The Jugurthine War (Sallust)

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	The Jugurthine War Author: Sallust	Translator: John Selby Watson
109	Igitur Sulla respondit se pauca coram Aspare locuturum , cetera occulte nullo aut quam paucissimis praesentibus . Simul edocet , quae sibi responderentur . Postquam , sicuti voluerat , congressi , dicit se missum a consule venisse quaesitum ab eo , pacem an bellum agitaturus foret . Tum rex , uti praeceptum fuerat , post diem decimum redire iubet , ac nihil etiam nunc decrevisse , sed illo die reponsurum . Deinde ambo in sua castra digressi . Sed ubi plerumque noctis processit , Sulla a Boccho occulte accersitur . Ab utroque tantummodo fidi interpretes adhibentur , praeterea Dabar internuntius , sanctus vir et ex sententia ambobus . Ac statim sic rex incipit :	Sylla replied, "that he should speak on but few particulars before Aspar, and discuss others at a private meeting, or in the presence of only a few;" dictating, at the same time, what answer should be returned by Bocchus. Afterward, when they met, as Bocchus had desired, Sylla stated, "that he had come, by order of the consul, to inquire whether he would resolve on peace or on war." Bocchus, as he had been previously instructed by Sylla, requested him to come again at the end of ten days, since he had as yet formed no determination, but would at that time give a decisive answer. Both then retired to their respective camps. But when the night was far advanced, Sylla was secretly sent for by Bocchus. At their interview, none but confidential interpreters were admitted on either side, together with Dabar, the messenger between them, a man of honor, and held in esteem by both parties. The king at once commenced thus:
110	" Numquam ego ratus sum fore uti rex maximus in hac terra et omnium , quos novi , privato homini gratiam deberem . Et mehercule , Sulla , ante te cognitum multis orantibus . Aliis ultro egomet opem tuli , nullius indiguus . Id imminutum , quod ceteri dolere solent , ego laetor . Fuerit mihi eguisse aliquando pretium tuae amicitiae , qua apud meum animum nihil carius est . Id adeo experiri licet . Arma viros pecuniam , postremo quicquid animo libet , sume utere , et , quoad viues , numquam tibi redditam gratiam putaueris : semper apud me integra erit ; denique nihil me sciente frustra uoles . Nam , ut ego aestimo , regem armis quam munificentia vince minus flagitiosum est . Ceterum de re publica vestra , cuius curator huc missus es , paucis accipe . Bellum ego populo Romano neque feci neque factum umquam volui ; at finis meos aduersum armatos armis tutatus sum . Id omitto , quando vobis ita placet . gerite quod uultis cum Iugurtha bellum . Ego flumen Muluccham , quod inter me et Micipsam fuit , non egrediar neque id intrare Iugurtham sinam . Praeterea si quid meque vobisque dignum petiueris , haud repulsus abibis ."	" I never expected that I, the greatest monarch in this part of the world, and the richest of all whom I know, should ever owe a favor to a private man. Indeed, Sylla, before I knew you, I gave assistance to many who solicited me, and to others without solicitation, and stood in need of no man's assistance. But at this loss of independence, at which others are wont to repine, I am rather inclined to rejoice. It will be a pleasure to me to have once needed your friendship, than which I hold nothing dearer to my heart. Of the sincerity of this assertion you may at once make trial; take my arms, my soldiers, my money, or whatever you please, and use it as your own. But do not suppose, as long as you live, that your kindness to me has been fully requited; my sense of it will always remain undiminished, and you shall, with my knowledge, wish for nothing in vain. For, as I am of opinion, it is less dishonorable to a prince to be conquered in battle than to be surpassed in generosity. " With respect to your republic, whose interests you are sent to guard, hear briefly what I have to say. I have neither made war upon the Roman people, nor desired that it should be made; I have merely defended my territories with arms against an armed force. But from hostilities, since such is your pleasure, I now desist. Prosecute the war with Jugurtha as you think proper. The river Mulucha, which was the boundary between Miscipsa and me, I shall neither pass myself, nor suffer Jugurtha to come within it. And if you shall ask any thing besides, worthy of me and of yourself, you shall not depart with a refusal."
111	Ad ea Sulla pro se breviter et modice , de pace et communibus rebus multis disseruit . Denique regi patefacit , quod polliceatur , senatum et populum Romanum , quoniam armis amplius valuissent , non in gratiam habituros ; faciendum ei aliquid , quod illorum magis quam sua rettulisse videretur . Id adeo in promptu esse , quoniam copiam Iugurthae haberet . Quem si Romanis tradidisset , fore ut illi plurimum deberetur ; amicitiam foedus Numidiae partem , quam nunc peteret , tum ultro adventuram . Rex primo negitare : cognationem , affinitatem , praeterea foedus interuenisse ; ad hoc metuere , ne fluxa fide usus popularium animos auerteret , quis et Iugurtha carus et Romani inuisi erant . Denique saepius fatigatus lenitur et ex voluntate Sullae omnia se facturum promittit . Ceterum ad simulandam pacem , cuius Numida defessus bello auidissimus erat , quae utilia visa constituunt . Ita composito dolo digrediuntur .	To this speech Sylla replied, as far as concerned himself, briefly and modestly; but spoke, with regard to the peace and their common concerns, much more at length. He signified to the king " that the senate and people of Rome, as they had the superiority in the field, would think themselves little obliged by what he promised; that he must do something which would seem more for their interest than his own; and that for this there was now a fair opportunity, since he had Jugurtha in his power, for, if he delivered him to the Romans, they would feel greatly indebted to him, and their friendship and alliance, as well as that part of Numidia which he claimed, would readily be granted him." Bocchus at first refused to listen to the proposal, saying that affinity, the ties of blood, and a solemn league, connected him with Jugurtha; and that he feared, if he acted insincerely, he might alienate the affections of his subjects, by whom Jugurtha was beloved, and the Romans disliked. But at last, after being frequently importuned, his resolution gave way, and he engaged to do every thing in accordance with Sylla's wishes. They then concerted measures for conducting a pretended treaty of peace, of which Jugurtha, weary of war, was extremely desirous. Having settled their plans, they separated.
112	At rex postero die Asparem , Iugurthae legatum , appellat dicitque sibi per Dabarem ex Sulla cognitum posse condicionibus bellum poni : quam ob rem regis sui sententiam exquireret . Ille laetus in castra Iugurthae proficiscitur . Deinde ab illo cuncta edoctus properato itinere post diem octauum redit ad Bocchum et ei nuntiat Iugurtham cupere omnia quae imperarentur facere , sed Mario parum confidere ; saepe antea cum imperatoribus Romanis pacem conventam frustra fuisse . Ceterum Bocchus si ambobus consultum et ratam pacem vellet , daret operam , ut una ab omnibus quasi de pace in colloquium veniretur , ibique sibi Sullam traderet . Cum talem virum in potestatem habuisset , tum fore uti iussu senatus aut populi foedus fieret ; neque hominem nobilem non sua ignavia sed ob rem publicam in hostium potestate relictum iri .	On the next day Bocchus sent for Aspar, Jugurtha's envoy, and acquainted him that he had ascertained from Sylla, through Dabar, that the war might be concluded on certain conditions; and that he should therefore make inquiry as to the sentiments of his king. Aspar proceeded with joy to Jugurtha's camp, and having received full instructions from him, returned in haste to Bocchus at the end of eight days, with intelligence "that Jugurtha was eager to do whatever might be required, but that he put little confidence in Marius, as treaties of peace, concluded with Roman generals, had often before proved of no effect; that if Bocchus, however, wished to consult the interests of both, and to have an established peace, he should endeavor to bring all parties together to a conference, as if to settle the conditions, and then deliver Sylla into his hands, for when he had such a man in his power, a treaty would at once be concluded by order of the senate and people of Rome; as a man of high rank, who had fallen into the hands of the enemy, not from want of spirit; but from zeal for the public interest, would not be left in captivity.
113	Haec Maurus secum ipse diu voluens tandem promisit ; ceterum dolo an vere cunctatus , parum comperimus . Sed plerumque regiae voluntates ut vehementes sic mobiles , saepe ipsae sibi aduersae . Postea tempore et loco constituto , in colloquium uti de pace veniretur , Bocchus Sullam modo , modo Iugurthae legatum appellare , benigne habere , idem ambobus polliceri . Illi pariter laeti ac spei bonae pleni esse . Sed nocte ea , quae proxima fuit ante diem colloquio decretum , Maurus adhibitis amicis ac statim immutata voluntate remotis ceteris dicitur secum ipse multum agitauisse , uultu colore motu corporis pariter atque animo varius ; quae scilicet ita tacente ipso occulta pectoris patefecisse . Tamen postremo Sullam accersi iubet et ex illius sententia Numidae insidias tendit . Deinde ubi dies advenit et ei nuntiatum est Iugurtham haud procul abesse , cum paucis amicis et quaestore nostro quasi obvius honoris causa procedit in tumulum facillimum visu insidiantibus . Eodem Numida cum plerisque necessariis suis inermis , uti dictum erat , accedit , ac statim signo dato undique simul ex insidiis invaditur . Ceteri obtruncati , Iugurtha Sullae vinctus traditur et ab eo ad Marium deductus est .	The Moor, after long meditation on these suggestions, at length expressed his assent to them, but whether in pretense or sincerity I have not been able to discover. But the inclinations of kings, as they are violent, are often fickle, and at variance with themselves. At last, after a time and place were fixed for coming to a conference about the treaty, Bocchus addresssed himself at one time to Sylla and at another to the envoy of Jugurtha, treating them with equal affability, and making the same professions to both. Both were in consequence equally delighted, and animated with the fairest expectations. But on the night preceding the day appointed for the conference; the Moor, after first assembling his friends, and then, on a change of mind, dismissing them, is reported to have had many anxious struggles with himself, disturbed alike in his thoughts and his gestures, which, even when he was silent, betrayed the secret agitation of his mind. At last, however, he ordered that Sylla should be sent for, and, according to his desire, laid an ambush for Jugurtha. As soon as it was day, and intelligence was brought that Jugurtha was at hand, Bocchus, as if to meet him and do him honor, went forth, attended by a few friends, and our quæstor, as far as a little hill, which was full in the view of the men who were placed in ambush. To the same spot came Jugurtha with most of his adherents, unarmed, according to agreement; when immediately, on a signal being given, he was assailed on all sides by those who were lying in wait. The others were cut to pieces, and Jugurtha himself was delivered bound to Sylla, and by him conducted to Marius.
114	Per idem tempus aduersum Gallos ab ducibus nostris Q . Caepione et Cn . Manlio male pugnatum . Quo metu Italia omnis contremuerat . Illincque usque ad nostram memoriam Romani sic habuere , alia omnia virtuti suae prona esse , cum Gallis pro salute , non pro gloria certare . Sed postquam bellum in Numidia confectum et Iugurtham Romam vinctum adduci nuntiatum est , Marius consul absens factus est , et ei decreta prouincia Gallia , isque Kalendis Ianuariis magna gloria consul triumphauit . Et ea tempestate spes atque opes civitatis in illo sitae .	At this period war was carried on unsuccessfully by our generals Quintus Cæpio and Marcus Manlius, against the Gauls; with the terror of which all Italy was thrown into consternation. Both the Romans of that day, indeed, and their descendants, down to our own times, maintained the opinion that all other nations must yield to their valor, but that they contended with the Gauls, not for glory, but merely in self-defense. But after the war in Numidia was ended, and it was announced that Jugurtha was coming in chains to Rome, Marius, though absent from the city, was created consul, and Gaul decreed to him as his province. On the first of January he triumphed as consul, with great glory. At that time the hopes and dependence of the state were placed on him.