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. 3.

1. The estate of Affrique in the beginning of these warres. 2 Iugurths cunning carriage. 3. He prouoketh his Brother to fight, and routeth his Army.

1. IN this warre, the Roman peo∣ple did gouerne many of the Punique Townes, and al those Territories, which were lately conquered from the Carthagi∣nians, by their Lieutenantes: A great part of the Getuli and the Numidians, (as far as the flood Mulucha) were Subiect to Iugurth: King Bochus was Lorde of the Moores, by re∣port onely knowne to the Romaines; otherwaies, neuer heard of either in times of war, or treaties of peace. Thus haue I spoken enough to purpose, as concerning the sci∣tuation of Affricke, and the people who inhabit it.

2. The diuision of the kingdome beeing determined, the Commissioners returned, and Iugurth contrary to his owne feares, hauing obtained a reward for his Treason, began to call vnto mind, how he had heard his friends at Numantia report, That all things were vendible at Rome. Vpon assurance whereof, concurring with the late pro∣testations of his corrupted fauourites, being incouraged, he resolued to make a proofe vpon the kingdome of Ad∣herbal. The inuader was violent, and valourous: the in∣vaded, peaceable; No souldier; Of a frolicke disposition; Disgistiue of iniuries; Fearefull, rather then to be feared.

Whereupon, Iugurth taketh the occasion, and vpon the sodaine strongly inuadeth his frontiers, maketh booty of men and Cattle, fiereth villages, & sheweth himselfe in warlike aray with his horsmen before many good towns. This Brauado performed, he retireth with his people into his owne kingdome, coniecturing, that Adherbal coulde

not but take this hostile outrage to heart, and in like mea∣sure cry quittance: which if he did, then was his desires sa∣tisfied, for this would he pretend to bee the cause of the quarrell.

But Adherbal, for that hee knew himselfe inferiour in forces, and reposed greater confidence in the friendship of the Roman people, then in his Numidians, dispatcheth Messengers to Iugurth, to complaine of these outrages. Who although they reported nothing backe again, saue contumelious Language, yet sat he still, with full resolu∣tion to suffer all manner of disgraces, rather then to begin the War, because to his losse he had lately felt the smart thereof. The ambition of Iugurth neuer the more relen∣ted, he had already in conceit swallowed the whol king∣dome: And thereupon, not now, as before, he maketh a cursory and pillaging iourny into the Country, but mar∣cheth souldier-like in the middest of his armed battalions, and layeth an open claime to the Crowne of al Numidia. As he goeth, he wasteth Cities, and depopulateth Villa∣ges, taketh prizes, incorageth his followers, and danteth his enemies.

3 Adherbal perceiuing no meane courses auaileable, but that he must either fight, or flye, vpon very necessity leuieth forces, and resolueth to seeke Iugurth. They had not marched many dayes, but both Armies approacheth neare vnto Cirtha, a Town scituated not far from the sea. This happened towards the Euening, no fit time to dar∣raigne a battaile. But about mid-night, after the going downe of the Moone, vpon a signall giuen, the souldiers of Iugurth giue a Camisado vpon the campe of Adherbal, some they slay halfe awakened in their beds, others run∣ning to their armes, they put to flight, and cut in peeces. Adherbal with some fewe horsemen posteth vnto Cirtha, where, if a strong troope of Citizens had not forced the pursuing Numidians to retire frō the wals, without doubt one day had decided the quarell of a kingdome, Iugurth layeth his siege round about the Towne, prepareth vines, raiseth Towers, and beginneth a breach with all sorts of Engines; yea, and to frustrate the arriuall of the Ambas∣sadors,

who as he heard say, were sent from Adherball to∣wardes Rome, before the day of battell, hee hasteneth the siedge with all possible diligence.

Notes

• Lucan. Nulla fides regni soci••s, omnis qu•• po••e••••as impa∣tiens consortis erit.