The Jugurthine War (Sallust)

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	The Jugurthine War Author: Sallust	Translator: John Selby Watson
91	Ceterum in itinere cottidie pecus exercitui per centurias , item turmas aequaliter distribuerat et , ex coriis utres uti fierent , curabat ; simul inopiam frumenti lenire et ignaris omnibus parare quae mox usui forent . Denique sexto die , cum ad flumen ventum est , maxima vis utrium effecta . Ibi castris leui munimento positis milites cibum capere atque , uti simul cum occasu solis egrederentur , paratos esse iubet , omnibus sarcinis abiectis aqua modo seque et iumenta onerare . Dein postquam tempus visum , castris egreditur , noctemque totam itinere facto consedit ; idem proxima facit ; dein tertia multo ante lucis adventum pervenit in locum tumulosum ab Capsa non amplius duum milium interuallo , ibique quam occultissime potest cum omnibus copiis opperitur . Sed ubi dies coepit et Numidae nihil hostile metuentes multi oppido egressi , repente omnem equitatum et cum iis uelocissimos pedites cursu tendere ad Capsam et portas obsidere iubet ; deinde ipse intentus propere sequi neque milites praedari sinere . Quae postquam oppidani cognovere , res trepidae , metus ingens , malum improuisum , ad hoc pars civium extra moenia in hostium potestate coegere , uti deditionem facerent . Ceterum oppidum incensum , Numidae puberes interfecti , alii omnes venumdati , praeda militibus divisa . Id facinus contra ius belli non auaritia neque scelere consulis admissum , sed quia locus Iugurthae opportunus , nobis aditu difficilis , genus hominum mobile , infidum , ante neque beneficio neque metu coercitum .	On his march he distributed daily, to each division of the infantry and cavalry, an equal portion of the cattle, and gave orders that water-bottles should be made of their hides; thus compensating, at once, for the scarcity of corn, and providing, while all remained ignorant of his intention, utensils which would soon be of service. At the end of six days, accordingly, when he arrived at the river, a large number of bottles had been prepared. Having pitched his camp, with a slight fortification, he ordered his men to take refreshment, and to be ready to resume their march at sunset; and, having laid aside all their baggage, to load themselves and their beasts only with water. As soon as it seemed time, he quitted the camp, and, after marching the whole night, encamped again. The same course he pursued on the following night, and on the third, long before dawn, he reached a hilly spot of ground, not more than two miles distant from Capsa, where he waited, as secretly as possible, with his whole force. But when daylight appeared, and many of the Numidians, having no apprehensions of an enemy, went forth out of the town, he suddenly ordered all the cavalry, and with them the lightest of the infantry, to hasten forward to Capsa, and secure the gates. He himself immediately followed, with the utmost ardor, restraining his men from plunder. When the inhabitants perceived that the place was surprised, their state of consternation and extreme dread, the suddenness of the calamity, and the consideration that many of their fellow-citizens were without the walls in the power of the enemy, compelled them to surrender. The town, however, was burned; of the Numidians, such as were of adult age, were put to the sword; the rest were sold, and the spoil divided among the soldiers. This severity, in violation of the usages of war, was not adopted from avarice or cruelty in the consul, but was exercised because the place was of great advantage to Jugurtha, and difficult of access to us, while the inhabitants were a fickle and faithless race, to be influenced neither by kindness nor by terror.
92	Postquam tantam rem Marius sine ullo suorum incommodo peregit , magnus et clarus antea , maior atque clarior haberi coepit . Omnia non bene consulta in virtutem trahebantur : milites , modesto imperio habiti simul et locupletes , ad caelum ferre ; Numidae magis quam mortalem timere ; postremo omnes , socii atque hostes , credere illi aut mentem divinam esse aut deorum nutu cuncta portendi . Sed consul , ubi ea res bene evenit , ad alia oppida pergit , pauca repugnantibus Numidis capit , plura deserta propter Capsensium miserias igni corrumpit : luctu atque caede omnia complentur . Denique multis locis potitus ac plerisque exercitu incruento aliam rem aggreditur , non eadem asperitate qua Capsensium , ceterum haud secus difficilem . Namque haud longe a flumine Muluccha , quod Iugurthae Bocchique regnum diiungebat , erat inter ceteram planitiem mons saxeus , mediocri castello satis patens , in immensum editus , uno perangusto aditu relicto ; nam omnis natura uelut opere atque consulto praeceps . Quem locum Marius , quod ibi regis thesauri erant , summa vi capere intendit . Sed ea res forte quam consilio melius gesta . Nam castello virorum atque armorum satis et magna vis frumenti et fons aquae ; aggeribus turribusque et aliis machinationibus locus importunus ; iter castellanorum angustum admodum , utrimque praecisum . Ea vineae cum ingenti periculo frustra agebantur ; nam cum eae paulo processerant , igni aut lapidibus corrumpebantur . milites neque pro opere consistere propter iniquitatem loci neque inter vineas sine periculo administrare : optimus quisque cadere aut sauciari , ceteris metus augeri .	When Marius had achieved so important an enterprise, without any loss to his troops, he who was great and honored before became still greater and still more honored. All his undertakings, however ill-concerted, were regarded as proofs of superior ability; his soldiers, kept under mild discipline, and enriched with spoil, extolled him to the skies; the Numidians dreaded him as some thing more than human; and all, indeed, allies as well as enemies, believed that he was either possessed of supernatural power, or had all things directed for him by the will of the gods. After his success in this attempt, he proceeded against other towns; a few, where they offered resistance, he took by force; a greater number, deserted in consequence of the wretched fate of Capsa, he destroyed by fire; and the whole country was filled with mourning and slaughter. Having at length gained possession of many places, and most of them without loss to his army, he turned his thoughts to another enterprise, which, though not of the same desperate character as that at Capsa, was yet not less difficult of execution. Not far from the river Mulucha, which divided the kingdoms of Jugurtha and Bocchus, there stood, in the midst of a plain, a rocky hill, sufficiently broad at the top for a small fort; it rose to a vast height, and had but one narrow ascent left open, the whole of it being as steep by nature as it could have been rendered by labor and art. This place, as there were treasures of the king in it, Marius directed his utmost efforts to take. But his views were furthered more by fortune than by his own contrivance. In the fortress there were plenty of men and arms for its defense, as well as an abundant store of provisions, and a spring of water; while its situation was unfavorable for raising mounds, towers, and other works; and the road to it, used by its inhabitants, was extremely steep, with a precipice on either side. The vineæ were brought up with great danger, and without effect; for, before they were advanced any considerable distance, they were destroyed with fire or stones. And from the difficulties of the ground, the soldiers could neither stand in front of the works, nor act among the vineæ, without danger; the boldest of them were killed or wounded, and the fear of the rest increased.
93	At Marius multis diebus et laboribus consumptis anxius trahere cum animo suo , omitteretne inceptum , quoniam frustra erat , an fortunam opperiretur , qua saepe prospere usus fuerat . Quae cum multos dies noctisque aestuans agitaret , forte quidam Ligus , ex cohortibus auxiliariis miles gregarius , castris aquatum egressus haud procul ab latere castelli , quod auersum proeliantibus erat , animum aduertit inter saxa repentis cocleas , quarum cum unam atque alteram , dein plures peteret , studio legendi paulatim prope ad summum montis egressus est . ubi postquam solitudinem intellexit , more ingeni humani cupido difficilia faciendi animum alio vertit . Et forte in eo loco grandis ilex coaluerat inter saxa , paulum modo prona , deinde inflexa atque aucta in altitudinem , quo cuncta gignentium natura fert . Cuius ramis modo , modo eminentibus saxis nisus Ligus in castelli planitiem pervenit , quod cuncti Numidae intenti proeliantibus aderant . Exploratis omnibus , quae mox usui fore ducebat , eadem regreditur , non temere , uti ascenderat , sed temptans omnia et circumspiciens . Itaque Marium propere adit , acta edocet , hortatur , ab ea parte qua ipse ascenderat castellum temptet , pollicetur sese itineris periculique ducem . Marius cum Ligure promissa eius cognitum ex praesentibus misit . Quorum uti cuiusque ingenium erat , ita rem difficilem aut facilem nuntiauere ; consulis animus tamen paulum arrectus . Itaque ex copia tubicinum et cornicinum numero quinque quam uelocissimos delegit et cum iis , praesidio qui forent , quattuor centuriones , omnisque Liguri parere iubet et ei negotio proximum diem constituit .	Marius having thus wasted much time and labor, began seriously to consider whether he should abandon the attempt as impracticable, or wait for the aid of Fortune, whom he had so often found favorable. While he was revolving the matter in his mind, during several days and nights, in a state of much doubt and perplexity, it happened that a certain Ligurian, a private soldier in the auxiliary cohorts, having gone out of the camp to fetch water, observed, near that part of the fort which was furthest from the besiegers, some snails crawling among the rocks, of which, when he had picked up one or two, and afterward more, he gradually proceeded, in his eagerness for collecting them, almost to the top of the hill. When he found this part deserted, a desire, incident to the human mind, of seeing what he had never seen, took violent possession of him. A large oak chanced to grow out among the rocks, at first, for a short distance, horizontally, and then, as nature directs all vegetables, turning and shooting upward. Raising himself sometimes on the boughs of this tree, and sometimes on the projecting rocks, the Ligurian, as all the Numidians were intently watching the besiegers, took a full survey of the platform of the fortress. Having observed whatever he thought it would afterward prove useful to know, he descended the same way, rot unobservantly, as he had gone up, but exploring and noticing all the peculiarities of the path. He then hastened to Marius, acquainted him with what he had done, and urged him to attack the fort on that side where he had ascended, offering himself to lead the way and the attempt. Marius sent some of those about him, along with the Ligurian, to examine the practicability of his proposal, who, according to their several dispositions, reported the affair as difficult or easy. The consul's hopes, however, were somewhat encouraged; and he accordingly selected, from his band of trumpeters and bugle-men, five of the most nimble, and with them four centurions for a guard; all of whom he directed to obey the Ligurian, appointing the next day for commencing the experiment.
94	Sed ubi ex praecepto tempus visum , paratis compositisque omnibus ad locum pergit . Ceterum illi , qui escensuri erant , praedocti ab duce arma ornatumque mutauerant : capite atque pedibus nudis , uti prospectus nisusque per saxa facilius foret ; super terga gladii et scuta , verum ea Numidica ex coriis , ponderis gratia simul et offensa quo leuius streperent . Igitur praegrediens Ligus saxa et si quae uetustate radices eminebant , laqueis vinciebat , quibus alleuati milites facilius escenderent , interdum timidos insolentia itineris leuare manu ; ubi paulo asperior ascensus erat , singulos prae se inermos mittere , deinde ipse cum illorum armis sequi ; quae dubia nisui videbantur , potissimus temptare ac saepius eadem ascendens descendensque , dein statim digrediens ceteris audaciam addere . Igitur diu multumque fatigati tandem in castellum perveniunt , desertum ab ea parte , quod omnes sicut aliis diebus aduersum hostis aderant . Marius ubi ex nuntiis quae Ligus egerat cognovit , quamquam toto die intentos proelio Numidas habuerat , tum vero cohortatus milites et ipse extra vineas egressus , testudine acta succedere et simul hostem tormentis sagittariisque et funditoribus eminus terrere . At Numidae , saepe antea vineis Romanorum subuersis , item incensis , non castelli moenibus sese tutabantur , sed pro muro dies noctisque agitare , male dicere Romanis ac Mario vecordiam obiectare , militibus nostris Iugurthae servitium minari , secundis rebus feroces esse . Interim omnibus , Romanis hostibusque , proelio intentis , magna utrimque vi pro gloria atque imperio his illis pro salute certantibus , repente a tergo signa canere ; ac primo mulieres et pueri , qui visum processerant , fugere , deinde uti quisque muro proximus erat , postremo cuncti , armati inermesque . Quod ubi accidit , eo acrius Romani instare , fundere ac plerosque tantummodo sauciare , dein super occisorum corpora uadere , auidi gloriae certantes murum petere , neque quemquam omnium praeda morari . Sic forte correcta Mari temeritas gloriam ex culpa invenit .	When, according to their instructions, it seemed time to set out, the Ligurian, after preparing and arranging every thing, proceeded to the place of ascent. Those who commanded the centuries, being previously instructed by the guide, had changed their arms and dress, having their heads and feet bare, that their view upward, and their progress among the rocks, might be less impeded; their swords were slung behind them, as well as their shields, which were Numidian, and made of leather, both for the sake of lightness, and in order that, if struck against any object, they might make less noise. The Ligurian went first, and tied to the rocks, and whatever roots of trees projected through age, a number of ropes, by which the soldiers supporting themselves might climb with the greatest ease. Such as were timorous, from the extraordinary nature of the path, he sometimes pulled up by the hand; when the ascent was extremely rugged, he sent them on singly before him without their arms, which he then carried up after them; whatever parts appeared unsafe, he first tried them himself, and, by going up and down repeatedly in the same place, and then standing aside, he inspired the rest with courage to proceed. At length, after uninterrupted and harassing exertion they reached the fortress, which, on that side, was undefended, for all the occupants, as on other days, were intent on the enemy in the opposite quarter. Though Marius had kept the attention of the Numidians, during the whole day, fixed on his attacks, yet, when he heard from his scouts how the Ligurian had succeeded, he animated his soldiers to fresh exertions, and he himself, advancing beyond the vineæ, and causing a testudo to be formed, came up close under the walls, annoying the enemy, at the same time, with his engines, archers, and slingers, from a distance. But the Numidians, having often before overturned and burned the vineæ of the Romans, no longer confined themselves within the fortress, but spent day and night before the walls, railing at the Romans, upbraiding Marius with madness, threatening our soldiers with being made slaves to Jugurtha, and exhibiting the utmost audacity on account of their successful defense. In the mean time, while both the Romans and Numidians were engaged in the struggle, the one side contending for glory and dominion, the other for their very existence, the trumpets suddenly sounded a blast in the rear of the enemy, at which the women and children, who had gone out to view the contest, were the first to flee; next those who were nearest to the wall, and at length the whole of the Numidians, armed and unarmed, retreated within the fort. When this had happened, the Romans pressed upon the enemy with increased boldness, dispersing them, and at first only wounding the greater part, but afterward making their way over the bodies of those who fell, thirsting for glory, and striving who should be first to reach the wall; not a single individual being detained by the plunder. Thus the rashness of Marius, rendered successful by fortune, procured him renown from his very error.
95	Ceterum , dum ea res geritur , L . Sulla quaestor cum magno equitatu in castra venit , quos uti ex Latio et a sociis cogeret , Romae relictus erat . Sed quoniam nos tanti viri res admonuit , idoneum visum est de natura cultuque eius paucis dicere . Neque enim alio loco de Sullae rebus dicturi sumus et L . Sisenna , optime et diligentissime omnium , qui eas res dixere , persecutus , parum mihi libero ore locutus videtur . Igitur Sulla gentis patriciae nobilis fuit , familia prope iam extincta maiorum ignavia , litteris Graecis atque Latinis iuxta eruditus , animo ingenti , cupidus voluptatum , sed gloriae cupidior ; otio luxuriose esse , tamen ab negotiis numquam voluptas remorata , nisi quod de uxore potuit honestius consuli ; facundus , callidus et amicitia facilis , ad simulanda negotia altitudo ingeni incredibilis , multarum rerum ac maxime pecuniae largitor . Atque illi felicissimo omnium ante civilem victoriam numquam super industriam fortuna fuit , multique dubitauere , fortior an felicior esset . Nam postea quae fecerit , incertum habeo pudeat an pigeat magis disserere .	During the progress of this affair, Lucius Sylla, Marius's quæstor, arrived in the camp with a numerous body of cavalry, which he had been left at Rome to raise among the Latins and allies. Of so eminent a man, since my subject brings him to my notice, I think it proper to give a brief account of the character and manners; for I shall in no other place allude to his affairs; and Lucius Sisenna, who has treated that subject the most ably and accurately of all writers, seems to me to have spoken with too little freedom. Sylla, then, was of patrician descent, but of a family almost sunk in obscurity by the degeneracy of his forefathers. He was skilled, equally and profoundly, in Greek and Roman literature. He was a man of large mind, fond of pleasure, but fonder of glory. His leisure was spent in luxurious gratifications, but pleasure never kept him from his duties, except that he might have acted more for his honor with regard to his wife. He was eloquent and subtle, and lived on the easiest terms with his friends. His depth of thought in disguising his intentions, was incredible; he was liberal of most things, but especially of money. And though he was the most fortunate of all men before his victory in the civil war, yet his fortune was never beyond his desert; and many have expressed a doubt whether his success or his merit were the greater. As to his subsequent acts, I know not whether more of shame or of regret must be felt at the recital of them.
96	Igitur Sulla , uti supra dictum est , postquam in Africam atque in castra Mari cum equitatu venit , rudis antea et ignarus belli , sollertissimus omnium in paucis tempestatibus factus est . Ad hoc milites benigne appellare , multis rogantibus , aliis per se ipse dare beneficia , inuitus accipere , sed ea properantius quam aes mutuum reddere , ipse ab nullo repetere , magis id laborare , ut illi quam plurimi deberent , ioca atque seria cum humillimis agere , in operibus , in agmine atque ad vigilias multus adesse , neque interim , quod praua ambitio solet , consulis aut cuiusquam boni famam laedere , tantummodo neque consilio neque manu priorem alium pati , plerosque antevenire . Quibus rebus et artibus brevi Mario militibusque carissimus factus .	When Sylla came with his cavalry into Africa, as has just been stated, and arrived at the camp of Marius, though he had hitherto been unskilled and undisciplined in the art of war, he became, in a short time, the most expert of the whole army. He was besides affable to the soldiers; he conferred favors on many at their request, and on others of his own accord, and was reluctant to receive any in return. But he repaid other obligations more readily than those of a pecuniary nature; he himself demanded repayment from no one; but rather made it his object that as many as possible should be indebted to him. He conversed, jocosely as well as seriously, with the humblest of the soldiers; he was their frequent companion at their works, on the march, and on guard. Nor did he ever, as is usual with depraved ambition, attempt to injure the character of the consul, or of any deserving person. His sole aim, whether in the council or the field, was to suffer none to excel him; to most he was superior. By such conduct he soon became a favorite both with Marius and with the army.
97	At Iugurtha , postquam oppidum Capsam aliosque locos munitos et sibi utilis simul et magnam pecuniam amiserat , ad Bocchum nuntios mittit : quam primum in Numidiam copias adduceret ; proeli faciendi tempus adesse . Quem ubi cunctari accepit et dubium belli atque pacis rationes trahere , rursus uti antea proximos eius donis corrupit , ipsique Mauro pollicetur Numidiae partem tertiam , si aut Romani Africa expulsi aut integris suis finibus bellum compositum foret . Eo praemio illectus Bocchus cum magna multitudine Iugurtham accedit . Ita amborum exercitu coniuncto Marium , iam in hiberna proficiscentem , vix decima parte die relicua invadunt , rati noctem , quae iam aderat , et victis sibi munimento fore et , si vicissent , nullo impedimento , quia locorum scientes erant , contra Romanis utrumque casum in tenebris difficiliorem fore . Igitur simul consul ex multis de hostium adventu cognovit , et ipsi hostes aderant , et prius quam exercitus aut instrui aut sarcinas colligere , denique ante quam signum aut imperium ullum accipere quiuit , equites Mauri atque Gaetuli , non acie neque ullo more proeli sed cateruatim , uti quosque fors conglobauerat , in nostros incurrunt . Qui omnes trepidi improuiso metu ac tamen virtutis memores aut arma capiebant aut capientis alios ab hostibus defensabant ; pars equos escendere , obviam ire hostibus ; pugna latrocinio magis quam proelio similis fieri . Sine signis , sine ordinibus equites peditesque permixti cedere alius , alius obtruncari , multi contra aduersos acerrime pugnantes ab tergo circumveniri ; neque virtus neque arma satis tegere , quia hostes numero plures et undique circumfusi erant . Denique Romani ueteres novique ... Et ob ea scientes belli , si quos locus aut casus coniunxerat , orbis facere atque ita ab omnibus partibus simul tecti et instructi hostium vim sustentabant .	Jugurtha, after he had lost the city of Capsa, and other strong and important places, as well as a vast sum of money, dispatched messengers to Bocchus, requesting him to bring his forces into Numidia as soon as possible, and stating that the time for giving battle was at hand. But finding that he hesitated, and was balancing the inducements to peace and war, he again corrupted his confidants, as on a previous occasion, with presents, and promised the Moor himself a third part of Numidia, should either the Romans be driven from Africa, or the war brought to an end without any diminution of his own territories. Being allured by this offer, Bocchus joined Jugurtha with a large force. The armies of the kings being thus united, they attacked Marius, on his march to his winter quarters, when scarcely a tenth part of the day remained, expecting that the night, which was now coming on, would be a shelter to them if they were beaten, and no impediment if they should conquer, as they were well acquainted with the country, while either result would be worse for the Romans in the dark. At the very moment, accordingly, that Marius heard from various quarters of the enemy's approach, the enemy themselves were upon him, and before the troops could either form themselves or collect the baggage, before they could receive even a signal or an order, the Moorish and Getulian horse, not in line, or any regular array of battle, but in separate bodies, as chance had united them, rushed furiously on our men; who, though all struck with a panic, yet, calling to mind what they had done on former occasions, either seized their arms, or protected those who were looking for theirs, while some, springing on their horses, advanced against the enemy. But the whole conflict was more like a rencounter with robbers than a battle; the horse and foot of the enemy, mingled together without standards or order, wounded some of our men, and cut down others, and surprised many in the rear while fighting stoutly with those in front; neither valor nor arms were a sufficient defense, the enemy being superior in numbers, and covering the field on all sides. At last the Roman veterans, who were necessarily well experienced in war, formed themselves, wherever the nature of the ground or chance allowed them to unite, in circular bodies, and thus secured on every side, and regularly drawn up, withstood the attacks of the enemy.
98	Neque in eo tam aspero negotio Marius territus aut magis quam antea demisso animo fuit , sed cum turma sua , quam ex fortissimis magis quam familiarissimis parauerat , uagari passim ac modo laborantibus suis succurrere , modo hostis , ubi confertissimi obstiterant , invadere ; manu consulere militibus , quoniam imperare conturbatis omnibus non poterat . Iamque dies consumptus erat , cum tamen barbari nihil remittere atque , uti reges praeceperant , noctem pro se rati acrius instare . Tum Marius ex copia rerum consilium trahit atque , uti suis receptui locus esset , collis duos propinquos inter se occupat , quorum in uno castris parum amplo fons aquae magnus erat , alter usui opportunus , quia magna parte editus et praeceps pauca munimenta quaerebat . Ceterum apud aquam Sullam cum equitibus noctem agitare iubet , ipse paulatim dispersos milites neque minus hostibus conturbatis in unum contrahit , dein cunctos pleno gradu in collem subducit . Ita reges loci difficultate coacti proelio deterrentur , neque tamen suos longius abire sinunt , sed utroque colle multitudine circumdato effusi consedere . Dein crebris ignibus factis plerumque noctis barbari more suo laetari , exultare , strepere vocibus ; et ipsi duces feroces , quia non fugerant , pro victoribus agere . Sed ea cuncta Romanis ex tenebris et editioribus locis facilia visu magnoque hortamento erant .	Marius, in this desperate emergency, was not more alarmed or disheartened than on any previous occasion, but rode about with his troop of cavalry, which he had formed of his bravest soldiers rather than his nearest friends, in every quarter of the field, sometimes supporting his own men when giving way, sometimes charging the enemy where they were thickest, and doing service to his troops with his sword, since, in the general confusion, he was unable to command with his voice. The day had now closed, yet the barbarians abated nothing of their impetuosity, but, expecting that the night would be in their favor, pressed forward, as their kings had directed them, with increased violence. Marius, in consequence, resolved upon a measure suited to his circumstances, and, that his men might have a place of retreat, took possession of two hills contiguous to each other, on one of which, too small for a camp, there was an abundant spring of water, while the other, being mostly elevated and steep, and requiring little fortification, was suited for his purpose as a place of encampment. He then ordered Sylla, with a body of cavalry, to take his station for the night on the eminence containing the spring, while he himself collected his scattered troops by degrees, the enemy being not less disordered, and led them all at a quick march up the other hill. Thus the kings, obliged by the strength of the Roman position, were deterred from continuing the combat; yet they did not allow their men to withdraw to a distance, but, surrounding both hills with a large force, encamped without any regular order. Having then lighted numerous fires, the barbarians, after their custom, spent most of the night in merriment, exultation, and tumultuous clamor, the kings, elated at having kept their ground, conducting themselves as conquerors. This scene, plainly visible to the Romans, under cover of the night and on the higher ground, afforded great encouragement to them.
99	Plurimum vero Marius imperitia hostium confirmatus quam maximum silentium haberi iubet , ne signa quidem , uti per vigilias solebant , canere . Deinde ubi lux adventabat , defessis iam hostibus ac paulo ante somno captis , de improuiso vigiles , item cohortium turmarum legionum tubicines simul omnis signa canere , milites clamorem tollere atque portis erumpere iubet . Mauri atque Gaetuli , ignoto et horribili sonitu repente exciti , neque fugere neque arma capere neque omnino facere aut prouidere quicquam poterant : ita cunctos strepitu clamore , nullo subueniente , nostris instantibus , tumultu formidine quasi vecordia ceperat . Denique omnes fusi fugatique arma et signa militaria pleraque capta , pluresque eo proelio quam omnibus superioribus interempti . Nam somno et metu insolito impedita fuga .	Marius, accordingly, deriving much confidence from the imprudence of the enemy, ordered the strictest possible silence to be kept, not allowing even the trumpets, as was usual, to be sounded when the watches were changed ; and then, when day approached, and the enemy were fatigued and just sinking to sleep, he ordered the sentinels, with the trumpeters of the auxiliary cohorts, cavalry, and legions, to sound all their instruments at once, and the soldiers, at the same time, to raise a shout, and sally forth from the camp upon the enemy. The Moors and Getulians, suddenly roused by the strange and terrible noise, could neither flee, nor take up arms, could neither act, nor provide for their security, so completely had fear, like a stupor, from the uproar and shouting, the absence of support, the charge of our troops, and the tumult and alarm, seized upon them all. The whole of them were consequently routed and put to flight; most of their arms, and military standards, were taken; and more were killed in this than in all former battles, their escape being impeded by sleep and the sudden alarm.