The Jugurthine War (Sallust)

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	The Jugurthine War Author: Sallust	Translator: John Selby Watson
19	Postea Phoenices , alii multitudinis domi minuendae gratia , pars imperi cupidine sollicitata plebe et aliis novarum rerum auidis , Hipponem Hadrumetum Leptim aliasque urbis in ora maritima condidere ; eaeque brevi multum auctae , pars originibus suis praesidio , aliae decori fuere . Nam de Carthagine silere melius puto quam parum dicere , quoniam alio properare tempus monet . Igitur ad Catabathmon , qui locus Aegyptum ab Africa dividit , secundo mari prima Cyrene est , colonia Theraeon , ac deinceps duae Syrtes interque eas Leptis, deinde Philaenon arae , quem locum Aegyptum versus finem imperi habuere Carthaginienses , post aliae Punicae urbes . Cetera loca usque ad Mauretaniam Numidae tenent , proximi Hispania Mauri sunt . Super Numidiam Gaetulos accepimus partim in tuguriis , alios incultius uagos agitare , post eos Aethiopas esse , dein loca exusta solis ardoribus . Igitur bello Iugurthino pleraque ex Punicis oppida et finis Carthaginiensium , quos novissime habuerant , populus Romanus per magistratus administrabat ; Gaetulorum magna pars et Numidae usque ad flumen Muluccham sub Iugurtha erant ; Mauris omnibus rex Bocchus imperitabat , praeter nomen cetera ignarus populi Romani itemque nobis neque bello neque pace antea cognitus . De Africa et eius incolis ad necessitudinem rei satis dictum .	At a later period, the Phœnicians, some of whom wished to lessen their numbers at home, and others, ambitious of empire, engaged the populace, and such as were eager for change, to follow them, founded Hippo, Adrumetum, Leptis, and other cities, on the sea-coast; which, soon growing powerful, became partly a support, and partly an honor, to their parent state. Of Carthage I think it better to be silent, than to say but little; especially as time bids me hasten to other matters. Next to the Catabathmos, then, which divides Egypt from Africa, the first city along the sea-coast is Cyrene, a colony of Theræans; after which are the two Syrtes, with Leptis between them; then the Altars of the Philæni, which the Carthaginians considered the boundary of their dominion on the side of Egypt; beyond these are the other Punic towns. The other regions, as far as Mauretania, the Numidians occupy; the Moors are nearest to Spain. To the south of Numidia, as we are informed, are the Getulians, of whom some live in huts, and others lead a vagrant and less civilized life; beyond these are the Ethiopians; and further on, regions parched by the heat of the sun. At the time of the Jugurthine war, most of the Punic towns, and the territories which Carthage had lately possessed, were under the government of Roman prætors; a great part of the Getulians, and Numidia as far as the river Mulucha, were subject to Jugurtha; while the whole of the Moors were governed by Bocchus, a king who knew nothing of the Romans but their name, and who, before this period, was as little known to us, either in war or peace. Of Africa and its inhabitants I have now said all that my narrative requires.
20	Postquam diviso regno legati Africa decessere et Iugurtha contra timorem animi praemia sceleris adeptum sese videt , certum esse ratus , quod ex amicis apud Numantiam acceperat , omnia Romae venalia esse , simul et illorum pollicitationibus accensus , quos paulo ante muneribus expleuerat , in regnum Adherbalis animum intendit . Ipse acer , bellicosus ; at is quem petebat quietus , inbellis , placido ingenio , opportunus iniuriae , metuens magis quam metuendus . Igitur ex improuiso finis eius cum magna manu invadit , multos mortalis cum pecore atque alia praeda capit , aedificia incendit , pleraque loca hostiliter cum equitatu accedit , deinde , cum omni multitudine in regnum suum conuertit , existimans Adherbalem dolore permotum iniurias suas manu vindicaturum eamque rem belli causam fore . At ille , quod neque se parem armis existimabat et amicitia populi Romani magis quam Numidis fretus erat , legatos ad Iugurtham de iniuriis questum misit . Qui tametsi contumeliosa dicta rettulerant , prius tamen omnia pati decrevit quam bellum sumere , quia temptatum antea secus cesserat . Neque eo magis cupido Iugurthae minuebatur , quippe qui totum eius regnum animo iam invaserat . Itaque non uti antea cum praedatoria manu , sed magno exercitu comparato bellum gerere coepit et aperte totius Numidiae imperium petere . Ceterum , qua pergebat , urbis agros vastare , praedas agere , suis animum hostibus terrorem augere .	When the commissioners, after dividing the kingdom, had left Africa, and Jugurtha saw that, contrary to his apprehensions, he had obtained the object of his crimes; he then being convinced of the truth of what he had heard from his friends at Numantia, "that all things were purchasable at Rome," and being also encouraged by the promises of those whom he had recently loaded with presents, directed his views to the domain of Adherbal. He was himself bold and warlike, while the other, at whose destruction he aimed, was quiet, unfit for arms, of a mild temper, a fit subject for injustice, and a prey to fear rather than an object of it. Jugurtha, accordingly, with a powerful force, made a sudden irruption into his dominions, took several prisoners, with cattle and other booty, set fire to the buildings, and made hostile demonstrations against several places with his cavalry. He then retreated, with all his followers, into his own kingdom, expecting that Adherbal, roused by such provocation, would avenge his wrongs by force, and thus furnish a pretext for war. But Adherbal, thinking himself unable to meet Jugurtha in the field, and relying on the friendship of the Romans more than on the Numidians, merely sent embassadors to Jugurtha to complain of the outrage; and, although they brought back but an insolent reply, yet he resolved to endure any thing rather than have recourse to war, which, when he attempted it before, had ended in his defeat. By such conduct the eagerness of Jugurtha was not at all allayed; for he had now, indeed, in imagination, possessed himself of all Adherbal's dominions. He therefore renewed hostilities, not, as before, with a predatory band, but at the head of a large army which he had collected, and openly aspired to the sovereignty of all Numidia. Wherever he marched, he ravaged the towns and the fields, drove off booty, and raised confidence in his own men and dismay among the enemy.
21	Adherbal ubi intellegit eo processum , uti regnum aut relinquendum esset aut armis retinendum , necessario copias parat et Iugurthae obvius procedit . Interim haud longe a mari prope Cirtam oppidum utriusque exercitus consedit et , quia diei extremum erat , proelium non inceptum . Sed ubi plerumque noctis processit , obscuro etiam tum lumine milites Iugurthini signo dato castra hostium invadunt , semisomnos partim , alios arma sumentis fugant funduntque . Adherbal cum paucis equitibus Cirtam profugit , et ni multitudo togatorum fuisset , quae Numidas insequentis moenibus prohibuit , uno die inter duos reges coeptum atque patratum bellum foret . Igitur Iugurtha oppidum circumsedit , vineis turribusque et machinis omnium generum expugnare aggreditur , maxime festinans tempus legatorum antecapere , quos ante proelium factum ab Adherbale Romam missos audiuerat . Sed postquam senatus de bello eorum accepit , tres adulescentes in Africam legantur , qui ambos reges adeant , senatus populique Romani verbis nuntient velle et censere eos ab armis discedere , de controuersiis suis iure potius quam bello disceptare : ita seque illisque dignum esse .	Adherbal, when he found that matters had arrived at such a point, that he must either abandon his dominions, or defend them by force of arms, collected an army from necessity, and advanced to meet Jugurtha. Both armies took up their position near the town of Cirta, at no great distance from the sea; but, as evening was approaching, encamped without coming to an engagement. But when the night was far advanced, and twilight was beginning to appear, the troops of Jugurtha, at a given signal, rushed into the camp of the enemy, whom they routed and put to flight, some half asleep and others resuming their arms. Adherbal, with a few of his cavalry, fled to Cirta; and, had there not been a number of Romans in the town, who repulsed his Numidian pursuers from the walls, the war between the two princes would have been begun and ended on the same day. Jugurtha proceeded to invest the town, and attempted to storm it with the aid of mantelets, towers, and every kind of machines; being anxious above all things, to take it before the embassadors could arrive at Rome, who, he was informed, had been dispatched thither by Adherbal before the battle was fought. But as soon as the senate heard of their contention, three young men were sent as deputies into Africa, with directions to go to both of the princes, and to announce to them, in the words of the senate and people of Rome, " that it was their will and resolution that they should lay down their arms, and settle their disputes rather by arbitration than by the sword; since to act thus would be to the honor both of the Romans and themselves."
22	Legati in Africam maturantes veniunt , eo magis quod Romae , dum proficisci parant , de proelio facto et oppugnatione Cirtae audiebatur ; sed is rumor clemens erat . Quorum Iugurtha accepta oratione respondit sibi neque maius quicquam neque carius auctoritate senatus esse . Ab adulescentia ita se enisum , ut ab optimo quoque probaretur ; virtute , non malitia P . Scipioni , summo viro , placuisse ; ob easdem artis a Micipsa , non penuria liberorum in regnum adoptatum esse . Ceterum , quo plura bene atque strenue fecisset , eo animum suum iniuriam minus tolerare . Adherbalem dolis vitae suae insidiatum ; quod ubi comperisset , sceleri eius obviam isse . Populum Romanum neque recte neque pro bono facturum , si ab iure gentium sese prohibuerit . Postremo de omnibus rebus legatos Romam brevi missurum . Ita utrique digrediuntur . Adherbalis appellandi copia non fuit .	These deputies soon arrived in Africa, using the greater dispatch, because, while they were preparing for their journey, a report was spread at Rome of the- battle which had been fought, and of the siege of Cirta; but this report told much less than the truth. Jugurtha, having given them an audience, replied, "that nothing was of greater weight with him, nothing more respected, than the authority of the senate; that it had been his endeavor, from his youth, to deserve the esteem of all men of worth; that he had gained the favor of Publius Scipio, a man of the highest eminence, not by dishonorable practices, but by merit; that, for the same good qualities, and not from want of heirs to the throne, he had been adopted by Micipsa; but that, the more honorable and spirited his conduct had been, the less could his feelings endure injustice; that Adherbal had formed designs against his life, on discovering which, he had counteracted his malice; that the Romans would act neither justly nor reasonably, if they withheld from him the common right of nations; and, in conclusion, that he would soon send embassadors to Rome to explain the whole of his proceedings." On this understanding, both parties separated. Of addressing Adherbal the deputies had no opportunity.
23	Iugurtha ubi eos Africa decessisse ratus est neque propter loci naturam Cirtam armis expugnare potest , vallo atque fossa moenia circumdat , turris extruit easque praesidiis firmat ; praeterea dies noctisque aut per vim aut dolis temptare ; defensoribus moenium praemia modo , modo formidinem ostentare ; suos hortando ad virtutem arrigere ; prorsus intentus cuncta parare . Adherbal ubi intellegit omnis suas fortunas in extremo sitas , hostem infestum , auxili spem nullam , penuria rerum necessariarum bellum trahi non posse , ex iis , qui una Cirtam profugerant , duos maxime impigros delegit ; eos multa pollicendo ac miserando casum suum confirmat , uti per hostium munitiones noctu ad proximum mare , dein Romam pergerent .	Jugurtha, as soon as he thought that they had quitted Africa, surrounded the walls of Cirta, which, from the nature of its situation, he was unable to take by assault, with a rampart and a trench; he also erected towers, and manned them with soldiers; he made attempts on the place, by force or by stratagem, day and night; he held out bribes, and some times menaces, to the besieged; he roused his men, by exhortations, to efforts of valor, and resorted, with the utmost perseverance, to every possible expedient. Adherbal, on the other hand, seeing that his affairs were in a desperate condition, that his enemy was determined on his ruin, that there was no hope of succor, and that the siege, from want of provisions, could not long be protracted, selected from among those who had fled with him to Cirta, two of his most resolute supporters, whom he induced, by numerous promises, and an affecting representation of his distress, to make their way in the night, through the enemy's lines, to the nearest point of the coast, and from thence to Rome.
24	Numidae paucis diebus iussa efficiunt . litterae Adherbalis in senatu recitatae , quarum sententia haec fuit : " Non mea culpa saepe ad vos oratum mitto , patres conscripti , sed vis Iugurthae subigit , quem tanta libido extinguendi me invasit , ut neque vos neque deos immortalis in animo habeat , sanguinem meum quam omnia malit . Itaque quintum iam mensem socius et amicus populi Romani armis obsessus teneor ; neque mihi Micipsae patris mei beneficia neque vestra decreta auxiliantur ; ferro an fame acrius urgear , incertus sum . Plura de Iugurtha scribere dehortatur me fortuna mea , et iam antea expertus sum parum fidei miseris esse ; nisi tamen intellego illum supra quam ego sum petere neque simul amicitiam vestram et regnum meum sperare . utrum grauius existimet , nemini occultum est . Nam initio occidit Hiempsalem fratrem meum , deinde patrio regno me expulit . Quae sane fuerint nostrae iniuriae , nihil ad vos . Verum nunc vestrum regnum armis tenet , me , quem vos imperatorem Numidis posuistis , clausum obsidet ; legatorum verba quanti fecerit , pericula mea declarant . Quid est relicuum nisi vis vestra , quo moveri possit ? nam ego quidem vellem , et haec , quae scribo , et illa , quae antea in senatu questus sum , uana forent potius , quam miseria mea fidem verbis faceret . Sed quoniam eo natus sum , ut Iugurthae scelerum ostentui essem , non iam mortem neque aerumnas , tantummodo inimici imperium et cruciatus corporis deprecor . regno Numidiae , quod vestrum est , uti libet , consulite ; me manibus impiis eripite , per maiestatem imperi , per amicitiae fidem , si ulla apud vos memoria remanet aui mei Masinissae ."	The Numidians, in a few days executed their commission; and a letter from Adherbal was read in the senate, of which the following was the purport: "It is not through my own fault, Conscript Fathers, that I so often send requests to you; but the violence of Jugurtha compels me; whom so strong a desire for my destruction has seized, that he pays no regard either to you or to the immortal gods; my blood he covets beyond every thing. Five months, in consequence, have I, the ally and friend of the Roman people, been besieged with an armed force; neither the remembrance of my father Micipsa's benefits, nor your decrees, are of any avail for my relief; and whether I am more closely pressed by the sword, or by famine, I am unable to say. "From writing further concerning Jugurtha, my present condition deters me; for I have experienced, even before, that little credit is given to the unfortunate. Yet I can perceive that his views extend further than to myself, and that he does not expect to possess, at the same time, your friendship and my kingdom; which of the two he thinks the more desirable, must be manifest to every one. For, in the first place, he murdered my brother Hiempsal; and, in the next, expelled me from my dominions; which, however, may be regarded as our own wrongs, and as having no reference to you. But now he occupies your kingdom with an army; he keeps me, whom you appointed a king over the Numidians, in a state of blockade; and in what estimation he holds the words of your embassadors, my perils may serve to show. What then is left, except your arms, that can make an impression upon him ? "I could wish, indeed, that what I now write, as well as the complaints which I lately made before the senate, were false, rather than that my present distresses should confirm the truth of my statements. But since I am born to be an example of Jugurtha's villainy, I do not now beg a release from death or distress, but only from the tyranny of an enemy, and from bodily torture. Respecting the kingdom of Numidia, which is your own property, determine as you please, but if the memory of my grandfather Masinissa is still cherished by you, deliver me, I entreat you, by the majesty of your empire, and by the sacred ties of friendship, from the inhuman hands of Jugurtha."
25	His litteris recitatis fuere qui exercitum in Africam mittendum censerent et quam primum Adherbali subueniendum ; de Iugurtha interim uti consuleretur , quoniam legatis non paruisset . Sed ab isdem illis regis fautoribus summa ope enisum , ne tale decretum fieret . Ita bonum publicum , uti in plerisque negotiis solet , privata gratia deuictum . legantur tamen in Africam maiores natu nobiles , amplis honoribus usi . In quis fuit M . Scaurus , de quo supra memorauimus , consularis et tum senatus princeps . Ii , quod res in invidia erat , simul et ab Numidis obsecrati , triduo nauem ascendere . Dein brevi Vticam appulsi litteras ad Iugurtham mittunt : quam ocissime ad prouinciam accedat , seque ad eum ab senatu missos . Ille ubi accepit homines claros , quorum auctoritatem Romae pollere audiuerat , contra inceptum suum venisse , primo commotus metu atque libidine diuersus agitabatur : timebat iram senatus , ni paruisset legatis ; porro animus cupidine caecus ad inceptum scelus rapiebat . vicit tamen in auido ingenio prauum consilium . Igitur exercitu circumdato summa vi Cirtam irrumpere nititur , maxime sperans diducta manu hostium aut vi aut dolis sese casum victoriae inventurum . Quod ubi secus procedit neque quod intenderat efficere potest , ut , prius quam legatos conveniret , Adherbalis potiretur , ne amplius morando Scaurum , quem plurimum metuebat , incenderet , cum paucis equitibus in prouinciam venit . Ac tametsi senati verbis graues minae nuntiabantur , quod ab oppugnatione non desisteret , multa tamen oratione consumpta legati frustra discessere .	When this letter was read, there were some who thought that an army should be dispatched into Africa, and relief afforded to Adherbal, as soon as possible; and that the senate, in the mean time, should give judgment on the conduct of Jugurtha, in not having obeyed the embassadors. But by the partisans of Jugurtha, the same that had before supported his cause, effectual exertions were made to prevent any decree from being passed; and thus the public interest, as is too frequently the case, was defeated by private influence. An embassy was, however, dispatched into Africa, consisting of men of advanced years, and of noble birth, and who had filled the highest offices of the state; among whom was Marcus Scaurus, already mentioned, a man who had held the consulship, and who was at that time chief of the senate. These embassadors, as their business was an affair of public odium, and as they were urged by the entreaties of the Numidians, embarked in three days; and having soon arrived at Utica, sent a letter from thence to Jugurtha, desiring him " to come to the province as quickly as possible, as they were deputed by the senate to meet him." Jugurtha, when he found that men of eminence, whose influence at Rome he knew to be powerful, were come to put a stop to his proceedings, was at first perplexed, and distracted between fear and cupidity. He dreaded the displeasure of the senate, if he should disobey the embassadors; while his eager spirit, blinded by the lust of power, hurried him on to complete the injustice which he had begun. At length the evil incitements of ambition prevailed. He accordingly drew his army round the city of Cirta, and endeavored, with his utmost efforts, to force an entrance; having the strongest hopes, that, by dividing the attention of the enemy's troops, he should be able, by force or artifice, to secure an opportunity of success. When his attempts, however, were unavailing, and he found himself unable, as he had designed, to get Adherbal into his power before he met the embassadors, fearing that, by further delay, he might irritate Scaurus, of whom he stood in great dread, he proceeded with a small body of cavalry into the Province. Yet, though serious menaces were repeated to him in the name of the senate, because he had not desisted from the siege, nevertheless, after spending a long time in conference, the embassadors departed without making any impression upon him.
26	Ea postquam Cirtae audita sunt , Italici , quorum virtute moenia defensabantur , confisi deditione facta propter magnitudinem populi Romani inviolatos sese fore , Adherbali suadent , uti seque et oppidum Iugurthae tradat , tantum ab eo vitam paciscatur ; de ceteris senatui curae fore . At ille , tametsi omnis potiora fide Iugurthae rebatur , tamen , quia penes eosdem , si aduersaretur , cogendi potestas erat , ita , uti censuerant Italici , deditionem facit . Iugurtha in primis Adherbalem excruciatum necat , deinde omnis puberes Numidas atque negotiatores promiscue , uti quisque armatus obvius fuerat , interficit .	When news of this result was brought to Cirta, the Italians, by whose exertions the city had been defended, and who trusted that, if a surrender were made, they would be able, from respect to the greatness of the Roman power, to escape without personal injury, advised Adherbal to deliver himself and t:he city to Jugurtha, stipulating only that his life should be spared, and leaving all other matters to the care of the senate. Adherbal, though he thought nothing less trustworthy than the honor of Jugurtha, yet, knowing that those who advised could also compel him if he resisted, surrendered the place according to their desire. Jugurtha immediately proceeded to put Adherbal to death with torture, and massacred all the inhabitants that were of age, whether Numidians or Italians, as each fell in the way of his troops.
27	Quod postquam Romae cognitum est et res in senatu agitari coepta , idem illi ministri regis interpellando ac saepe gratia , interdum iurgiis trahendo tempus atrocitatem facti leniebant . Ac ni C . Memmius tribunus plebis designatus , vir acer et infestus potentiae nobilitatis , populum Romanum edocuisset id agi , ut per paucos factiosos Iugurthae scelus condonaretur , profecto omnis invidia prolatandis consultationibus dilapsa foret : tanta vis gratiae atque pecuniae regis erat . Sed ubi senatus dilicti conscientia populum timet , lege Sempronia prouinciae futuris consulibus Numidia atque Italia decretae ; consules declarati P . Scipio Nasica , L . Bestia Calpurnius ; Calpurnio Numidia , Scipioni Italia obuenit . Deinde exercitus , qui in Africam portaretur , scribitur ; stipendium aliaque , quae bello usui forent , decernuntur .	When this outrage was reported at Rome, and became a matter of discussion in the senate, the former partisans of Jugurtha applied themselves, by interrupting the debates and protracting the time, sometimes exerting their interest, and sometimes quarreling with particular members, to palliate the atrocity of the deed. And had not Caius Memmius, one of the tribunes of the people elect, a man of energy, and hostile to the power of the nobility, convinced the people of Rome that an attempt was being made, by the agency of a small faction, to have the crimes of Jugurtha pardoned, it is certain that the public indignation against him would have passed off under the protraction of the debates; so powerful was party interest, and the influence of Jugurtha's money. When the senate, however, from consciousness of misconduct, became afraid of the people, Numidia and Italy, by the Sempronian law, were appointed as provinces to the succeeding consuls, who were declared to be Publius Scipio Nasica, and Lucius Bestia Calpurnius. Numidia fell to Calpurnius, and Italy to Scipio. An army was then raised to be sent into Africa; and pay, and all other necessaries of war, were decreed for its use.