The tvvo most vvorthy and notable histories which remaine vnmained to posterity (viz:) the conspiracie of Cateline, vndertaken against the gouernment of the Senate of Rome, and the vvarre which Iugurth for many yeares maintained against the same state. Both written by C.C. Salustius.

CHAP. 2.

1. The description of Affricke. 2. The first inhabitants.

ORder calleth vpon mee briefely to discourse of the scituation of Af∣frique, as also to shew what Nati∣ons liued with vs in warre, or ami∣ty. But as for those places & coun∣tries, which either for their extream rough mountaines, or vast deserts, lie vnfrequented, I wil but point at randon: the residue I will discourse of in shortest maner.

In the diuision of the Terrestriall Globe, some attribute vnto Affrick a third part: othersome, speaking onely of Asia and Europe, containe Affrique in Europe. Westward it boundeth vpon the Mediterranean and Ocean seas: East∣ward vpon those steepe mountaines, which the inhabi∣tants tearme Catabathmon. The sea is stormy, the shores without hauens, the soile firtill of grain, plentifull for Ca∣tell, but vnapt for trees. It hath few springs, and litle rain: The people are heathfull of body, swift of foote, and in∣durable of labour. Many, who come not to vntimelie deaths, by the sword or wild beasts, would outliue the ac∣customed course of mans age, if nature failed not; for it is sildome heard that any die by sicknesse: yet is the whole land stored with infinite swarmes of venemous wormes, and beasts of prey.

But what people possessed the a Country in the begin∣ning: who afterwards arriued, or how they becam min∣gled one with another, though diuersity of opinions pos∣sesse priuate fancies, yet as we are letten to vnderstand by the interpretation of those Punique bookes, which were said to be Hiempsals, we will as briefly as we may, relate as the case standeth what the Natiues report for truth in this matter. Let euery man giue credite, as he pleaseth to fan∣cie it.

2 The Getuli and Libians, an vnciuill and barbarous peo∣ple, feeding vpon raw flesh, and the fruits of the Earth (as Beastes) did first inhabit this Countrey. They were ney∣ther gouerned by Nature, neither by Law, nor superiori∣ty: wilde, stragling, without leader, and there resting, where night ouertooke them. But after that Hercules (saith the Affricans) dyed in Spaine, his Army composed of di∣uers Nations, hauing lost their Captaine, in short time disbanded, by reason of the disagreement, and ambition of their Leaders. Of these companies the Medes, Persians, and Armenians, beeing transported into Affrique by ship∣ping, seized vppon the Sea-coastes of the Mediterranean. The Persians tooke vp their Seates more inward toward the Ocean, and turning the Keeles of their Boats vpwards, vsed them, in liew of better buildinges: for neyther the soile affoorded Timber, neyther was it lawfull to buy or barter for any in Spaine. Further Traffique, the Great Sea & ignorance of forreine languages, prohibited.

In processe of time, by intermariages with the Getuli, they became one Nation, and for their wandering from place to place, to prooue the goodnesse of pasturage for their Cattaile, they tearmed themselues b Numidae. Euen vnto this day, those vpland buildinges of the Numidians, which they tearme Mapalia, Cottages, are a kind of buil∣ding edgelong on the top, and broad-wasted below, in a manner resembling the bottomes of ouerwhelmed Ship∣ping.

Vnto the Medes and Armenians, arriued the Libians, for they conuersed more neerer the Affrican Sea. The Ge∣tuli liued more neere the Sunne, almost vnder the Tro∣pique; and by reason of the small distance of Sea between Spaine and them, they built Townes in short time, and gaue themselues to Traffique and Nauigation. By assi∣duity the Libians corrupted their Names, and of Medi in their barbarous languages, called them Mauri.

The fortunes of the Persians in short time flourished: whereupon vnder the name of Numidae, in regard of their multitudes, taking leaue of their Parents, they seated thē∣selue, in the Territories next adioyning to Carthage, and

after their own names Numidia.

After some continuance ofc time, the one Nation making vse of the other, they inforced their neigh∣bours either for loue or feare to subiection. They be∣came famous, & augmented their glories in greater mea∣sure, then those that were nearer seated towardes ^d our Seas. For the Lybians were not so warlike as the Getuli. So for the most part, the lower part of Affrica was wholy possessed by the Numidians, and the e victor imposed his owne name vpon the conquered people and country.

Againe, the Phaeniceans, some to diminish their home∣bred multitudes, and some of the Comminalty desirous of aduancement, and other some, in loue of nouelties, ar∣riued vpon the Sea-costs, and there built Hippon, Adrume∣tum, Leptis and many other Citties, which in short time grew admirable famous; many whereof in future ages at some seasons, gaue great assistance, and at all times conti∣nued an honour to their first and ancient Countrimen.

I holde it more wisedome to silence the Originall off Carthage, then to write thereof sparingly, because time calleth me to make hast of another discourse.

Neere vnto Cathabathmon (the frontier betweene Af∣fricke and Egipt) in the higher sea, first appeareth Ciren, Colonia Thereon, the two g Sirtes, betweene them Leptis, and then Arae philenorum: Heere endeth the Carthaginian Dominion towardes Egipt: Beyond, are some Citties of the Punique iurisdiction; the residue, the Numidians pos∣sesse as farre as Mauritania. The Moores lie nearest Spaine. Beyonde the Numidians (men say) that the Getuli liue, some in homely Cottages, some, more rudely, to wander as Vagarants. Beyond them, the Ethiopians, and beyond them againe, all places to be scorched with extreamity of heat.

Notes

• a

  Pauca ci••itates, ••••rint Origin••m.
• b

  A Graeca voce vemein, i. pascers: vnde d••rmatur di∣ctio, Nomades, i. vagab••ndi pascen∣tes.
• c

  Numidae Car∣thagiu•••• sium, & Carthaginensis Numidarum.
• e

  Viclis victorum nomen inditur.
• f

  Cum eius Origo & fama factarū, ingentem deposcat historiam.
• g

  Duo arenosa loca in mari.