commandeth all those of
the Senatorian degree▪ to
be sent for, out of their
descriptionPage 417
wintring places: of them,
and others, whom hee
thought fit, hee assem∣bleth
a Councell. Thus ac∣cording
to the custome of
their Ancestours, by the
Decree of the Councell,
he demandeth from Iu∣gurth
by his Ambassa∣dours,
two hundred thou∣sand
pounds of siluer,
all his Elephants, and a
proportion of Horses and
Armes. Which being ac∣complished
without de∣lay,
he appointed them to
bring all their fugitiues
bound; a great part of
them were brought accor∣ding
to appointment:
some few, as soone as the
surrender was made, es∣caped
vnto King Bocchus
descriptionPage 418
into Mauritania. There∣vpon
Iugurth being dispoi∣led
of Armes, men, and
money, when as he him∣selfe
was summoned to
lay his command vpon
Tisidium, he againe be∣gan
to change his resolu∣tion,
and from a guilty
conscience to feare deser∣ued
punishment: finally
many dayes being spent in
doubts, when as now
thorugh the irkesomnesse
of his aduersity all things
seemed better then warre:
then againe when he pon∣dered
with himselfe, how
grieuous a downefall it
would be from a Kingdom
into seruitude; many and
great aides being lost, to
no purpose, he reneweth
descriptionPage 419
the warre againe: and at
Rome the Senate, sitting
in councell about the Pro∣uinces,
decreed Numidia
to Metellus.
At the same time C. Ma∣rius
casually at Vtica sacri∣ficing
to the gods with
slaine beasts, the Diuiner
told him, that great and
wonderfull things were
portended: wherefore tru∣sting
on the gods, hee
should execute his de∣signes:
that hee should
haue a frequent triall of
fortune: that all things
would fall out prospe∣rously.
But him formerly a
mighty desire of getting
the Co••s••l••hip had pos∣sessed:
for the procuring
descriptionPage 420
whereof, setting aside the
antiquity of his house, all
other helpes serued a∣boundantly,
as industry,
honesty, much knowledge
in Souldery, a mind gree∣dy
of warre, frugall at
home, victorious ouer lust
and wealth, onely coue∣tous
of glory. But he be∣ing
borne and fostred du∣ring
his child-hood at Ar∣pinum,
as soone as he was
of military age, he exerci∣sed
himselfe in imploy∣ment
for a Souldiers pay,
not in Grecian eloquence,
nor neatnesse of the Citty.
Thus amidst these good
Artes his mind being vn∣corrupted,
grew to ma∣turity,
in a short time.
Therefore when first
descriptionPage 421
he requested a Tribune∣ship
of the people, he be∣ing
to most men vnknown
by face, otherwise well
knowne, was proclai∣med
throughout all the
Tribes. Then from that
Magistracy, he acquired
others by degrees; and
alwayes in authority hee
carried himselfe after that
māner that he shewed him∣selfe
worthy of a more am∣ple
one, then that which he
exercised. Yet hee being
such a man in that eminen∣cy
of place (for afterwards
he was precipitated by
ambition) durst not sue
for the Consulship. Euen
then the Commonalty
gaue other Magistracies;
the Nobility disposed the
descriptionPage 422
Consulship successiuely
amongst themselues. No
new man was so illustrious
nor commendable for his
deeds, but he was held
vnworthy of that honour,
and was as it were disho∣nested.
Thereupon, when Ma∣rius
perceiued, that the
Diuiners speeches tended
thither, where his ambi∣tious
mind did inuite him,
he demandeth a licence to
depart from Metellus in
regard of his suite: who
although hee had an a∣boundant
stocke of ver∣tue,
glory, and other
things to be wished for of
good men, yet there har∣boured
within him, a con∣temptuous
mind, and
descriptionPage 423
haughtinesse of spirit, a
fault common amongst
the Nobility. Wherfore he
at first being moued with
the strangnesse of the mat∣ter,
wōdred at his purpose,
and as by way of friend∣ship,
doth admonish, that
he would not vndertake
such vncouncellable cour∣ses,
nor carry a mind
higher then his fortune:
that all things were not
to be desired of all men:
his present estate ought to
content him sufficiently:
finally he should beware
to request that of the peo∣ple
of Rome, which might
in right be denyed him.
After he had deliuered
these and such like words,
and Marius resolution was
descriptionPage 424
not altered, he giues this
answer, that as soone as
the publicke imploymēts
would giue him leaue, he
would doe that which he
requested. And vnto him
being oftentimes impor∣tunate
in the same suite, it
is reported he should say,
that soone enough he with
his sonne might sue for
the Consulship. Hee as
then was a Souldier there
in his fathers retinue, be∣ing
about twenty yeeres
of age. Which occasion
inflamed Marius; both for
the honour which he affe∣cted,
as also against Me∣tellus
himselfe. Thus he ra∣ged
through greedinesse
and anger, two of the
worst counsellers, neither
descriptionPage 425
abstained hee from any
speech or action, which
might sauour of ambition:
the Souldiers, whom hee
commanded in the win∣tring
Garrisons, he vsed
with a more gentle com∣mand,
then before hee
had done: to the Mar∣chants,
of whom there
was a great multitude at
Vtica, hee spoke reproch∣fully,
and boastingly of
the warre: that should the
moity of the Army bee
granted to him, in a few
dayes he would haue Iu∣gurth
bound in chaines:
that the Generall pro∣tracted
of purpose, for
that being a vaine man,
and of a kingly pride, he
delighted too much in
descriptionPage 426
command: all which im∣putations
seemed to them
the more firme, because
through the continuance
of the warre they had wa∣sted
their priuate for∣tunes;
and to a mind full of
desire nothing proceedeth with
speed enough.
Moreouer there was in
our Army a certaine Nu∣midian,
Gauda by name,
the sonne of Mastanabal,
the nephew of Masinissa,
whom Micipsa by testa∣ment
had made his second
heire, a man spent with
diseases, and by that
meanes somewhat crazed
in mind. To whom peti∣tioning,
that after the
manner of Kings, hee
might place his chaire
descriptionPage 427
equally with him, and
then, that for his Guard
he might haue a Troupe
of Roman Gentlemen,
Metellus had denyed both:
the honour, because it was
proper to them, whom the
people of Rome intituled
Kings: the Guarde, for
that it would bee disho∣nourable
to them, if Ro∣man
Gentlemen should be
attendants on a Numidi∣an.
Him being disquieted
Marius visiteth, and per∣swadeth,
that hee would
seeke to reuenge these
disgraces vpon the Gene∣rall
by his assistance. The
man being scarce sound
in mind by reason of his
diseases, he extolleth him
with this fauourable
descriptionPage 428
speech: that hee was a
King, a great man, that
he was to enjoy forthwith
the Kingdome of Numi∣dia:
this would so much
the sooner come to passe,
if he himselfe might bee
sent Consull to this
warre.
Therefore both him,
and the Romane Gentle∣men,
both Souldiers and
Marchants, some he him∣selfe,
others the hope of
peace procured, that they
wrote to their friends at
Rome vnworthily of Me∣tellus
concerning the war,
that Marius they required
for Generall. Thus for
him the Consulship was
sued for by many men,
with a most honest suffra∣gation.
descriptionPage 429
Besides the Com∣monalty
at that time, the
Nobility being ouer∣throwne
by the Mamilian
Law, aduanced new men.
Thus with Marius all
things prospered.
CHAP. 18.
Iugurth soliciteth those of
Vacca to rebellion Vpon his
perswasion they trecherous∣ly
kill the Romane Garri∣son.
The Towne is recoue∣red
by Metellus, and the
rebels are iustly punished.
IN the meane time Iu∣gurth,
when omitting
the surrender, hee renew∣ed
the warre with great
descriptionPage 430
care, he maketh prepara∣tions,
he hasteneth, and
raiseth an Army: the Ci∣ties,
which reuolted from
him, he soliciteth by feare,
or ostentation of rewards:
he fortifieth his owne Do∣minions:
armes, weapons,
and other necessaries,
which hee had neglected
in hope of peace, hee re∣paireth,
or buyeth all
of them out-right: he allu∣re
in the Romane slaues;
and tempteth euen those
with money, who were
billeted in the Garrisons:
nothing at all he suffereth
vnassaied, nor vndisturbed:
he attempteth all things.
Therefore in Vacca,
(where Metellus at first, Iu∣gurth
making his peace,
descriptionPage 431
had imposed a Garrison)
some principall Citizens
being sollicited by the
Kings request, neither be∣fore
alienated in affe∣ction,
conspired amongst
themselues: (for the com∣mon
people, as it is most∣where
frequent, especially
the Numidians being of a
light disposition, sedi∣tious,
and disagreeing,
desire innouation, and
are displeased with rest &
quietnesse:) then amongst
themselues their affaires
being settled, vpon the
third day following they
appoint the execution,
because it being holy, &
celebrated throughout all
Africk, it promised sport
and iollity, rather then
feare.
descriptionPage 432
But as soone, as the
time came, the Centu∣rions,
military Tribunes,
and the Gouernour him∣selfe
of the Towne, T. Tur∣pilius
Silanus, were seuerally
by seuerall men inuited to
their houses: al of them but
Turpilius, they kill amidst
their bankets: afterwards
they assaile the stragling
Souldiers, being vnar∣med,
because it was on
such a day, and wanting
orders to the contrary.
The Commonalty doth
the like execution, a part
of them being instructed
by the Nobility, others
being incited with the de∣sire
of such things; to
whom being ignorant of
the publicke Acts, and
descriptionPage 433
Counsell, the tumult it
selfe and innouation plea∣sed
sufficiently.
The Romane Soul∣diers,
vpon the sudden
fright, vncertaine and vn∣knowing
what was best
to be done, runne trem∣bling
vnto the Castle of
the Towne, where their
shields & Ensignes were:
a Guard of the enemies
prohibiteth their flight
vnto the gate before shut
vp: besides the women, &
boyes from the toppes of
the houses threw downe
violently stones, and o∣ther
materials, which the
place afforded. Thus the
doubtfull danger could
not be preuented, neither
by the most valiant could
descriptionPage 434
resistance be made against
the most feeble: the good
and bad, the valiant, and
cowardly are slaine toge∣ther.
In this great difficulty,
the Numidians shewing
no mercy, and the Towne
being euery where beset,
Turpilius the Gouernour
onely amongst all the Ita∣lians
escaped vnhurt:
whether this happened by
the compassion of his
hoste, whether by agree∣ment,
or casualty, wee
knowe no certainty: but
because to him in this
great disaster a dishonou∣rable
life was preferred be∣fore
an vnblemished repu∣tation,
he is reputed vile
and detestable.
descriptionPage 435
Metellus, when he vn∣derstood
what had happe∣ned
at Vacca, being gree∣ued,
for a while he retired
out of sight. Vpon this,
when anger and griefe
had wrought together,
with great care he haste∣neth
to reuenge the iniu∣ry,
he draweth foorth expe∣ditely
with the setting of
the Sun, the Legion, with
which he wintred, & as ma∣ny
Numidian Horse-men
as he could: & the next day
about the third houre he
arriueth at a eertaine
plaine, inuironed with
groūds something higher.
There he informeth his
Souldiers har••••ged with
the tediousnesse of the
iourney, and now refusing
descriptionPage 436
al cōmands; that the Town
of Vacca was not distant
aboue one thousand paces
thence: that it behoued
them to indure with pa∣tience
the remaining la∣bour,
vntill they tooke re∣uenge
for their fellow Ci∣tizens,
men valiant,
though most vnfortunate.
Moreouer he giueth free
leaue of pillage. Thus their
minds being incouraged,
he commādeth the Horse-men
to march on the right
flancke, the Foot-men in
their closest order; and
withall to conceale their
ensignes.
As soone as the Vaccen∣sians
obserued that an Ar∣my
marched towards
them, at first (as it was
descriptionPage 437
indeed) they coniectu∣ring
that it was Metellus,
did shut their gates: then
when they saw that the
fields were not wasted, &
that those who had the
point of the Van-guarde
were Numidian Horse-men,
they thinking
againe that it was Iu∣urth,
with great ioy issued
forth to meet him. The
Horse and Foote hauing a
signall suddenly giuen,
some of them kill the peo∣ple
dispersed through the
Towne, some hasten to
the gates: others surprize
the Towres: anger, and
the hope of spoile pre∣uailed
ouer wearinesse.
Thus the Vaccensians re∣ioyced
onely two dayes
descriptionPage 438
in their perfidiousnesse:
all that great and opulent
City became the subiect
of pillage or reuenge.
Turpilius the Gouer∣nour
of the Town, whom
we haue formerly said to
haue beene the onely man
amongst all that escaped
in safety, being comman∣ded
by Metellus to speake
for himselfe: after he had
made a weake purgation,
is condemned, and being
scourged, suffred capitall
punishment, for he was a
Cittizen out of Latium.
descriptionPage 439
CHAP. 19.
Bomilcar seeketh to betray
Iugurth. He dealeth for
this purpose with Nabdal∣sa.
He is discouered and
put to death.
AT that time Bomilcar,
through whose per∣swasion
Iugurth made the
surrender, which for feare
he forsooke, being suspe∣cted
of the King, and sus∣pecting
him, desireth in∣nouation,
he laboureth to
ruine him by treachery:
day and night he vexeth
himselfe: finally, hauing
tryed all courses, hee ad¦ioyneth
vnto himselfe
Nabdalsa for an associate,
descriptionPage 440
a Nobleman famous for
his great wealth, and much
beloud of his vassals. Who
for the most part com∣manded
an Army apart
from the King, and was
wont to execute all af∣faires,
which were left vn∣done
by Iugurth, being ti∣red
out, or imployed in
greater. By which meanes
he purchased renowne and
riches.
Thereupon by both
their aduices a day is ap∣pointed
for it: other pre∣parations,
as the occasion
required, were made by
them in the meane time.
Nabdalsa goeth vnto the
Army, which he had quar∣tered
vpon command a∣mongst
the wintring Gar∣risons
descriptionPage 441
of the Romans, tha••
the Coūtry by that meanes
might be secured from the
enemies excursions. He be∣ing
distracted with the
greatnesse of the attempt,
when as hee came not at
the time appointed, and
that feare hindred him
from progression; Bomil∣car
pensiue through the
desire of executing his de∣signe,
and withall, be∣cause
his Confederate was
fearefull, lest the first re∣solution
being neglected,
he should entertaine ano∣ther,
he sendeth letters vn∣to
him by trusty messen∣gers,
in which hee bla∣meth
the softnesse and
cowardice of the man; he
calleth the Gods to wit∣nesse,
descriptionPage 442
by whom hee had
sworne; he admonisheth,
that he would not conuert
Metellus rewards into his
destruction: that Iugurths
ruine was at hand: but
whether he should perish
by his, or Metellus vertue,
that was now to be discus∣sed:
therefore he should
weigh with himselfe, whe∣ther
hee had rather ac∣cept
of reward or punish∣ment.
But when these letters
were deliuered, Nabdalsa
by chance, wearied with
the exercising of his bo∣dy,
reposed himselfe on
his bed. When hee had
conceiued Bomilcars spee∣ches,
first care, then as it
is vsuall with a troubled
descriptionPage 443
mind, sleepe attached
him: there did belon••
to him a certaine Numi∣dian,
a faithfull Agent of
his affaires, and much e∣steemed
of him, who was
partaker of all his coun∣sels,
except of this last,
who when he heard, that
letters were brought, thin∣king
that according to cu∣stome,
there might bee
some need of his aduice
or industry, he entreth in∣to
the Pauilion: the other
being asleep, he taketh vp
the Epistle, being layd vn∣aduisedly
on his pillow,
and readeth the contents
of it: then the treason be∣ing
discouered, he poa∣steth
forthwith to the
King.
descriptionPage 444
Nabdalsa awaking not
long after, when as hee
missed the Epistle and vn∣derstood
by some fugi∣tiues
all the circumstance
of the matter; at first he
indeuoureth to appre∣hend
his accuser: but that
being lost labour, he go∣eth
to Iugurth, to mediate
his reconcilement, tel∣ling
him, that, that which
he resolued, was preuen∣ted
by the treachery of his
seruant, weeping he doth
coniure him by his friend∣ship,
& by his former faith∣full
seruices, that he would
not hold him suspected of
so hainous a crime: to this
the King, otherwise then
he thought, made this
gracious answere: that
descriptionPage 445
Bomilcar and sundry o∣thers,
whom hee knew
to be complices of the
conspiracy being slaine,
he had oppressed his an∣ger,
lest otherwise some
seditiou might grow from
that occasion. Neither af∣ter
this had Iugurth any
rest day or night: he was
confident of no place,
time, nor person, he fea∣red
alike his subiects and
enemies: hee was circum∣spect
of all dangers, and
affrighted with euery
noise: nightly he tooke
vp seuerall lodgings, vn∣fit
many times for his
dignity Royall: now and
then awaking out of sleep,
he caused tumult, by beta∣king
himselfe to his armes:
descriptionPage 446
thus with feare as with
a frensie, hee was still vex∣ed.
CHAP. 20.
Metellus maketh new prepa∣rations
for the warre. He
dismisseth Marius. Hee
fighteth with Iugurth, and
defeateth his Army. He ta∣keth
Thala.
THereupon Metellus,
as soone as hee was
aduertised by fugitiues of
Bomilcars misfortune, and
the detecting of the con∣spiracy;
againe, as if it
had beene for an intire
warre, he maketh and for∣wardeth
all needfull pre∣parations.
descriptionPage 447
Marius sollici∣ting
for his departure, &
withall being grown hate∣full
and offensiue vnto
him, he dismisseth home,
thinking him to be vnfit
for his imployment. And
at Rome, the Commons,
the letters being made
knowne, which were sent
concerning Metellus and
Marius, heard what they
desired of both. To the
Generall, his Nobility,
which before was an or∣nament,
became the oc∣casion
of enuy; to the o∣ther,
the lownesse of his
descent added fauour:
but in both these, the ben∣ding
of the factions car∣ried
more sway then their
owne vertues or vices.
descriptionPage 448
Besides, the seditious
Magistrates stirred the
Common people, in all
the assemblies they ac∣cuse
Metellus of treason:
They commend Marius
beyond descent. Finally,
the Plebeians were so
farre moued, that all the
Artificers and Country
Peazants, whose fortunes
and credit lay in their
hands, leauing their la∣bour,
resorted to Marius,
and esteemed their owne
necessary trades lesse then
his honour. Thus the No∣bility
being ouerthrowne,
after the reuolution of
much time the Consul∣ship
was giuen to a new
man: and afterwards the
people being demanded
descriptionPage 449
by Manlius Mantinus one
of their Tribunes, whom
they would haue to man∣nage
the warre against Iu∣gurth,
frequently they
inioyned Marius to vnder∣take
that charge. Yet the
Senate not long before
had decreed Numidia to
Metellus. That Decree be∣came
voyde.
In this meane time Iu∣gurth
hauing lost his
friends, most of whom he
himselfe had killed, the
residue taking their flight,
some to the Romanes, o∣thers
to King Bocchus:
when as he considered
that warre could not bee
waged without coassi∣stants,
and that it would
be dangerous to trye the
descriptionPage 450
fidelity of new friends
amidst so much perfidious∣nesse
of the old, hee was
tossed with a doubtfull
and vncertaine opinion:
no designe, counsell,
nor person could please
him sufficiently: his iour∣neyes
and commanders
he changed daily: some∣times
he marched towards
the enemies, now againe
towards the desarts: of∣tentimes
hee reposed his
hope in flight, and forth∣wi••h
in his Armes: hee
doubted, which he should
least rely on, his subiects
valour or loyalty. Thus
whatsoeuer hee intended,
fell out vnluckily.
But in the midst of these
delayes, Metellus sudden∣ly
descriptionPage 451
sheweth himselfe with
his army. The Numidians,
as the time would giue
leaue, were ordered and
aranged by Iugurth. Then
forthwith the battell is be∣gun.
In that part where
the King was present in
person, they fought
for a while: all the rest of
his Souldiers were broken
and chased vpon the first
incounter: the Romanes
tooke some Ensignes,
Armes, & prisoners. For in
all battels, for the most
part the Numidians are
more beholding to their
heeles then hands. In this
flight Iugurth now more se∣riously
distrusting his
estate, with the fugitiues
and some part of his Ca∣uallery,
descriptionPage 452
he arriueth first in
the desarts, and then at
Thala, a great & wealthy
Towne, where lay the
most part of his treasures,
and where his sonnes had
much of their educa∣tion
during their child∣hood.
Which things when
Metellus knew, although
betwixt Thala and the
next riuer in the space of
fifty miles, all places were
dry and waste yet hoping
to finish the warre, if hee
could gaine that Towne,
he vndertaketh to sur∣mount
all difficulties, and
to ouercome nature it
selfe. Therefore hee com∣mandeth
the beasts of bur∣then
to be vnladed of all
descriptionPage 453
the baggage, except of
Corne for ten dayes one∣ly:
in stead whereof, bot∣tles
and other vessels fit
for the cōtaining of water,
were appointed for their
carriage. Besides he get∣teth
out of the fields as
much tame Catrell, as he
could of the greater size,
and ••ladeth on them ves∣sels
of all sorts, but most
part wood denones, taken
out of the Numidian cot∣tages.
Againe, hee com∣mandeth
the borderers,
who after the Kings flight
had submitted themselues
to Metellus, that euery one
of them should carry what
water he could: he pre∣fixeth
a day and place,
where they should be rea∣dy
descriptionPage 454
to attend: he himselfe
from the riuer (which we
haue heretofore said to be
the next water to the town)
ladeth his beasts of burthē.
Thus furnished hee goeth
to Thala. Then being
come to the Rendez-vous
which he had inioyned to
the Numidians, and after
the Campe was pi••••hed
and fortified, suddenly so
much raine powred
downe from the sky, that
it was ouer and aboue
enough for the Army.
Besides they had victuals
more then they expected:
for that the Numidians,
as most men doe vpon a
new surrender, stretched
their diligence vnto the
vtmost. But the Souldiers
descriptionPage 455
out of a kind of religion
made most vse of the
raine: and that added
much to their courages:
for they thinking thēselues
to be the care of the im∣mortall
gods: the next
day following, contrary to
Iugurths opinion, they ar∣riue
at Thala.
The Townesmen, who
thought thēselues fortified
with the impregnablenesse
of the place, being ama∣zed
with this great and
strange accident, neuer∣thelesse
prouide for the
warre: our men doe the
like. But the King now
deeming nothing to be
impossible vnto Metellus,
as one who had subdued
by his industry all armes,
descriptionPage 456
weapons, places, times,
nay nature it selfe, com∣manding
other things:
by night he flieth out of
the Towne with his chil∣dren,
and a great part of
his treasure: and staying
not longer in any one
place then a day or
night, he gaue out colou∣rably,
that his businesse
caused him to make this
hast: but indeed he feared,
Treason▪ which he thought
to shun by celerity: for such
designes are fathered by
idlenesse and opportuni∣ty.
But Metellus, when he
saw the townesmen resol∣ued
to fight, and that it
was a strong Peere, in re∣gard
of the Workes,
descriptionPage 455
and situation, he surroun∣deth
the walls with a Cir∣cumuallation.
Then hee
commandeth them from
that place, which was
most fitting for the pur∣pose,
to bring their vine
Engines forwards, and
aboue them to raise a
Rampier; and Towres be∣ing
raised vpon the Ram∣pier,
thus to secure the
worke & the labourers. To
preuent this, the Townes∣men
vse all possible di∣ligence
and preparations:
nothing was left vndone
by either side. Finally, the
Romanes tired out with
much labour & fight, after
40. dayes that they came
thither, onely got the
Towne: all the prey was
descriptionPage 456
spoiled by the fugitiues.
They, when they saw the
walls battered with the
Rammes, and their estate
growne desperate, carried
the gold, siluer, and o∣ther
things of most ac∣count
into the Kings Pa∣lace:
there, being laden
with wine, and viands,
they burne both that, the
house and themselues
withall: thus that punish∣ment,
which they feared
from their enemies, they
willingly inflicted on
selues.
descriptionPage 457
CHAP. 21.
Ambassadours are sent from
Lep••is to Metellus. A
discourse of the Phile∣nian
brethren.
BVt together with the
taking of Thala, Am∣bassadours
from the Town
of Leptis came to Metellus;
requesting that he would
send thither a Garrison &
Gouernour: that one Hi∣milear
a Noble man of a fa∣ctious
spirit did affect in∣nouation:
against whom
neither the commands of
the Magistrates, nor the
Lawes were auailable: if
he did not speedily doe it,
their owne safety, the
descriptionPage 458
Alies of them would bee
much indangered. For the
Leptitanes long since,
from the beginning of the
Iugurthine warre, had sent
to Bestia the Consull, and
afterwards to Rome, to
require friendship and
Aliance. Then hauing got∣ten
a grant of this, they
alwayes remained true &
faithfull, and did per∣forme
with diligence all
the commands of Bestia,
Albinus, and Metellus:
therefore easily they ob∣tained
of the Generall,
whatsoeuer they reque∣sted.
There were sent thither
foure Cohorts of Ligu∣rians,
and C. Annius for
Gouernour. That towne
descriptionPage 459
was builded by the Sido∣nians,
whom wee haue
heard to come hither in
shippes, flying from
home because of Ciuill
discords. Moreouer it is
seated betwixt the two
Syrtes, who haue their
name imposed from their
nature. For there are two
Gulfes almost in the far∣thest
part of Africke of vn∣like
bignesse, of like con∣dition:
the parts of which,
that are neerest to the
shoare, are of an exceeding
depth: the others are ca∣sually
deepe, and at ano∣ther
season shoaly: for as
soone as the sea groweth
high, and rageth with the
windes, the waues drawe
in slime, sand, and migh∣ty
descriptionPage 460
stones: by this meanes
the condition of these pla∣ces
is altred with the
winds; they are called Sir∣••es
from their extent.
The language of this
City is somewhat corrup∣ted
by marrying with the
Numidians; but their
Lawes and habit are for
the most part Sidonian
which they retained with
the more facility, because
they liued farre from the
Kings Dominion. For be∣tweene
them, and the po∣pulous
places of Numi∣dia,
there lay vncultiued
and waste grounds. But
because wee are arriued in
these Regions by meane
of the Leptitan affaires, i••
seemeth worth the rela∣tion,
descriptionPage 461
to remember the
braue and memorable ex∣ploite
of two Carthagi∣nians.
The place intima∣ted
this vnto vs.
At what time the Car∣thaginians
ruled ouer most
of Africke, the Cyrenians
also were rich and power∣full:
the Frontier betwixt
them was sandy and vni∣forme;
there was neither
mountaine, nor riuer to
distinguish their borders:
which cause kept them in
a great▪ and vndisconti∣nued
warre. After their
Armies and Fleetes had
beene often beaten and
chased on both sides, and
that they had much im∣paired
one anothers
strength; they fearing that
descriptionPage 462
a third party would in¦uade
both the Conquerers
& conquered; taking truce,
they make an agreemēt, that
vpon a day appointed,
their Ambassadors should
depart from their seuerall
homes; at what place they
met one another, that
should be the common
border of both Nations.
Vpon this, two brethren
being sent from Carthage,
whose names were the Phi∣leni,
made hast in their iour∣ney:
the Cyrenians went
more slowly. Whether this
happened by negligence
or casualty, I know no∣thing
at all.
Besides, in those places
a tempest no otherwise
then in the sea restraineth
descriptionPage 463
passage. For when as the
wind arising on plaine
grounds, and bare of
trees, hath raised vp the
sand from the earth, that
being carried with great
violence filleth both the
mouth and eyes: thus
prospect being hindred,
the iourney is staid.
After the Cyrenians saw
that they were somewhat
the hindermost, and be∣cause
of their neglect, fea∣red
punishment at home;
they taxed the Carthagi∣nians,
that departing be∣fore
their time from their
place of habitation, they
had disturbed the Treaty;
finally they would rather
doe any thing then depart
vanquished. But when the
descriptionPage 464
Carthaginians required
any other condition, so it
were equall, the Grecians
put the Carthaginians to
their choice, that either
they should bee buried
there quicke, whereas they
desired borders for their
people, or that them∣selues
vpon the same con∣ditions
might proceed
whither they would. The
Philenians allowing the
condition, gaue vp them∣selues
and their liues to
the Common-wealth thus
were they interred aliue.
In that place the Cartha∣ginians
consecrated Al∣tars
to the Philenian bre∣thren,
and other ho∣nours
were instituted for
them in their Country.
descriptionPage 465
Now I returne to my pur∣pose.
CHAP. 22.
Iugurth draweth the Getu∣lians
to his party. He solli∣citeth
King Bocchus. He
is aduertised of Marius
comming.
IVgurth, when after Tha∣la
lost, he thought no∣thing
strong enough to re∣sist
Metellus, trauailing
with some few through
vast desarts, he commeth
to the Getulians, a fierce
and sauage kind of peo∣ple,
and as then ignorant
of the Romane name: hee
raiseth a multitude of
descriptionPage 466
them into one body, and
by degrees doth accu∣stome
them to keepe their
rankes, to followe their
Ensignes, to obey com∣mand,
and to performe
other military duties. Be∣sides,
hee allureth those
who were neerest vnto
King Bocchus, by great
gifts and greater promises,
to fauour his cause: with
which Assistants, going to
the King, hee doth per∣swade
him, that he should
vndertake warre against
the Romanes. This by
that aduantage became
more facill and feasable,
for that Bocchus in the be∣ginning
of this warre, had
sent Ambassadours to
Rome to desire a League
descriptionPage 467
and friendship: which
thing being most oppor∣tune
for the enterprize of
the warre, some few hin∣dred,
blinded with coue∣tousnesse,
by whom all
suites, whether honest or
dishonest, were vsually set
to sale.
Besides, the daughter
of Bocchus was formerly
married to Iugurth: but
that bond is meanely re∣garded
by the Moores and
Numidians: because that
each of them according to
their wealth, haue euery
man sundry wiues, some
10. others more: but Kings
more then so. Thus the
mind is distracted with
the multitude: none of
them is ranked in the place
descriptionPage 468
of an equall: they are al∣together
held despica∣ble.
Thereupon, in a place
chosen by both parties,
the Army meets: then
faith being giuen and re∣ceiued
interchangeably,
Iugurth inflameth Bocchus
with this speech: That
the Romanes were vniust,
of vnsatiable auarice,
the common enemies of all
mankind: that they had the
same cause of warre with
Bocchus, as with himselfe
and all other Nations, euen
the desire of rule; vnto whom
all Kings were opposites: then
he himselfe, a little before the
Carthaginians, with King Per∣ses,
after as euery man see∣med
most powerfull, so he be∣came
descriptionPage 469
enemy to the Romanes.
These, and such like spee∣ches
passing, they direct
their iourney to the towne
of Cirtha: for that Q. Me∣tellus
had lodged there the
prey, prisoners, and bag∣gage.
Thus Iugurth thought
that either the City being
taken, it would be a worke
worth his labour: or if the
Roman Generall came to
their succours, they should
come to the tryall of a
maine battell: for in cun∣ming,
he made haste onely
to disinable Iugurths peace,
lest by exercising delayes,
hee should desire some o∣ther
course, rather then
warre.
The General, when he had
heard of the Confederacy
descriptionPage 470
of the Kings, he doth not
rashly, neither as he was
often accustomed to doe,
(Iugurth being vanqui∣shed)
present in all places
free meanes to fight: but
not farre from Cirtha his
Camp being fortified, he
expecteth the Kings: thin∣king
it best, after he had
made some triall of the
Moores, (because they
came as fresh enemies,)
to fight at his best aduan∣tage.
In the meane time he
is certified from Rome by
letters, that the Prouince
of Numidia was giuen to
Marius: for he had heard
before, that he was made
Consull: with which ti∣dings
being troubled be∣yond
al decency, he neither
descriptionPage 471
could refraine teares, nor
moderate his tongue; the
man otherwise being of a
most excellent temper, too
tenderly tooke this grie∣uance:
which some constru∣ed
to bee pride in him: o∣thers,
a good disposition
prouoked with disgrace:
many men thought it was,
because the victory already
gotten, was wrested out of
his hands: to vs it is well
enough knowne, that hee
was more vexed with
Marius honour, then with
his proper iniury: neither
would he haue suffred it
with so much anxiety, if
the Prouince taken away,
had beene assigned to any
but Marius.
Therefore being diuer∣ted
descriptionPage 472
with this griefe, and
because it seemed a foo∣lish
part to take care of
anothers charge with his
owne danger, hee sends
Ambassadours to King
Bocchus, to require him,
that without cause hee
would not become an ene∣my
to the people of Rome:
that he had a faire oppor∣tunity
of contracting a
League and friendship,
which would be better
then warre. Although he
was confident in his owne
strength, yet hee ought
not to change vncertain∣ties
for certainties: al warre
was vndertaken with ease,
but concluded with diffi∣culty:
not in the same
mans power lay the be∣ginning
descriptionPage 473
& ending of it: it
was lawfull for euery man,
yea for a coward to begin:
it was to be laid aside, whē
the Conquerours would:
therefore hee should pro∣uide
for himselfe, and his
Kingdome; neither should
he cōmixe his flourishing
and Iugurths desperate for∣tunes
together.
To this the King answe∣red
calmely enough: that
himselfe desired peace:
but that he tooke compas∣sion
of Iugurths estate: if
the same liberty were
granted to him▪ all things
would be soone agreed
on. Againe the Generall,
to incounter Bocchus de∣maunds,
sendeth other
Messengers: he alloweth
descriptionPage 474
his propositions in part,
others he reiecteth. In this
manner by sending and re∣sending
Messengers from
both sides, time passed a∣way,
and according to
Metellus will, the warre
was protracted without
action.
But Marius (as is afore¦said)
being made Consull
through the earnestnesse
of the Commons, after
the people had decreed
Numidia for his Prouince,
he being heretofore incen∣sed
against the Nobility,
did as then frequently and
fiercely presse them: some∣times
he offended particu∣lars,
sometimes the gene∣rality:
he spake publickly,
that he got the Consulship
descriptionPage 475
as spoiles from them, being
vanquished; with other
words besides glorious for
himselfe, greuous for them.
In the meane time, his first
care is to prouide things
vsefull for the warre: hee
requireth a supply for the
Legions: he sendeth for
aydes from the Nations,
Kings, and Confederates:
moreouer, he inuiteth all
the flowre of Latium,
most of them knowne to
him in the warres, few by
report; and by his sollici∣tation
he draweth those,
who had out-serued their
military yeeres, to goe
this iourney with him: nei∣ther
did the Senate, al∣though
it were aduerse,
dare to deny him concer∣ning
descriptionPage 476
any businesse: but
euen with gladnesse gran∣ted
him a supply, because
it was thought the warre
was not pleasing to the
Commonalty, and Marius
should either lose his im∣ployment
in it, or ••he loue
of the vulgar. But that
hope proued vain: so much
desire had possessed most
men to go with Marius. E∣uery
man was perswaded,
that he should be inriched
with the prey; that hee
should returne home vi∣ctorious,
and harboured a∣ther
thoughts of the same
nature: and Marius ha••h not
a little incouraged them
with his speech. For after
all things being decreed,
which he required, he had
descriptionPage 477
an intent to inroll Soul∣diers,
as well for exhor∣tations
sake, as also for
exasperating the Nobility:
according to his custome,
he summoneth an Assem∣bly
of the people: then
spake he after this manner.
CHAP. 23.
The Oration of Marius the
Consull, to the people of
Rome.
I Know, O ye Romanes,
that most men doe not
by the same Arts sue for
Command from you, and
after they haue procured it,
minister the same: at first
they are industrious, sup∣pliant
descriptionPage 478
and moderate: af∣terwards
in slouth and
pride they consume their
time. But otherwise it
seemes good to me: for by
how much the more the
Common-wealth is to be
regarded before a Prae∣tour-ship,
or Consulship,
by so much the sooner
ought that to be gouer∣ned,
then these sued for.
Neither am I deceiued,
what a waighty businesse
through your especiall fa∣uour
I sustaine. To pro∣uide
for warre, and with∣all
to spare the Treasury:
to drawe them to be Soul∣diers,
whom you are loth
to offend: to care for all
things both at home and
abroad: and to accom∣plish
descriptionPage 479
these things amōgst
enuious, thwarting and fa∣ctious
opposites, is a
worke (O yee Romanes)
more difficult then opi∣nion.
Besides, if other men
proue delinquents, their
ancient Nobility, the va∣liant
exploits of their An∣cestors,
the greatnesse of
their kinsmen and alies,
their multitude of Clients
serue for a meanes to pro∣tect
them. All my hopes re∣lye
on my selfe, which it is
necessary to defend with
vertue and innocence: for
all other supports are
weake.
And this I vnderstand
(O ye Romanes) that all
mens eyes are cast vpon
descriptionPage 480
me: the iust and good
men fauour: because that
my well doings aduance
the Common-wealth: the
Nobility seeke an occa∣sion
to inuade me. By so
much the more earnestly
I must endeauour, that
they may be frustrated, &
you not deceiued.
Thus to this age haue I
conuersed from my child∣hood,
that to all labours
and dangers I haue beene
accustomed. What I did
freely before your benefits
bestowed, it is not my
counsell (O ye Romanes)
to neglect, hauing recei∣ued
a reward for it.
It is a hard matter for
such to be temperate in
authority, who for ambi∣tious
descriptionPage 481
ends haue fained
themselues honest: to me,
who haue passed ouer all
my life in the best profes∣sions,
to doe well from cu∣stome
it is growne natu∣rall.
You haue comman∣ded
me to wage warre
with Iugurth; a thing which
the nobility hath brooked
impatiently. I beseech
you weigh with your
selues, whether it might
proue better to change
this your purpose, if you
should find out of that cir∣cle
of the Nobility, some
man or other of anciēt des∣cent,
of many statues and
no seruice: that forsooth
in so great an action, hee
might tremble, ouerha∣sten,
and take some Ple∣beian
descriptionPage 482
person for an Adui∣ser
of his Office. Thus ma∣ny
times hath it come to
passe, that he whom you
haue ordained to com∣mand
in chiefe, was faine
to seeke another Generall
for himselfe.
But I know (O ye Ro∣manes)
those, who after
they were made Con∣suls,
did beginne to reade
the acts of their Ance∣stours,
& the military pre∣cepts
of the Graecians;
praeposterous men as they
are. For to gourne, then to
be made a gouernour, is a thing
later in time; first in nature
and vse.
Compare now (O yee
Romanes) with their pride
me, that am a new man,
descriptionPage 483
what things they are accu∣stomed
to heare; and
reade, I my selfe haue
partly seene, partly acted,
what they haue learned in
bookes, I haue in military
seruice. Now doe you
make a coniecture whether
deedes or words are of
most accompt. They des∣pise
my nouelty, I their
pride. Fortune to me, re∣proches
to them are obie∣cted.
Although I thinke
that there is one nature &
common to all, but euery
man that is most valiant to
be most noble. And if now
it could be demanded of
the fathers of Albinus and
Bestia, whether they had
rather, that I or those were
begotten of them, what
descriptionPage 484
thinke you, they would
answer, but that they
would desire the best of
men for their children?
But if iustly they des∣pise
me, let them doe the
like to their Ancestours:
to whom, euen as to me,
from vertue Nobility be∣gan.
They enuy my ho∣nour:
therefore let them
enuy my labour, inno∣cence,
and dangers: be∣cause
by those I got that.
But these men corrupted
with pride, liue so, as if
they contemned your ho∣nours:
they sue for them
in that manner, as if they
had liued honestly. No tru∣ly,
they are deceiued▪ who to∣gether
expect things most re∣pugnant,
the pleasure of slouth,
descriptionPage 485
and the rewards of vertue.
Besides, when they
speake amongst you, or
in the Senate, they magni∣fie
their Ancestours in
most of their speeches:
by relating their valiant
acts, they thinke them∣selues
the more renow∣ned:
which is quite con∣trary:
for by how much
their life is the more glo∣rious,
by so much the
more is these mens slouth
the more infamous. And
truely thus stands the case:
The glory of Ancestours is a
light to posterity, which suf∣freth
neither their good, nor
euill deedes to lye concealed.
Of this I am wanting (O
ye Romanes.) But that
which is by farre more il∣lustrious,
descriptionPage 486
I can lawfully
speake of my owne ex∣ploits.
Now behold how vn∣iust
they are: what they
arrogate to themselues
from others vertue, that
they grant not to me for
my owne: forsooth, be∣cause
I haue not statues,
and because my Nobility
is new; which questionles
it is better to haue gotten
then to deface being once
receiued. Verily I am not
ignorant, that if they
would forthwith answere
me, their speech would be
very eloquent, and com∣posed.
But in this your
greatest benefit, when as
in all places they rent with
their calumnies, both me
descriptionPage 487
and you▪ it is not my plea∣sure
to be silent: lest any
man should intreprete my
modesty to be guilt of
conscience▪ For me, in my
opinion, no speech can of∣fend▪
because if true, it
must needs speake well, if
false, my life and man∣ners
confute it. But be∣cause
your Counsels are
accused, who haue impo∣sed
on me the highest ho∣nour
and chiefest imploy∣ment,
againe, consider
with your selues, whether
you may repent your
choice.
I cannot for procuring
credit shewe statues nor
triumphs, nor the Con∣sulships
of my Progeni∣tours:
but if that occasion
descriptionPage 488
required, I could shew
a Standard, Speares, or∣naments
of desert, and o∣ther
military rewards, be∣sides
s••••rres in the fore∣part
of my body. These
are my statues, this is my
Nobility; not left by in∣heritance,
as theirs to
them, but which I haue
acquired with my mani∣fold
labours, and dan∣gers.
My words are not com∣posed:
I doe meanely re∣gard
that▪ Vertue sufficient∣ly
declares it selfe. Art is re∣quisite
for them, that so
with speech they may pal∣liate
their dishonest acti∣ons.
Neither haue I lear∣ned
the Grecian lāguage:
I had small pleasure to
descriptionPage 489
learne that, because it
hath nothing auailed the
teachers thereof in the
pursuite of vertue: But
those other things I haue
beene taught, most be∣neficiall
for the Com∣mon-wealth;
as to charge
the enemy, to stand vpon
my guard, to feare no∣thing
but infamy: to in∣dure
alike▪ Winter and
Summer, to take my re∣pose
on the ground, at the
same time to suffer want
& labour. With these pre∣cepts
I will incourage my
Souldiers: neither will I
entertaine them with Art,
my selfe with plenty, nor
make their labour my glo∣ry.
This is a profitable,
this is a ciuill way of com∣manding.
descriptionPage 490
For when thou
thy selfe shalt liue dainti∣ly,
to inforce thy Army
with punishment, that is
to be a Lord, not a Gene∣rall.
By doing these and such
like things, your Ance∣stours
honoured them∣selues
and the Republick▪
On whose worth, the No∣bility
relying, being of
different conditions in
themselues, vilifie vs emu∣lous
of them; and cha∣lenge
all honours from
you, not by merit, but as
if they were due. Neuer∣thelesse
these most inso∣lent
men are much decei∣ued.
Their Predecessours
left all that they could vn∣to
them, riches, statues▪
descriptionPage 491
and a glorious memory of
themselues: they left not
vertue: That alone, is neither
giuen, nor taken by way of do∣nation.
They say that I am sor∣did,
and rude of condi∣tions,
because I doe not
curiously enough set
forth a banket, nor haue
euer a Stage-player of my
owne, nor a Cooke
higher prized, then my Bai∣liffe.
Which is a pleasure
for me to confesse (O yee
Romanes.) For I haue
learned from my father;
and other deuoute per∣sons,
that neatnesse for
women, labour for men
is most conuenient: and
that it behoueth all good
men to possesse more glo∣ry
descriptionPage 492
then wealth; that armes,
not vtensils are an orna∣ment.
But therefore what de∣lights
them, what they
esteeme dearely, let them
for euer doe: let them
whore, & drink: wher they
haue wasted their youth,
there let them spend their
old age, in bankets; gi∣uen
ouer to the belly, and
the obscenest part of the
body: sweat, dust, and
such like things, let them
leaue to vs, vnto whom
these are more delightfull
then bankets.
But the case is other∣wise:
For where as these
vile men haue dishonou∣red
themselues with scan∣dalous
crimes, they seeke
descriptionPage 493
to take by violence the re∣wards
of the vertuous.
Thus most vniustly riot, &
slouth, the worst of all
vices, hinder not those,
who haue imbraced them;
to the guiltlesse Commō∣wealth
they proue mis∣chieuous.
Now, because I haue
answered them, as much,
as my custome, not their
faults required, I will
speake a few words con∣cerning
the Common∣wealth.
First of all (O ye
Romanes) hope well of
Numidia: what helpes
haue hitherto supported
Iugurth, you haue remoued
them all, auarice, vnskil∣fulnesse
and pride. Be∣sides,
the Army there, is
descriptionPage 494
knowing of the Country,
but truely more valiant,
then fortunate: for a
great part of it hath beene
consumed by the coue∣tousnesse
or roshn••sse of
the commanders.
Wherefore you, who
are of military age, inde∣uour
together with me, &
vndertake for the Cōmon∣wealth.
Neither let any
man be terrified with the
calamity of others, or
with the pride of Gene∣rals:
I may selfe in mar∣ching
and battell, will be
a Counseller and sharer of
the danger with you: I will
gouerne both my selfe and
you in all things alike: &
certainly▪ the gods assi∣sting
the victory, pillage,
descriptionPage 495
and praise are all proui∣ded
for vs: which if
they were doubtfull, and
farre remoued, yet it be∣commeth
all good men to
assist the Commonwealth.
For no man by slouth was
made immortall: neither did
any father euer wish for his
children, that they might be
eternall, rather then good, and
honest in their liues. More
could I speake (O ye Ro∣manes)
if words added
courage to cowards; vnto
the valiant I think enough
hath beene spoken.
Some such speeches be∣ing
deliuered, when as
Marius saw the minds of
the Common people ere∣cted,
he speedily fraugh∣••eth
the shippes with vi∣ctuals,
descriptionPage 496
pay, Armes, and
other necessaries. With
these he commandeth A.
Manlius his Lieutenant to
passe ouer. He himselfe in
the meane time inrolleth
Souldiers, not after the
ancient custome, nor out
of the classicall numbers,
but for the most part Vo∣luntiers
mustred by the
poale. Some reported,
that this was done for
want of able men; others
through the Consuls am∣bition:
because hee had
beene honoured and ad∣uāced
by such people: And
to a man that pursueth great∣nesse,
he that is most wanting, is
most opportune, vnto whom his
owne is no care, because it is no∣thing
worth, & with a price all
descriptionPage 497
things are accounted honest.
Thereupon Marius with
his numbers something
fuller then was decreed,
going into Africke, in a
few dayes was transpor∣ted
to Vtica. The Army is
deliuered to him by P. Ru∣tilius
the Lieutenant: for
Metellus shunned Marius
sight, lest hee should be∣hold
that, which being
hard, his mind abhorred.
But the Consull, the Le∣gions
and Auxiliary Co∣horts
being reinforced,
marched into a fertill
Country and full of pil∣lage:
all booties taken
there, hee giueth to the
Souldiers: then he assai∣leth
the Townes and Ca∣stles,
which were of small
descriptionPage 498
strength in regard of their
situation or Garrison, he
maketh sundry light skir∣mishes
in sundry places.
In the meane time the new
leuyed Souldiers, without
feare pre••ented themselues
to fight: they saw those
that fled, to be taken o••
slaine: euery man that was
most valiant, to bee most
safe: that by their Armes,
their liberty, Country,
Parents, and all things
else were defended: glory
and riches were purchased.
Thus in a short space the
new and old Souldiers
complyed together; and
the valour of all became
equall.
descriptionPage 499
CHAP. 23.
The Kings retire into the de∣sarts.
Metellus goeth to
Rome. Marius besieged
Capsa, and after some dif∣ficulties
taketh it by force.
BVt the Kings▪ as soone
as they vnderstood of
Marius comming, depart
diuersly into places of dif∣ficnlt
accesse. Thus it see∣med
good to Iugurth, ho∣ping
ere long hee should
surprize his enemies strag∣gling,
and that the Ro∣mans,
as most men doe,
feare being remoued,
would carry themselues
more loosly and licen∣tiously.
descriptionPage 500
Metellus in the mean
time going to Rome, i••
contrary to his expecta••tion
receiued with much
ioy, being esteemed alike
of the Fathers and people▪
after their hatred was
once allayed.
But Marius readily and
wisely attended his owne,
and the enemies affaires;
hee knew what was expe••dient
or not for both: he
discouered the iourneyes
of the Kings: hee preuen∣ted
their counsels and
Stratagems: he suffred no
slackenesse with himselfe,
nor safety with them.
Therefore both the Getu∣lians,
and Iugurth driuing
preyes from our Confede∣rates,
he often assailing
descriptionPage 501
defeated them in their
iourneyes, and disarmed
the King himselfe, not
farre from the Towne of
Cirtha: which exploits
when he perceiued to be
onely glorious, not con∣ducing
to the finishing of
the warre, hee resolueth
to besiege the Citties one
after another, which in
respect of the place or peo∣ple,
were most aduātageous
for the enemy against him∣selfe.
Thus either Iugurth
would be despoiled of his
aydes, if he suffred this,
or else must come to the
tryall of a battell.
For Bocchus had many
times sent Messēgers to the
Cōsul, shewing that he desi∣red
the friēdship of the Ro∣mane
descriptionPage 502
people, that he••
should feare no act of ho••stility
from him. Whether
he conterfeited this to the
intent, that being vnlooked
for, he might inuade with
more annoyance, or that
through the leuity of his
disposition, he was wont
to change the resolutions
of peace and warre, it re∣maines
vndiscouered. But
the Consull, as he had re∣solued,
marcheth to the
Townes, and fortified
Castles: some by force,
others by terrour, or by
promising rewards, he
withdraweth from the
enemies. And first his vn∣dertakings
were meane,
thinking that Iugurth for
defending his own, would
descriptionPage 503
come within danger. But
when he heard that he was
absent a farre off, and im∣ployed
vpon other af∣faires,
it seemed high
time for him to vndertake
things more great and dif∣ficult.
There lay amongst the
vast desarts, a faire Towne
and strong, (called Capsa)
whose founder Hercules the
Lybian was said to bee.
The Citizens were priui∣ledged
by Iugurth, liuing
vnder a gentle command,
and for these respects,
were held most faithfull:
They were fortified a∣gainst
enemies not onely
with walls, armes and
Souldiers, but that which
is much more, with the
descriptionPage 504
roughnesse of the Region:
for besides the places next
to the Towne, all the rest
were wast for want of ma∣nuring,
skant of water, &
infested with Serpents▪
whose violence, as of all
other wilde beasts, growes
more outragious, by the
scarcity of meate. Besides,
the nature of Serpents
pernicious in it selfe, is
more inflamed with thirst,
then any thing else.
Of gaining this piece
an earnest desire possessed
Marius, as well for the vse
of the warre, as also for
that it seemed a difficult
matter; and Metellus had
with great glory taken the
Towne of Thala, seated
and fortified not much vn∣like:
descriptionPage 505
but that at Thala
there were some foun∣taines
not far from the
walls. The Capsians had
onely one spring of wa∣ter,
and that within
the Towne, as for the rest,
they vsed raine. That in∣conuenience
both there,
and in all Africke, which
being far from the sea, lay
vncultiued, is suffred with
lesse greeuance, because
the Numidians for the
most part fed on milke,
and the flesh of wilde
beasts, and neither sought
for salt nor other prouoca∣tions
of gluttony: food
serued them against hun∣ger
and thirst, not for lust
nor luxury.
Therefore the Consull,
descriptionPage 506
all things being disco∣uered,
relying as I thinke
on the gods (for against
so great difficulties hee
could not sufficiently pro∣uide
by counsell: because
also he was assailed with
want of Corne: for that
the Numidians are more
addicted to grazing of
Cattell then tillage, and
whatsoeuer croppe was
growne, they had bestow∣ed
by the Kings command
in places of strength: but
the fields at that time were
dry, and bare of graine,
for it was the last of Sum∣mer)
doth notwithstan∣ding
as he could, make pre∣paration
with prouidence
enough: he giueth out all
the Cattell, which he had
descriptionPage 507
formerly gotten by preda∣tion,
to be driuen by the
Auxiliary horse-men: hee
commandeth A. Manlius
his Lieutenant, with the
light-armed Cohorts to
goe to the Towne of Li∣••is,
where he had placed
the pay and victuals: him∣selfe
going to take preyes,
meant to be there within
a few dayes. Thus his en∣terprize
being concealed,
he marcheth to the riuer
Tana.
But as he trauailed, he
distributed the Cattell
daily by equall propor∣tions
vnto his Army,
throughout the Centuries,
and Horse-troupes; and
tooke order that bottles
might be made of the
descriptionPage 508
hides: thus together hee
eased the want of Corne,
and all men being igno∣rant
of his purpose, he pre∣pared
those things, which
would be forthwith vse∣full.
Finally on the sixth
day, when they came to
the riuer, a great number
of bottles was made.
There the Campe being
pitched with a slight for∣tification,
hee comman∣deth
the Souldiers to eate,
and to march out with the
setting of the Sunne; that
all the baggage being quit∣ted,
they should with
water onely lade them∣selues,
and the beasts of car∣riage.
Then when the time
came, he issueth forth of
the Camp; and hauing tra∣uailed
descriptionPage 509
all the night, he re∣steth:
he doth the same on
the next: and the third
long before day light, he
arriueth in a place full of
little hilles, not distant
aboue two miles from
Capsa: and there as co∣uertly
as he could, he ma∣keth
a stand with all his
Army. But as soone as it
was open day, and the
Numidians fearing no
hostility, came forth of
the Towne in great num∣bers:
he suddenly com∣mandeth
all the Horse∣men,
and with these the
nimblest Foot-men to
march to Capsa with full
speed, and to blocke vp
the gates: thereupon hee
himselfe being intentiue,
descriptionPage 510
followeth hastily, neither
doth he suffer the Soul∣diers
to pillage.
Which things when the
Townes-men knew; their
desperate estate, their
mighty feare, the vnexpe∣cted
mischiefe, together
with a great part of their
Citizens in the hands of
enemies, inforced them
to make a surrender. But
the Towne was burnt, the
Numidian youth were
slaine, all the rest were sold:
the prey was deuided to
Souldiers. This outrage
contrary to the Law of
Armes, was not done
through the auarice or
mischieuous disposition
of the Consull: but be∣cause
the place was for Iu∣gurth
descriptionPage 511
opportune, for vs diffi∣cult
in regard of accesse:
the people were incon∣stant,
and faithlesse, before
neuer subiected by feare
nor benefit.
After Marius had fini∣shed
so high a worke with∣out
any losse of his owne
men, being heretofore
great and excellent, hee
now began to be accoun∣ted
greater and excellen∣ter:
all his vncouncellable
actions were interpreted
to be vertuous: the Soul∣diers
being ruled with a
modest command, and
rich besides, praised him
aboue measure: the Nu∣midians
feared him more
then a mortall man▪ Last∣ly,
all the Confederates
descriptionPage 512
and enemies beleeued,
that either he had a diuine
spirit, or that all euents
were portended to him by
the appointment of the
gods.
CHAP. 24.
Marius taketh other strong
places, & amongst the rest,
a Castle, where th•• Kings
Treasure lay, which was
held impregnable.
BVt the Consull, as
soone as this enter∣prize
was happily finished,
marcheth to other Towns:
some few he takes, the Nu∣midians
making resistance;
more he burnes, lving de∣sert
descriptionPage 513
in regard of the Cap∣sians
miseries; with mour∣ning
and slaughter all
things are filled. Finally
hauing gotten many pla∣ces,
and most of them with
an vnbloodyed Army, he
vndertaketh another busi∣nesse,
not of that danger
as that of the Capsians, yet
no lesse difficult.
For not farre from the
riuer of Mulucha, which
diuided Iugurths & Bocchus
Kingdome, there was a∣mongst
the other grounds
being champion, a rocky
mountaine with a Castle
of indifferent bignesse, ly∣ing
very open, exceeding
high, with one straight en∣trance
left vnto it: for all
the rest was steepe by na∣ture,
descriptionPage 514
as if it had beene pur∣posely
wrought so. This
Peece, Marius, because the
Kings treasures lay there;
resolues to take with his
vtmost force: but this en∣terprize
was better manna∣ged
by chance, then
Counsell; for in the Ca∣stle
there was a sufficient
proportion of Souldiers,
Armes, and Corne, besides
a Fountaine of water: by
meanes of the Bulwarkes,
Towres, and other workes,
it was scarce assaultable:
the way to the Castle was
exceeding narrow, hewed
out on both sides: the Vine-engines
were raised to no
purpose, with exceeding
danger: for as soone as
they aduanced neuer so
descriptionPage 515
little, they were spoild
with fire or stones: the
Souldiers could neither
stand fast before the
workes, through the vn∣euennesse
of the place: nor
doe their dutie amongst
the Vine-engines, without
indangering themselues:
al the best men were woun∣ded
or slaine: amongst the
rest, feare increased.
But Marius much time
and labour being spent,
anxiously pondered in his
minde, whether he should
desist from this enterprize,
because it had succeeded
ill, or should expect for∣tune,
which he had often
prosperously vsed. Vpon
this, when he had medita∣ted
doubtfully many dayes
descriptionPage 516
and nights, by chance a
certaine Ligurian, a com∣mon
Souldier of the auxi∣liary
Cohorts, going out
of the Campe to water, not
farre from the side of the
Castle, which was opposite
to them that fought, obser∣ued
Snailes creeping a∣mongst
the Rockes: of
them when he had sought
to get one or two, and af∣terwards
more; through
the desire of gathering, he
ascended by degrees al∣most
to the top of the
mountaine: where when
he vnderstood the place to
be solitary, after the man∣ner
of mans desire, in the
di••couery of things vn∣knowne,
he doth apply his
minde vnto it. And by
descriptionPage 517
chance a great Holme tree
grewe in that place
amongst the rockes, now
declining a little, then ben∣ding,
and raised in height,
as the nature of all trees is:
by whose boughes some∣times,
sometimes by the
eminent rockes the Ligu∣rian
climbing, suruayeth
the plaine of the Castle,
for that all the Numidians
were intentiue amongst
those that fought.
All things being disco∣uered,
which he thought
might be forth-with vse∣full,
hee goeth backe the
same way, not vnaduised∣ly
as he came vp, but try∣ing
and viewing all places
round about. For this
cause he goeth speedily to
descriptionPage 518
Marius: he informeth him
what hee had done: hee
doth perswade him, that
on that side, from whence
he descended, he would
assaile the Castle: he doth
promise, that he would be
chiefe in the enterprize
and danger. Marius sent
some of those, who were
present with the Ligurian,
to informe himselfe better
of his promises: of whom,
as euery mans disposition
serued, so they brought
backe word, that it was
facill or difficult. Yet the
Consuls minde was some∣what
incouraged.
Therefore out of the
number of his Trumpe∣ters,
and Cornetters, he se∣lecteth
fiue of the nim∣blest,
descriptionPage 519
and with these, foure
Centurions for their
gard, commanding them
all to obey the Ligurian,
and appointeth the next
day for that seruice. But
as soone as the time came
ordained by command, all
things being prepared and
disposed, he goeth to the
place. But they who com∣manded
the Centuries,
being formerly instructed
by their Leader, had chan∣ged
Armes and attire, be∣ing
bare on the head and
feete, that so their pro∣spect
and trauaile amongst
the rockes, might be the
more easie. Vpon their
backes were their swords
and shields, but they were
of the Numidian fashion
descriptionPage 520
made of leather for light∣nesse
sake: and withall, that
striking one against ano∣ther,
they might clash with
lesse noise.
Vpon this, the Liguri∣an
going before, tyed
ropes vnto the rockes and
rootes, that were eminent
through antiquity: with
which the Souldiers being
eleuated, might get vp
with lesse labour: some∣times
hee raised with his
hand, those that were feare∣full
through the vncouth∣nesse
of the passage: where∣as
the ascent was some∣thing
more rough, he sent
them one by one vnarmed
before him: then he him∣selfe
followed with their
armes: what places seemed
descriptionPage 521
dangerous to climbe, he
assayed first: and often as∣cending
and descending
the same way, then forth∣with
trauersing, he doth
imbolden the rest to fol∣low.
Therupon they being
long, and much toyled,
came into the Castle being
forsaken on that side: be∣cause
that all the defen∣dants
as they had done on
the former dayes, were
present, where they ••ought
against the enemies.
Marius, as soone as hee
vnderstood by Messen∣gers,
what the Ligurian
had done; although all
the day he had held the
Numidians hard in fight,
then especially incoura∣ging
his Souldiers, and he
descriptionPage 522
himselfe sallying forth
without the Vine-workes,
secondeth with a Tortoise
Engine raised, and withall
terrifieth the enemy from
aloofe with Engines of
battery, with his archers
and slingers. But the Nu∣midians,
the Roman Vine-workes
hauing beene often
before ouerthrowne and
burned, sheltred not them∣selues
within the Castle
walles, but night and day
walked before the wall:
they railed against the Ro∣manes,
and to Marius ob∣iected
madnesse; to our
Souldiers the threatned
Iugurths seruitude: in pro∣sperity
they grew proud.
In the meane time all the
Romans and enemies be∣ing
descriptionPage 523
earnest in fight, with
great violence on both
sides; these striuing for
Glory and Empire, those
for safetie, suddenly from
behind the military instru∣ments
sounded: and first
of all the women and
boyes, who came to see,
fled: then euery man, as
he was next to the wall, fi∣nally,
all both armed and
vnarmed. As soone as
this happened, the Ro∣manes
fall on by so much
the more fiercely, they
beate downe, and onely
wound most of the ene∣mies:
then they passe ouer
the bodies of the slaine, be∣ing
greedy of glory, they
assault the wall with an e∣mulating
strife: neither
descriptionPage 524
doth pillage arrest any one
of them all. Thus casually
Marius rashnesse being-corrected,
found glory out
of an error.
CHAP. 25.
Sylla commeth to the Army
with great supplies of
Horse-men. His character.
The two Kings are discom∣fited
with both their Ar∣mies.
MOreouer, whilest
this enterprize was
acting, L. Sylla the Trea∣surer
arriueth in the Camp
with great numbers of
Horsemen, for the raising
of which, out of Latium,
and amongst the Confede∣rates,
descriptionPage 525
he had beene left at
Rome. But because the
occasion doth admonish
vs of so braue a man, it
seemeth expedient to
speake briefely of his na∣ture
and manners: and L.
Sisenna, who hath prosecu∣ted
it most exactly and di∣ligently,
amongst all those
who haue treated of that
subiect, seemeth to me not
to haue spoken with free∣dome
enough.
Therefore Sylla was a
Nobleman of a Patrician
race, his Family being al∣most
extinguish'd through
the slouth of his Ance∣stours,
he was learned a∣like,
and that most lear∣nedly
in the Greeke and
Latine tongue, he was of
descriptionPage 526
a haughty mind, greedy
of pleasures, but more
greedy of honour: in va∣cant
times hee was luxu∣rious,
yet pleasure ne∣uer
hindred him from
his businesse, excepting
that concerning his wife,
which might bee more
honestly interpreted: he
was eloquent, crafty and
facill in friendship: to
shaddow his affaires,
the height of his wit was
incredible: hee was a
giuer of many things, but
most specially of mony:
and to him being the hap∣piest
of all men, before the
ciuill victory, Fortune was
neuer aboue his industry:
and many men doubted
whether he were more va∣liant
descriptionPage 527
or fortunate: for
those things, which hee
did afterwards, I am vncer∣taine,
whether I should be
more ashamed or greeued
to relate.
Therefore Sylla, as hath
beene formerly said, after
he came into Africke, and
Marius Campe with the
Cauallery, being before
raw and vnexperienced in
warre, became the most
ablest of all men in a short
time. Besides, he saluted
the Souldiers curteously:
he gaue to many vpon re∣quest,
to others out o•• his
owne freedome▪ he recei∣ued
henefits vnwillingly,
but the repayed them soo∣ner
then money lent, hee
required that of no man:
descriptionPage 528
he rather indeuoured this,
that most men might be his
debtours. He communi∣cated
his pastimes, and
serious affaires euen with
the meanest: in the works,
in marching, and at the
watches, he was most of∣ten
present: neither in the
meane time, which wic∣ked
ambition is wont to
doe, did he wound the re∣putation
of the Consull,
or of any good man: one∣ly
he suffred none to goe
before him in Counsell▪
nor execution: about
most he got the prece∣dence.
By these courses
and Arts, he became in a
short space most deare to
Marius and the Souldiers.
But Iugurth, after he ha••
descriptionPage 529
lost the Towne of Capsa,
with other places of
strength commodious for
himselfe, and withall a
great masse of mony, he
sendeth Messengers vnto
King Bocchus, that hee
should come with all
speed into Numidia, that
the season serued to giue
battell: whom when hee
heard to make delayes,
and doubtfully to pro∣tract
the meanes both of
warre and peace: againe,
as before, hee corrupteth
those that were next vnto
him, with gifts: and hee
promiseth vnto the Moore
himselfe a third part of
Numidia, if either the
Romanes were driuen out
of Africke, or the war were
descriptionPage 530
cōpounded, his owne Do∣minions
remaining intire.
Bocchus allured with
this reward, goeth ouer to
Iugurth with a great multi∣tude.
Thus both their Ar∣mies
being ioyned, they
set vpon Marius now mar∣ching
into his winter Gar∣risons,
scarce a tenth part
of the day being left:
thinking that the night,
which was now at hand,
would be a safegard to thē
being vāquished, & if they
should vanquish would be
no impediment, because
they knew the ground: and
to the Romanes both for∣tunes
would proue more
disaduātagous in the dark▪
Therefore as soone as
the Consull was informed
descriptionPage 531
by many of the enemies
comming, the enemies
themselues were also come:
and before the army could
be imbattayled, or the bag∣gage,
gathered together; fi∣nally,
before it could re∣ceiue
any signall or com∣mād,
the Moorish & Getu∣liā
horse-men, not in front,
nor in any forme of battel,
but in a disorderly troupe,
as chance gaue thē meanes
to ioyne, fell on vpon our
men. All of whom trem∣bling
with sudden feare,
but yet mindfull of their
valour, did either take
Armes, or defended
others from the enemies,
as they tooke them. One
part mounted their hor∣ses,
to issue forth to incoun∣ter
descriptionPage 532
the foe: the fight was
more like to a skirmish of
Theeues, then to a battell▪
without Ensignes, with∣out
rankes, the Horse and
Foot were blended toge∣ther:
some fell: others kil∣led:
many circumuented
those from behind, who
sought eagerly against
those who opposed them
in frount: neither valour
nor Armes defended suffi∣ciently;
for that the ene∣mies
were more in num∣ber,
and euery where dis∣persed
round about: final∣ly
the old and new Ro∣mans,
(and in that shewing
themselues expert Souldi∣ers,)
if place, or chance cō••ioyned
any, they did cast
themselues into round bat∣talions;
descriptionPage 533
& so being equally
defended, and ordered on
all parts, they sustained the
enemies impression.
Neither in this so diffi∣cult
a businesse was Marius
terrified, or deiected in
mind any more then be∣fore:
but with his owne
Troupe of Horse, (which
he had raised rather out of
the most valiāt, then out of
those, which were most
his familiears) he courseth
vp & downe euery where:
and some times he succou∣reth
his owne men being
distressed: sometimes he
assaileth the enemies with
his owne hand, whereas
being thickest, they made
most resistance. He adui∣seth
his Souldiers, because
descriptionPage 534
all of them being disorde∣red,
hee could not com∣mand.
And now the day was
spent, when as yet the Bar∣barians
grewe nothing
slacke: and thinking the
night to aduantage them,
as the Kings had giuen or∣der,
they fell on more
fiercely. Then Marius ta∣keth
counsell from the ne∣cessity
of his affaires: and
that he might haue a place
of retreate for his owne
men, hee surprizeth two
hillockes being neere to∣gether:
in one of which,
not large enough for in∣camping,
there was a
goodly fountaine of wa∣ter:
the other was oppor∣tune
for vse, because be∣ing
descriptionPage 535
for the most part high
and steepe, it needed little
fortifying. Besides, hee
commandeth Sylla to stay
all night at the water with
the Horsemen. He him∣selfe
reallieth by degrees
the disbanded Souldiers
into one Grosse, the ene∣mies
being no lesse disor∣dered.
Then he withdraw∣eth
them all with a full
march vnto the hillocke.
Thus the Kings infor∣ced
with the difficulty of
the place, are deterred
from the fight. But both
hillockes being inuironed
with the multitude, and
not snffering their owne
men to depart further,
they quartered seuerally.
Vpō this, many fires being
descriptionPage 536
made, the Barbarians for
most part of the night re∣ioyce,
boast, and make
great outcries according
to their custome: and the
Captaines themselselues
were proud, because they
fled not; and carried them∣selues
as if they had beene
victorious.
But all these passages
were easily discerned by
the Romanes, out of the
darkenesse, and the higher
places; and serued them
for a great incouragement.
But most of all, Marius
being confirmed by the
vnskilfulnesse of the ene∣my,
commandeth the
greatest silence to be ob∣serued.
Not so much as
the warlike instruments
descriptionPage 537
did sound at the setting of
the watches. Then as soon
as the light approached,
the enemies being now
wearied, end not long be∣fore
attached with sleepe,
he commandeth the Trum∣pets
of the tributary
Troupes, with all those of
the Cohorts, Horse-Troupes,
and Legions, to
sound their instruments
all together; the Souldiers
had orders to raise a great
clamour, and to sally out
of the gates.
The Moores and Getu∣lians
being suddenly awa∣ked
with the strange and
hideous noise, could nei∣ther
flye, nor take armes,
nor make, nor prouide
any meanes of resistance.
descriptionPage 538
Thus all of them with the
clashing and clamour,
(no man comming to
their succours, our men
falling on with tumult,
terrour and feare) were
like mee suprized with an
astonishment. Finally, all
of them were rowted, and
chased: most of their
armes, and military En∣signes
were taken: and
more slaine in that battell,
then in all the former, for
by sleepe and the vncouth
terrour, flight was hin∣dred.
Thereupon Marius, as he
began, marcheth towards
his Winter Garrisons,
which because of victuals,
he resolued to haue in the
maritime Townes. Nei∣ther
descriptionPage 539
yet was hee growne
slouthfull, or insolent
with his victory, but euen
as if hee had beene in the
eye of his enemies, he ad∣uanceth
with his Army
marching in square battali∣ons.
Sylla on the right side
tooke charge with the
Horse-men, on the left
A. Manlius with the dar∣••••••s
and slingers, besides
the Ligurian Cohorts:
for Frontiers and bringers
vp, he placed the Tri∣bunes
with the light-ar∣med
Maniples. The fugi∣tiues,
who knew the
Country best, discouered
the enemies iourney with∣all
the Consull, as if no
man had beene imposed,
was prouident for all
descriptionPage 540
things: hee was present
with all, he••praysed, he re∣buked
those that deser∣ued:
he himselfe being ar∣med
and intentiue besides,
inforced the Souldiers to
their duties: nor other∣wise,
then if he had beene
in the sight of the enemy,
doth he dispose his mar∣ches,
doth he fortifie the
Camp, doth he send the
Legionary Cohorts to
watch at the Gate, the
auxiliary Horse-men be∣fore
the Camp: moreouer
he placeth others on the
Rampier of the workes,
he himselfe rouneth the
watches, not so much
from the distrust of the
performance of 〈◊〉〈◊〉,
which he commanded, as
descriptionPage 541
for that the Generals la∣bour
being made equall
with the Souldiers, they
might become the more
willing.
And verily Marius in
that and other times of the
Iugurthine warre, inforced
the Army more with
shame then punishment,
which many reported to
be done out of ambition;
because from his child∣hood,
he had accounted a
customary hardnesse, and
other things, which other
men call miseries, exerci∣ses
of pleasure. But yet the
Common-wealth, as well
as vnder the seuerest com∣mand,
was well and order∣ly
gouerned.
Moreouer on the fourth
descriptionPage 542
day following, not farre
from the Towne of Cir∣tha,
the skoutes hastily
shew themselues: by which
signe the enemy is knowne
to be neere. But because
they retaining diuersly,
seuerall men from seuerall
parts, & all of them signi∣fied
the same; the Con∣sull
doubtfull how to mar∣shall
his Army, the order
of it being nothing alte∣red,
hee makes a stand in
the same place, being pro∣uided
against all euents.
By this meanes Iugurths
hope was frustrated, who
had distributed his Ar∣my
into foure diuisi∣ons,
thinking that some
amongst them all would
equally fall on the enemies
descriptionPage 543
backs. In the meane time
Sylla, whom the enemies
first attached, incoura∣ging
his Souldiers, in
Troupe, and with their
horses in the closest order,
both he and others inuade
the Moores. The rest kee∣ping
their ground, defend
their bodies from the
dartes, that were cast a∣gainst
them from the hand;
and if any fell in their
power, they killed them.
Whilst the Horse-men
fight after this manner,
Bocchus with the Foot∣men,
which his sonne Vo∣lux
brought (and were not
in the former fight, be∣cause
they staid in their
iourney) sets vpon the
Rereward of the Romanes.
descriptionPage 544
Then Marius was amongst
the frontiers, because Iu∣gurth
was there with his
greatest Forces. Then the
Numidian, Bocchus his
comming being knowne,
secretly with some few
wheeleth about to the
Footmen: there in Latine
(for hee had learned to
speake it at Numantia) he
crieth our aloud, that ou••
men fought in vaine: that
Marius not long before
was slaine by his owne
hand: shewing therewith
all his sword imbrued
with blood, which in the
fight he had bloodied, in
killing a footman of our••
with great dexterity.
Which report as soone
as the Souldiers heard▪
descriptionPage 545
they were more terrified
with the foulenesse of the
fact, then with the credit
of the messengers tidings:
& therewithall the Barba∣rians
raised their spirits,
and fell on more fiercely
vpon the amazed Ro∣manes.
And now they
were vpon the point of fly∣ing,
when as Sylla hauing
discomfited those against
whom he went, returning
by the flanck, charged the
Moores: Bocchus is forth∣with
put to flight.
But Iugurth, whilst he en∣deauours
to releeue his
owne men, and to retaine
the victory, which was al∣most
gotten, being cir∣cumuented
by the Horse∣men
on euery side, all the
descriptionPage 546
rest of his retinue being
slaine, he alone escapeth
by flight amongst his ene∣mies
weapons. And Ma∣rius
in the interspace, ha∣uing
followed the chase
of the Horsemen, comes
to the succour of his Soul∣diers,
whom he had heard
to haue beene already put
to the worst. Finally, the
enemies were now rowted
in euery place. Then a hor∣rible
spectacle was seene
in the open fields: they
follow: they flie: they are
slaine: they are taken:
men and horses are ouer∣throwne
together: many
hauing receiued wounds,
could neither fly, nor take
rest: sometimes they
stroue to rise, and forh∣with
descriptionPage 547
fell downe: last of all,
as farre as the eye could
discerne, all places were
couered with weapons,
armes, and carkeises, and
amongst them the earth
was polluted with blood.
CHAP. 26.
Marius commeth to Cirtha.
Bocchus mediates for a
Treatie of Peace. L. Sylla
and A. Manlius are sent
Ambassadours vnto him.
FRom that place, the
Consull being victo∣rious,
without all per∣aduenture
came to the
Towne of Cirtha, whi∣ther
at first hee intended
descriptionPage 548
his iourney. Thither after
the fifth day, on which
the Barbarians had fought
the second time with ill
••uccesse, Ambassadours
from Bocchus arriued, who
requested of Marius in the
words of the King, that he
would send two of his
faithfullest friends vnto
him: that hee would treat
with them about things
commodious for himselfe,
and the people of Rome.
He forthwith commands
L. Sylla, & A. Manlius to go:
who although they went
as men sent for, yet it was
their pleasure to deliuer
some words to the King:
that so they might, either
alter his aduerse disposi∣tion,
or being desirous of
descriptionPage 549
peace, they might inflame
him more vehemently.
Sylla, to whose eloquence,
not age, Manlius gaue
place, expressed: himselfe
in few words after this
manner:
King Bocchus, we must
reioyce, since the gods ad∣monished
thee being so
great a person, that at
length, thou shouldest
desire peace rather then
warre: nor shouldest dis∣honour
thy selfe, being a
most excellent man, by
confederating with Iugurth
the worst of all men; with∣all,
that thou shouldest
take from vs a seuere neces∣sity
of persecuting they er∣rours
and his wickednesse.
Besides, it seemed good to
descriptionPage 550
the Romane people, be∣ing
poore euen from the
very beginning, to pro∣cure
friends rather then
seruants: & they thought
it safer to command ouer
those who were willing,
then those who were in∣forced.
But for thee, no friend∣ship
is more vsefull then
ours: first, because we are
farre remoued, in which
there is least cause of of∣fence,
and as equall cor∣respondency,
as if we were
neighbours: then, because
we haue parents aboun∣dantly,
of friends neither
we nor any man else had
euer enough. And would
to God this had pleased
thee from the beginning:
descriptionPage 551
then for certaine thou
hadst receiued more be∣nefits
from the people of
Rome, then thou hast suf∣fered
mischiefes.
But because Fortune
gouernes most of humane
affaires, whose pleasure
forsooth it was, that thou
shouldest trye both our
force, and fauour: now
since thou maist doe it by
her leaue, make haste, goe
on, as thou hast begunne.
Many and opportune
meanes thou hast to re∣deeme
thy errours the
more easily with good of∣fices.
Lastly, let this sinke
into thy brest, that the
people of Rome were ne∣uer
ouercome with bene∣fits:
for in warre, what
descriptionPage 552
they are able to doe, thou
thy selfe knowest.
To this Bocchus answe∣red
in few words, excu∣sing
withall his owne of
fence: That he had not taken
armes with any hostill inten∣tion,
but for the safety of his
Kingdome: that that part of
Numidia, from whence he
expelled Iugurth, was made
his owne by the right of warre
hee could not suffer that to be
wasted by Marius: moreouer
hauing sent Ambassadours to
Rome, hee had receiued a re∣pulse
of their friendship. But
he would omit old grieuances
and now, if hee might haue
Marius licence, he would sen••
Ambassadours to the Senate.
Then leaue being gran∣ted,
the Barbarians mind
descriptionPage 553
was altered by his friends;
whom Iugurth, fearefull of
what was intended, after
the knowledge of Sylla••
and Manlius Ambassage,
had corrupted with gifts.
CHAP. 27.
Marius draweth out some
Troupesito besiege the Kings
Towre. Bocchus some o∣ther
Ambassadours, of
whom three are sent to
Rome.
MArius, in the meane
time, his Army be∣ing
quartered in their
Winter Garrisons, mar∣cheth
into the Desarts,
with the light-armed Co∣horts,
descriptionPage 554
and a part of the
Cauallery, to besiege the
Towre royal, where Iugurth
had placed all the fugitiues
in Garrison. Then againe,
either from the Contem∣plation
of those things,
which had happened to
him in two seuerall bat∣tels,
or being admoni∣shed
by other friends,
whom Iugurth had left vn∣corrupted;
Bocchus sele∣cteth
fiue amongst all the
number of those that were
neerest vnto him, whose
fidelity was well knowne,
and whose iudgement
were mostable. He com∣mands
them to goe to Ma∣rius,
and from thence, i••
it were his pleasure, to
Rome: he grants them li∣cence
descriptionPage 555
to mannage his af∣faires,
and to compound
the warre vpon what
termes soeuer.
They trauaile speedily
towards the wintring pla∣ces
of the Romanes: then
being surprized and rob∣bed
in their iourney by
Getulian theeues, they re∣paire
to Sylla being feare∣full,
and vnseemely clad,
whom the Consull, going
vpon the expedition, had
left for Praetour. He enter∣tained
them not as vaine
enemies, according to
their deserts, but daintily
and liberally: vpon which
occasion the Barbarians
both thought the report
of the Romanes auarice to
be false, and Sylla for his
descriptionPage 556
munificence towards thē
to be their friend. For euen
then giuing was unknowne to
many: no man was thought
munificent, except willing
therewith all: all good things
were procured by bounty.
Vpon this they deliner
Bocchus chardge to the
Treasurer withall they re∣quest
of him, that hee
would be their fauourer
and Counseller: they mag∣nifie
in their speech the
Kings Forces, faith great∣nesse,
and what ••••se be∣sides
they thought would
be vsefull, or beneuolent
Then Sylla hauing promi∣sed
them his best furthe∣rance,
they being instru∣cted,
what they should
speake to Marius, what to
descriptionPage 557
the Senate, stayed therea∣bout
forty dayes.
After Marius, without
effecting the businesse, was
returned to Cirtha, as he
intended; being certified
of the arriuall of the Am∣bassadours,
he commands
both them and Sylla to
come to him from Vtica;
and with them L. Bellienus
Praetour of Vtica, besides
all men from all places of
the Senatorian Order:
with them hee informes
himselfe of ••ugurths Man∣dates;
in which licence
was giuen to the Ambassa∣dours
to goe to Rome:
in the interspace a Truce
was required of the Con∣sull.
These things pleased
Marius, and most men be∣sides:
descriptionPage 558
some few censured
more rigorously, as igno∣rant
of humane affaires,
which being fraile and in∣constant,
doe alwayes
change oppositly.
But the Moores hauing
all their requests granted,
three of them went to
Rome with Cn. Octauius Ru∣fo,
who being Treasurer
transported the pay into
Africke: two of them re∣turne
to the King. From
these Bocchus heard a∣mongst
other things, the
report of Syllaes bounty
and affection. And at
Rome to his Ambassa∣dours
requsting friend∣ship
and alliance, (after
they had confessed the
Kiug to haue erred, and
descriptionPage 559
to haue fallen into this
mischiefe by Iugurths villa∣ny)
an answere was made
after this manner:
That the Senate and people
of Rome were mindfull of a
benefit and iniury; but yet to
Bocchus, because he repen∣ted,
they gaue a pardon of
his offence: aliance and
friendship shall bee granted,
when he shall deserue it.
Which passages being
knowne, Bocchus intreateth
Marius by his letters, that
he would send Sylla vnto
him: by whose arbitration
they might prouide for
the common affaires. He
was sent with a Conuoy
of Horsemen, and Foot∣men
being Barbarian slin∣gers:
besides there went
descriptionPage 560
Archers, & the Pelignian
Cohort with their light
armes, because of making
the more expedition in
their iourney: neither
were they lesse defended
with these, then with o∣ther
armes, against the
enemies Darts, because
they are light also.
But on the fifth day, as
they iourneyed, Volux the
sonne of Bocchus, shewes
himselfe suddenly in the
openly fields, with no
more than a thousand
Horse, who marching
loosely and disorderly, re∣presented
to Sylla, & all the
rest, both a number grea∣ter
then truth, and a ho∣still
terrour besides. There∣fore
euery man makes rea∣dy:
descriptionPage 561
they try: they fixe
their armes and weapons:
their feare was something,
but their hope more,
as vnto vanquishers, and
against those, whom they
had often vanquished.
In the meane time the
Horsemen sent before to
discouer, brought tidings,
that all was quiet. Volux
comming neere, telleth the
Treasurer; that hee was
sent by his father Bocchus,
to meet and to guard
them: then ioyning their
Forces, they march that
and the next day together,
without feare. Afterwards
when they had pitched
their Tents, and the eue∣ning
was come, suddenly
the Moore trembling with
descriptionPage 562
a suptitious countenance
poasteth to Sylla: infor∣ming
him, that it was dis∣couered
by the skoutes,
that Iugurth was not farre
off, withall hee doth re∣quest
and perswade him,
that he would secretly fly
away with him by night.
He being of a haughty
mind, denies that he feares
the Numidian so often
vanquished: he was suffi∣ciently
confident of his
owne mens valour: yea if
certaine destruction were
at hand, he would rather
stay, then betraying those
whom he led, saue by a
shamefull flight an vncer∣taine
life, and subiect to
extinguishment by sicke∣nesse,
perhaps in a short
descriptionPage 563
time after. But being war∣ned
by him to dismarch
by night, he approues the
counsell: and forthwith he
commands the Souldiers
to suppe in their Tents, &
frequent fires to be made;
then in the first watch to
issue out with silence.
CHAP. 28.
Sylla being sent Ambassadour
to Bocchus, is likely to be
surprized by Iugurth. He
escapeth. Iugurth is be∣trayed
by Bocchus to the
Romanes.
ANd now all of them
being wearyed with
that nights iourney, Sylla
descriptionPage 564
euen with the rising of the
Sunne, measured out the
ground for incamping:
when as the Moorish
Horse-men bring tidings,
that Iugurth about the di∣stance
of two miles off,
had taken vp his Quarters
iust before them. After
which report was heard,
then especially terrour in∣uadeth
our Souldiers:
they beleeue that they are
betrayed by Volux, and
circumuented by his trea∣chery.
And there were
some, who said, that re∣uenge
was to be taken by
the hand, and so great a
villany in him was not to
passe without punish∣ment.
But Sylla, although he
descriptionPage 565
were of the same opinion,
yet he defends the Moore
from iniury: he perswades
his owne men, that they
would carry a courageous
mind: a few valiant men had
often fought fortunatly against
a multitude: by how much the
lesse they spared themselues in
fight, by so much the more they
would be safer: neither did it
beseeme any man, who had ta∣ken
armes in his hands, to
seeke succour from his vnar∣med
feet, and in the greatest
feare of all, to expose the body
naked and blind, vnto the ene∣mies
mercy. Then requi∣ring
Iupiter the greatest of
the gods, that he would
be present as a witnesse of
Bocchus villany, and trea∣chery;
he commands Vo∣lux,
descriptionPage 566
because hee commited
actions of hostility, to de∣part
the Camp.
He weeping intreateth
him, not to beleeue these
things: nothing was done
fraudulently, but rather
out of Iugurths cunning;
who skowting abroad had
discouered his iourney:
but because he had not any
great Forces; and all his
hopes and helpes depen∣ded
from his father; hee
was confident, that hee
durst enterprize nothing
openly, when as hee his
sonne was present for a
witnesse: wherefore it see∣med
the best course to
him, to passe in full view
through the middest of
the enemies Campe: him∣selfe,
descriptionPage 567
the Moors being sent
before, or left there, would
stay alone with Sylla.
This counsell, as it was re∣quisite
in such an exigent,
was allowed: & forthwith
dismarching, because they
came vnexpected, they pas∣sed
in safety, Iugurth being
doubtfull, & sticking vpon
delayes. Then within a few
dayes, they arriued where
they intended to goe.
There conuersed with
Bocchus a Numidian called
Aspar, much, and fami∣liarly:
he being premit∣ted
by Iugurth, (after hee
heard that Sylla was sent)
as an Agent, and a disco∣uerer
in policy of Bocchus
counsels: besides there
was Dabar, the son of Mas∣sagrada,
descriptionPage 568
of the race of
Massinissa, but vnequall
by the mothers side, for his
father was borne of a Con∣cubine;
being deare and
gracious, with the Moore
for many good Arts, with
which his mind was in∣dued,
whom Bocchus ha∣uing
formerly tryed by
many occurrences, to be
faithfull to the Romanes,
he sendeth him presently
with this message to Sylla,
that he was ready to doe
whatsouer the Romane
people would desire: that
himselfe should chuse a
day, time, and place for
imparlance: that he would
communicate all his coun∣sels
with him: neither
should he be afraid of lu∣gurths
descriptionPage 569
Ambassadour; for
dealing a freely in their
common affaires: other∣wise
he could not preuent
his trecheries.
But I find, that Bocchus
more out of a Punicke
faith, then for the regard
of what he said, detained
with the hope of peace,
both the Romanes, and
the Numidian: and was
wont to ponder much
with himselfe, whether he
should deliuer Iugurth to
the Romanes, or Sylla to
him. Desire against vs,
feare for vs did perswade.
Therefore Sylla answe∣reth,
that he would speake
some few words before
Aspar; the rest in secret,
none of a very few being
descriptionPage 570
present, withall he instru∣cteth
him, what answers
should be made vnto him∣selfe.
After, when they were
met according to appoint∣ment;
he sayes that he was
sent by the Consull, to de∣mand
whether he would
haue peace or warre.
Then the King, according
to his instructions, com∣mands
him to returne af∣ter
the tenth day; and tells
him that as yet he was re∣solued
on nothing, but on
that day would giue him
an answer. Then both of
them depart to their Tērs.
But when most of the
night was spent, Sylla is
secretly sent for by Boc∣chus:
onely faithfull inter∣preters
descriptionPage 571
are admitted by
them. Besides Dabar an in∣termessenger,
a deuout
man, sweares sincerely to
them both. Then the King
thus begins:
I neuer thought, it
would come to passe, that
I being the greatest King
in all this Land, and of all
that I know the most opu∣lent,
should owe a courte∣sie
to a priuate man. And
verily Sylla, before I knew
thee, to many men vpon
request, to others freely I
haue giuen reliefe; I my
selfe wanted nothing: I
reioyce, that I am difina∣bled
in this, which others
are wont to greeue at. It
shall be precious to me,
descriptionPage 572
that I sometimes haue
wanted thy friendship,
then which I esteeme no∣thing
dearer in my mind:
of this so farre thou maist
make a tryall: armes, men,
and money, finally what∣soeuer
pleaseth thee, take
and vse: and while thou
liuest, thou shalt neuer
thinke the courtesie requi∣ted,
with me it shall re∣maine
intire: moreouer, if
I may know it, thou shalt
desire nothing in vaine.
For as I thinke, it is lesse dis∣honour
for a King to be ouer∣come
by armes, then by muni∣ficence.
But concerning your
Commonwealth, whose
Agent thou art hither
descriptionPage 573
sent, heare this in a few
words. I neuer made war
with the people of Rome,
nor euer was willing that
warre should be made:
with armes against armed
men I defended my bor∣ders:
I passe ouer this.
Since it is your pleasure,
wage warre with Iugurth,
as you will: I will not goe
beyond the riuer Mulu∣cha,
which was the Fron∣tier
betwixt me and Micip∣sa,
neither will I suffer
Iugurth to attempt it. Be∣sides,
whatsoeuer you
shall request, that is wor∣thy
of me and your selues,
you shall not depart with
repulse.
To this Sylla replyed
descriptionPage 574
briefly for himselfe, for
that which concerneth
peace, and the common
affaires more at large; fi∣nally,
hee reuealeth this
secret to the King, That he
must assure him, that the peo∣ple
of Rome, in regard they
had beene victorious in the
warre, would not receiue him
into fauour: hee must doe
something, which might seeme
to concerne their profit, more
then his owne: hee had a
faire opportunitie of this,
as hauing Iugurth in his
power: whom if hee deliue∣red
to the Romanes, they
should bee much indebted
to him: then friendshippe,
aliance, and that part of
Numidia, which hee re∣quested,
descriptionPage 575
would freely fall vn∣to
him.
The King at first refu∣sed;
alledging, that kin∣dred,
aliance, and a
League besides had pas∣sed
betwixt them: more∣ouer
hee feared, lest by
the breach of his faith he
should alienate the affe∣ctions
of his subiects; vn∣to
whom both Iugurth
was deare, and the Ro∣manes
hatefull. At length
being often sollicited, he
••s reconciled, and pro∣miseth
to doe all things,
••hat Sylla would require.
But for the counterfeiting
••f peace, of which the
Numidian wearie of the
warre, was most desi∣rous,
descriptionPage 576
they framed pre∣tences,
which seemed ex∣pedient.
Thus the de∣ceite
being composed,
they depart seuerally.
But the King on the
next day calls for Aspar••
and tells him, that hee
vnderstood from Sylla
by Dahar, that the warre
might be compounded
vpon conditions: where∣fore
hee should demand
his Kings intention. Hee
being ioyfull, goes to Iu∣gurths
Campe. Then in
structed in all things by
him, hee returnes, ha∣uing
hastened his iour∣ney,
after eight dayes,
vnto Bocchus; and bring
tidings, that Iugurth wa••
descriptionPage 577
willing to doe, whatso∣euer
was commanded:
but hee was diffident of
Marius: that heretofore
••eace being contracted
with the Romanes, had
••eene frustrated: but if
••••••chus would haue a
••••••hing done conncellable
••or both, and a peace
••stablished, hee should
••••deauour, that all par∣••••es
might meet toge∣••••er,
as if they were to
••••eate about it: and
••••ere hee should deliuer
••••lla into his hands:
••hen hee had such a
〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his power, then
〈◊〉〈◊〉 League would bee
〈◊〉〈◊〉 by order from the
••••••nate, and people of
descriptionPage 578
Rome: neither would
they forsake a Noble∣man
being in the ene∣mies
power, not by the
default of his own cowar∣dise,
but for the Com∣mon-wealths
cause.
The Moore pondering
this long with himselfe,
at length hee ingageth
his promise. But whe∣ther
he delayed the ex∣cution
out of cunning, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
sincerity, wee find lit∣tle
certainety. But the wills
of Kings are for the most
part, as vehement, as in∣constant,
often contrary to
themselues.
Afterwards a time and
place being appoint∣ed,
as if it had bee••
to meet vpon a Trea∣ty
descriptionPage 579
of peace, Bocchus some∣times
calls for Sylla, some∣times
for Iugurths Ambas∣sadour:
hee intertaineth
••hem curteously: he pro∣miseth
the same to both.
They were ioyfull alike,
••nd full of good hope.
But on that night, which
was the next before the
••ay appointed for em∣••••rlance,
the Moore,
some friends being ad∣mitted,
and forthwith re∣moued
his resolution
••hanging, hee is said to
••aue deliberated much
with himselfe: expressing
••ariety in his counte∣••••ance,
colour and mo∣••on
of body, euen as he
••••id in his mind: which
descriptionPage 580
signes, hee himselfe be∣ing
silent, reuealed has
inward secrets: yet at
length hee command∣eth
Sylla to bee sent
for: and by his aduice
he prepareth snares for
the Numidian. Then
when the day came,
and a message was deli∣uered
vnto him of Iu∣gurths
approach: with
some few friends, and
our Treasurer, as if hee
went to meet him for ho∣nours
sake, hee adua••∣ceth
vnto a little h••ll
that was easily to bee
seene by the Ambusheers.
Thither the Numidia••
comes vnarmed with
some few attendants▪
descriptionPage 581
as it was ordered; and
suddenly a signall being
giuen, hee is inuaded on
all sides out of the am∣bushments.
The rest are
slaine: Iugurth is deliuered
bound to Sylla, and by
him conueyed to Marius.
In the interspace of this,
our men fought vnfortu∣nately
against the Gaules,
vnder the conduct of their
Generals L. Scipio and M.
Manlius: with the terrour
whereof all Italy trem∣bled,
and both they and
the Romanes euen to our
memory, were of this opi∣nion,
that all things were
prone to their proper ver∣tue:
with the Gaules they
cōtended for safety, not for
descriptionPage 582
glory. But after the warre
was finished in Numidia,
and tidings came, that Iu∣gurth
was brought bound
to Rome, Marius being
absent, was chosen
Consull; and Gaule was
decreed for his Prouince:
and he in the Kalends of
Ianuary triumphed with
great glory being Con∣sull.
From that time the
hopes and helps of the
Citty relyed on him.
FINIS.
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