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. 29.

The fortunate suprising of a strong Castle by a strange aduenture. 2, An honorable testimony of Sillaes worthinesse.

BVt these matters hauing thus fortunately succeeded, the Consull sets forward to other Townes, some few whereof he tooke by force, the Numidians resisting; but the greater number were abandoned and left desolate by reason of the former calamities of the Capsians de∣stroyed by fire, euery place was filled with griefe and slaughter. At length, hauing gained many places, and those for the most part, without losse of any Roman bloud, he vndertooke another exploit, not altogither so toilsome as was that of the Capsians, yet no lesse difficult. Not farre from the Riuer of Mulucha, that deuides the kingdome of Iugurth and Bocchus, there is a rocke or stony mountayne in the midst of a plaine, whereon was scituated a rude ca∣stle, large enough, but of an incredible heigth, hauing one only narrow entrance into it: The discent of this rocke was naturally so steepe, as if purposely it had been so built by the hands of workmen; Marius with all his endeuours intended to force this Castle, for that the Kinges treasure lay there, which he effected, (but rather by chaunce than cunning) for in the Castle was sufficient prouision, both of men, munition and corne, as also a spring of water.

Moreouer, the scituation thereof was such, as by no meanes was assaultable, eyther by Mounts, Towers, Tur∣rets, or other warlike Engines, the entry thereinto being very narrow, trauersed and cut on both sides: Our appro∣ches also were made to no purpose, and with great perril, for as they came neere the wall, they were beaten downe and destroyed with fire and stones; So as the Souldiers could neither performe their workes for the steepnesse of the place, nor serue without perill in their approches: The valiantest were either slaine or wounded, and feare aug∣mented in the rest.

But Marius after many daies, and much labour, with great perisiuenesse pondered with himselfe, whether hee should for go this enterprize, wherein he seemed to labour in vaine, or attend his fortune, which had oft times proo∣ued succesfull vnto him: These things hauing many daies and nights reuolued in his mind, it fell out that a certaine Ligurian, a common souldior of his auxiliary cohorts, by chance comming to a water not farre from that side of

of the Castle, which was opposite to the besiege••s, found certaine Periwinckles creeping among the stones: wher∣of when hee had taken vp first one, then another, and so sought others, was by this desire of gathering more, by lit∣tle and little brought vp to the toppe of the Mountaine: where seeing the coast cleare and void of people, foorth∣with (according to the condition of men) a desire of ex∣ploiting great matters entred into his conceit. There grew in the same place a great Holme-tree amongst the stones, being a little bended downe towards the ground, & forth∣with winding vpward (as is the Nature of all Vegitalles) and shoottng it selfe on high towards the top of the Ca∣stle: by the helpe whereof, the Ligurian somtimes taking holde on the armes thereof, sometimes on the outmost stones of the wall, climbed to the top, where vndisc••rued of any, he descried the whole plaine of the Castle, for that the Numidians were then absent, busily imployed in fight against the besiegers. The souldier hauing searched & spy∣ed out all things which he thought needfull, returned the same way hee came, not rashly as hee ascended, but with great regard and Caution. Forthwith he retired to Mari∣us, declaring what hee had done, and aduised him to at∣tempt the Castle on that side, from whence he had discē∣ded, offering himselfe for a guid, and alledging that there was no hazard or perril in the enterprise. Marius forthwith commanded such as were then present to go with the Li∣gurian, to try the truth of this information: who retur∣ning made diuers reports thereof, euery man according to his fancy, some esteeming it to be an easie, some a difficult enterprise. But the Consull began to be of better cheare, and forthwith out of his number of Trumpiters and Cor∣nets he selected fiue, the most nimble and light amongest them, and withall foure Centuries for their aide and suc∣cour: All which he willed to be at the commaund of the Ligurian, vnto whom hee appointed the next day for the execution of this seruice, who at the time limited, accor∣ding to his commandement, hauing prepared and ordred all things necessary, repaired vnto the said place.

The Centurions by the direction of their guid, changed

both their armes and apparrel, and went with their heads and feet bare, to the end that they might the better see a∣bout them, and climb with more steadinesse. Their swords as also their Targets (which according to the Numidian fashion were made of Leather, as well for their lightnes, as for that in their clashing together they made the least noise) were fastned at their backs. The Ligurian then clim∣bing vp before the rest, tyed cords vnto such stones, and olde Mores or rootes, as hung out beyond the rest of the wall, that the souldiers taking holde thereon, might the more easily ascend: such as were fearefull thorough the strangenesse of the way, he holpe vp with his handes, and where the ascent was steepest, hee caused them to climbe vnarmed, himselfe following with their armor. Such pla∣ces as to the eie seemed most dangerous, himselfe chieflie assaved; ascending, descending, and going forwards, en∣couraging the rest to follow. At length, but late and sore wearied, they became Maisters of the Castle, which on that side was left vnregarded, for that those of the castle, were then, as at other times imployed in fight against their enemies.

Marius hauing by Messengers vnderstood what the Ligurian had done, albeit he had all that day entertained fight with the Numidians, yet then encouraging his soul∣diers, issued out from his defenses, and with Engines ap∣proached the Walles, threatning them also aloofe with slings, Artillery, and other Ordinance. But the Numidi∣ans hauing formerly broken downe and burnt the appro∣ches of the Romans, contained not themselues within the wals of the Castle, but day and night passed to an fro on the outside thereof, rayling at the Romans and reproching Marius with cowardice; menacing our souldiers to make them bond-slaues vnto Iugurth, and by meanes of theyr good fortune grew fierce and insolent.

But now as the Romans and Numidians were in earnest conflict, each encountring other with great violence, thes fighting for glory and Empire, they for their liues & safe∣ties; the Ligurian on the sudden sounded an allarme at their backs, whereat, first ran away the women and chil¦dren,

that were placed to behold the battell; next, such as were nearest vnto the walles, and lastly the whole compa∣ny, aswell armed as disarmed, betook themselues to flight: The which so chancing, the Romans began to charge the more furiously; they slew and wounded diuers, and tram∣pling on their dead bodies, enforced themselues to ascend the wall. Thus Fortune still fauoured the ouerweening rashnesse of Marius, & in his owne error, he found glory.

2 These passages thus depending, meane time Lucius Silla the Questor arriued in the Campe, with a great troop of Horse. He had beene left behinde in Rome, to raise an Army of Latines and Allies their confederates; But forso∣much as we are now fallen into discourse of so renowned a man, it will not be amisse to treat somewhat of his Na∣ture and conditions, for hence-forward we shall haue no occasion to speake of his actions: and Lucius Sisenna, who of all others that haue written of him, hath with greatest dilligence, and most faith pursued the History, seemeth to me, not to haue spoken liberally and freely enough of his worthinesse.

Scilla then was nobly descended from the race of a Pa∣trician, but his Gentry was almost extinct and worne out by the sloth of his auncestors. He was alike and excellent∣ly learned, both in Greeke and Latine; of a haughty cou∣rage, addicted to his pleasures, but more to glory: his va∣cant howers were spent in Luxury, yet pleasure neuer hin∣dred his affayres: Only he might haue better aduised him selfe in the choice of a more honest wife. He was eloquēt, subtile, sociable, and in dissembling or disguising his in∣tents, the depth of his wit was incredible: He was liberal in guifts, chiefly of his money: and before the ciuill Con∣quest (albeit he was the most happie of all others) yet for∣tune neuer exceeded his industry, insomuch as many dou∣bted, whether he was more vertuous or fortunate: But for his latter actions, I am vncertaine whether it wil more shame or grieue me to repeat them.

Then as is before said, when he came with his troope of horse into Affricke, and the campe of Marius (being be∣fore a Nouice and vnexperienced in the warres) in a short

season with fewe bickerings, became the most cunning & expert leader amongst the Romans. Moreouer, he would kindly entreate his souldiers, giue liberally to such as de∣manded, as also voluntary to others: he could hardly bee drawne to take any thing; but more ready to returne it with recompence, then to pay a iust debt. He neuer rede∣manded any thing lent, but rather endeuoured to haue as many as he could, remaine his debtors. His fashion was to discourse both pleasantly and seriously, with the basest and men of meanest ranke, and would very often bee a∣mongst them in their labours, their marches, and theyr watchings, neither in the meane while (as lewd ambition is accustomed) would he with slanders wound the honor and reputation, either of the Consull, or any other. In di∣rection or execution he suffred no man to go beyond him, but heerein himselfe excelled the most part: and by these meanes in a short space, hee became indeared both vnto Marius and the souldiers.