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. 6.

1. The Humour of the Lords, the opposition of Memmius, the subtility of Iugurth 2. The Romans first preparation to warre. 3. frustrated by Iugurth.

AFter intelligence heerof was cer∣tified at Rome, and the matter began to be expostulated in Se∣nate, the olde fauourites of the King, sometime by interuption, and sometime by faire speeches, intermingled with foule, found occasions by protraction of time to adde hopes of mittigation of the offence. And if C. Memmius a 1.1 Tribune elect of the people, a man of an vndaunted spirit, and much offended at the insolencies of the Gentry, had not preferred an in∣formation to the people against Iugurth, howe matters were carried, (viz:) that by a few factious Cittizens the offender was likely to bee pardoned; without doubt all displeasure had bin forgotten by procrastination of con∣sultations: Of so great moment were fauour and Mony.

2 But the popular feare awakeneth the Drousie spi∣rits of the Lordes of the Senate, to recall to their memo∣ries the inexcusable management of this foul fact. By the Lawe Sempronia, Numidia and Italy, are the appointed prouinces for the future Consuls: P. Scipio Nasica, and L. Calphurnius Bestia are nominated. The lot of Numidia fell vpon Calphurnius; of Italy, vpon Scipio. Wages and al o∣ther ammonitions necessary for warre are proportioned for the Army of Affricke: Iugurth, contrary to immagi∣nation (being beyond doubt perswaded that all thinges would to contentment be managed at Rome for money) by message hearing heereof, sendeth his own sonne with two of his trustiest Counsellors in Ambassage to the Se∣nate. To these he giueth in strict charge (as he had done at the death of Hyempsal) to worke vppon all creatures with money.

After their arriuall at Rome, the Senate was demanded by Bestia, if it were their pleasures that Iugurths Messen∣gers should bee suffered to enter within their walles. For answere, they replyed, that vnlesse he would personallie appeare before the Counsell Table, and there simply sur∣render

himselfe and his kingdome; that his Legats with∣in ten daies next immediately following, should get them packing out of the confines of Italy; at perill. The Con∣sull acquainteth the Numidians with the decree of the Counsell: acordingly they departed without satisfaction to any thing they demanded.

Meane time Calphurnius, mustreth his army, entertai∣neth gentlemen, and amongst them some factious spirits, whose greatnesse he made account should be his protec∣tion, against errors and calumnies: of these Scaurus made one, of whose carriage and behauiour wee haue alreadie related.

The Consull by nature was qualified with many good parts, both of minde and body, if Auarice onely had not blemished their purities: Indurable of labour, quicke of apprehension, reasonable circumspect, an indifferent sol∣diour, and valourous in daungers and suddaine enter∣prizes.

By this time the legions were arriued at b 1.2 Rhegium, from thence they set saile for Sicill, and so to Affrique.

3. In the beginning of his first arriuall, being wel pro∣uided of necessaries, he made sharpe warre vppon Numi∣dia, tooke Prisoners, and some Citties by strong hande. But after he had once talked with the bribing Messengers of Iugurth, who made the sharpenesse of the present war the colour of their Ambassage, the mind of Calphurnius, distempred with the Lethargy of Auarice, relented•• Scau∣rus was taken to be the Prime-moter & Minister of al his Counsels: who although in the beginning he had oppo∣sed with no small integrite against Iugurths faction, not∣withstanding at last, the Massi•• minerall of Gold, from Good and Virtuous, gaue him the imputation of wicked and Impious.

The next Stratagem that Iugurth bribed for, was only a surcease from Arms: Vpon hopes that time by rewards or fauour would produce some milder fortune.

But lastly, when he heard that Scaurus was put in ioynt-Commissioner to take order in the businesse, his former hopes were redoubled, to recouer an assured peace, and

thereupon grew resolute personally, to fall to composition concerning all Controuersies.

Hereupon (for good-meanings-sake) Sextus the Trea∣surer, is sent as a pleadge to Vacca, Iugurths Towne, but vnder pretence of receiuing the corne which Calphurnius had commaunded the Messengers d 1.3 in open audience to prouide, for that the treaty of truce was to be prolonged, according to Iugurths delay in capitulating.

Whereupon the King (according to promise) maketh his appearance in the Campe, where speaking some few wordes before the Councell, in extenuation of the harsh construction which men made of his offence, he desireth to be receiued to mercy: what hee had more to say, hee communicateth with Bestia and Scaurus in secret.

And so the day following, a generall opinion beeing e 1.4 demaunded, according to the Law Satyra, hee yeeldeth, and is receiued, with condition set downe by the Coun∣sell, that he should pay thirty Elephants, a proportion of Cattell, like number of Horses, and no small quantity of Siluer; which were accordingly deliuered vnto the Trea∣surer. This done, Calphurnius iournyeth towards Rome, to procure allowance of the decreed truce from the Senate, leauing good directions, both in Numidia, and our army, for obseruation of the peace.

Notes

• a 1.1

  In proximum annum.
• b 1.2

  Oppidū Calabriae
• d 1.3

  Vt vulti••ne, iu∣b••tisne cum Iu∣gurtha bellum componatur.
• e 1.4

  Ne quid sinistri vulgus suspicare∣tur.