The Jugurthine War (Sallust)

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	The Jugurthine War Author: Sallust	Translator: John Selby Watson
46	Interea Iugurtha , ubi quae Metellus agebat ex nuntiis accepit , simul de innocentia eius certior Roma factus , diffidere suis rebus ac tum demum veram deditionem facere conatus est . Igitur legatos ad consulem cum suppliciis mittit , qui tantummodo ipsi liberisque vitam peterent , alia omnia dederent populo Romano . Sed Metello iam antea experimentis cognitum erat genus Numidarum infidum , ingenio mobili , novarum rerum auidum esse . Itaque legatos alium ab alio diuersos aggreditur ac paulatim temptando , postquam opportunos sibi cognovit , multa pollicendo persuadet , uti Iugurtham maxime viuum , sin id parum procedat , necatum sibi traderent . Ceterum palam quae ex voluntate forent regi nuntiari iubet . Deinde ipse paucis diebus intento atque infesto exercitu in Numidiam procedit , ubi contra belli faciem tuguria plena hominum , pecora cultoresque in agris erant . Ex oppidis et mapalibus praefecti regis obvii procedebant parati frumentum dare , commeatum portare , postremo omnia quae imperarentur facere . Neque Metellus idcirco minus , sed pariter ac si hostes adessent munito agmine incedere , late explorare omnia , illa deditionis signa ostentui credere et insidiis locum temptari . Itaque ipse cum expeditis cohortibus , item funditorum et sagittariorum delecta manu apud primos erat , in postremo C . Marius legatus cum equitibus curabat , in utrumque latus auxiliarios equites tribunis legionum et praefectis cohortium dispertiuerat , ut cum iis permixti uelites , quocumque accederent , equitatus hostium propulsarent . Nam in Iugurtha tantus dolus tantaque peritia locorum et militiae erat , ut , absens an praesens , pacem an bellum gerens perniciosior esset , in incerto haberetur .	Jugurtha, meantime, having learned from his emissaries how Metellus was proceeding, and having heard, when lie was in Rome, of the integrity of the consul's character, began to despair of his plans, and at length actually endeavored to effect a capitulation. He therefore sent deputies to the consul with proposals of submission, stipulating only for his own life and that of his children, and offering to surrender every thing else to the Romans. But Metellus had already learned by experience, that the Numidians were a faithless race, of unsettled disposition, and fond of change; and he accordingly applied himself to each of the deputies separately, and after gradually sounding them, and finding them proper instruments for his purpose, prevailed on them, by large promises, to deliver Jugurtha into his hands; bringing him alive, if they could, or dead, if to take him alive was impracticable. In public, however, he directed that such an answer should be given to the king as would be agreeable to his wishes. A few days afterward, he led the army, which was now vigorous and resolute, into Numidia, where, instead of any appearance of war, he found the cottages full of people, and the cattle and laborers in the fields, while the officers of Jugurtha came from the towns and villages to meet him, offering to supply him with corn, to convey provisions for him, and to do whatever might be required of them. Metellus, notwithstanding, made no diminution in the caution with which he marched, but kept as much upon the defensive as if an enemy had been at hand; and he dispatched scouts to explore the country, thinking that these signs of submission were but pretense, and that the Numidians were watching an opportunity for treachery. He himself, with some light-armed cohorts, and a select body of slingers and archers, advanced always in the front; while Caius Marius, his lieutenant-general, at the head of the cavalry, had charge of the rear. The auxiliary horse, distributed among the tribunes of the legions and prefects of the cohorts, he placed on the flanks, so that, with the aid of the light troops mixed with them, they might repel the enemy whenever an approach should be made. For such was the subtlety of Jugurtha, and such his knowledge of the country and the art of war, that it was doubtful whether he was more formidable absent or present, offering peace or threatening hostilities.
47	Erat haud longe ab eo itinere , quo Metellus pergebat , oppidum Numidarum nomine Vaga , forum rerum venalium totius regni maxime celebratum , ubi et incolere et mercari consueuerant Italici generis multi mortales . Huc consul , simul temptandi gratia , si paterentur , et ob opportunitates loci , praesidium imposuit . Praeterea imperauit frumentum et alia , quae bello usui forent , comportare , ratus , id quod res monebat , frequentiam negotiatorum et commeatu iuvaturum exercitum et iam paratis rebus munimento fore . Inter haec negotia Iugurtha impensius modo legatos supplices mittere , pacem orare , praeter suam liberorumque vitam omnia Metello dedere . Quos item uti priores consul illectos ad proditionem domum dimittebat , regi pacem , quam postulabat , neque abnuere neque polliceri et inter eas moras promissa legatorum expectare .	There lay, not far from the route which Metellus was pursuing, a city of the Numidians named Vaga, the most celebrated place for trade in the whole kingdom, in which many Italian merchants were accustomed to reside and traffic. Here the consul, to try the disposition of the inhabitants, and, should they allow him, to take advantage of the situation of the place, established a garrison, and ordered the people to furnish him with corn, and other necessaries for war; thinking, as circumstances indeed suggested, that the concourse of merchants, and frequent arrival of supplies, would add strength to his army, and further the plans which he had already formed. In the midst of these proceedings, Jugurtha, with extraordinary earnestness, sent deputies to sue for peace, offering to resign every thing to Metellus, except his own life and that of his children. These, like the former, the consul first seduced to treachery, and then sent back; the peace which Jugurtha asked, he neither granted nor refused, but waited, during these delays, the performance of the deputies' promises.
48	Iugurtha ubi Metelli dicta cum factis composuit ac se suis artibus temptari animaduertit , quippe cui verbis pax nuntiabatur , ceterum re bellum asperrimum erat , urbs maxima alienata , ager hostibus cognitus , animi popularium temptati , coactus rerum necessitudine statuit armis certare . Igitur explorato hostium itinere , in spem victoriae adductus ex opportunitate loci , quam maximas potest copias omnium generum parat ac per tramites occultos exercitum Metelli anteuenit . Erat in ea parte Numidiae , quam Adherbal in divisione possederat , flumen oriens a meridie nomine Muthul , a quo aberat mons ferme milia viginti tractu pari , vastus ab natura et humano cultu . Sed ex eo medio quasi collis oriebatur , in immensum pertingens , uestitus oleastro ac murtetis aliisque generibus arborum , quae humi arido atque harenoso gignuntur . media autem planities deserta penuria aquae praeter flumini propinqua loca ; ea consita arbustis pecore atque cultoribus frequentabantur .	Jugurtha, on comparing the words of Metellus with his actions, perceived that he was assailed with his own artifices; for though peace was offered him in words, a most vigorous war was in reality pursued against him; one of his strongest cities was wrested from him; his country was explored by the enemy, and the affections of his subjects alienated. Being compelled, therefore, by the necessity of circumstances, he resolved to try the fortune of a battle. Having, with this view, informed himself of the exact route of the enemy, and hoping for success from the advantage of the ground, he collected as large a force of every kind as he could, and, marching by cross-roads, got in advance of Metellus' army. There was, in that part of Numidia, of which, on the division of the kingdom, Adherbal had become possessor, a river named Muthul, flowing from the south; and, about twenty miles from it, was a range of mountains running parallel with the stream, wild and uncultivated; but from the center of it stretched a kind of hill, reaching to a vast distance, covered with wild olives, myrtles, and other trees, such as grow in a dry and sandy soil. The plain, which lay between the mountains and the Muthul, was uninhabited from want of water, except the parts bordering on the river, which were planted with trees, and full of cattle and inhabitants.
49	Igitur in eo colle , quem transuerso itinere porrectum docuimus , Iugurtha extenuata suorum acie consedit . Elephantis et parti copiarum pedestrium Bomilcarem praefecit eumque edocet quae ageret . Ipse propior montem cum omni equitatu et peditibus delectis suos collocat . Dein singulas turmas et manipulos circumiens monet atque obtestatur , uti memores pristinae virtutis et victoriae sese regnumque suum ab Romanorum auaritia defendant : cum iis certamen fore , quos antea victos sub iugum miserint ; ducem illis , non animum mutatum ; quae ab imperatore decuerint omnia suis prouisa , locum superiorem , ut prudentes cum imperitis , ne pauciores cum pluribus aut rudes cum belli melioribus manum consererent . Proinde parati intentique essent signo dato Romanos invadere : illum diem aut omnis labores et victorias confirmaturum aut maximarum aerumnarum initium fore . Ad hoc viritim , uti quemque ob militare facinus pecunia aut honore extulerat , commonefacere benefici sui et eum ipsum aliis ostentare , postremo pro cuiusque ingenio pollicendo minitando obtestando alium alio modo excitare , cum interim Metellus ignarus hostium monte degrediens cum exercitu conspicatur . Primo dubius , quidnam insolita facies ostenderet — nam inter virgulta equi Numidaeque consederant , neque plane occultati humilitate arborum et tamen incerti , quidnam esset , cum natura loci tum dolo ipsi atque signa militaria obscurati —, dein brevi cognitis insidiis paulisper agmen constituit . Ibi commutatis ordinibus in dextro latere , quod proximum hostis erat , triplicibus subsidiis aciem instruxit , inter manipulos funditores et sagittarios dispertit , equitatum omnem in cornibus locat , ac pauca pro tempore milites hortatus aciem , sicuti instruxerat , transuersis principiis in planum deducit .	On this hill, which I have just mentioned, stretching in a transverse direction, Jugurtha took post with his line drawn out to a great length. The command of the elephants, and of part of the infantry, he committed to Bomilcar, and gave him instructions how to act. He himself, with the whole of the cavalry and the choicest of the foot, took his station nearer to the range of mountains. Then, riding round among the several squadrons and battalions, he exhorted and conjured them to call to mind their former prowess and triumphs, and to defend themselves and their country from Roman rapacity; saying that they would have to engage with those whom they had already conquered and sent under the yoke, and that, though their commander was changed, there was no alteration in their spirit. He added, that he had provided for his men every thing becoming a general; that he had chosen the higher ground, where they, being well acquainted with the country, would contend with adversaries ignorant of it; nor would they engage, inferior in numbers and skill, with a larger or more experienced force; and that they should, therefore, be ready, when the signal should be given, to fall vigorously on the Romans, as that day would either crown all their labors and victories, or be a prelude to the most grievous calamities. He also addressed himself, individually, to any one whom he had rewarded with money or honors for military desert, reminding him of his favors, and pointing him out as an example to the rest; and finally he excited all his men, some in one way and some in another, by threats or entreaties, according to the different dispositions of each. Metellus, who was still ignorant of the enemy's position, was now seen descending the mountain with his army. He was at first doubtful what the strange appearance before him indicated; for the Numidians, both cavalry and infantry, had taken post among the wood, not entirely concealing themselves, by reason of the lowness of the trees, yet rendering it uncertain what they were, as both themselves and their standards were screened as well by the nature of the ground as by artifice; but soon perceiving that there were men in ambush, he halted awhile, and, having altered the arrangement of his troops, he drew up those in the right wing, which was nearest to the enemy, in three lines ; he distributed the slingers and archers among the infantry, posted all the cavalry on the flanks, and having made a brief address, such as time permitted, to his men, he led them down, with the front changed into a flank, toward the plain.
50	Sed ubi Numidas quietos neque colli degredi animaduertit , veritus ex anni tempore et inopia aquae , ne siti conficeretur exercitus , Rutilium legatum cum expeditis cohortibus et parte equitum praemisit ad flumen , uti locum castris antecaperet , existimans hostis crebro impetu et transuersis proeliis iter suum remoraturos et , quoniam armis diffiderent , lassitudinem et sitim militum temptaturos . Deinde ipse pro re atque loco , sicuti monte descenderat , paulatim procedere , Marium post principia habere , ipse cum sinistrae alae equitibus esse , qui in agmine principes facti erant . At Iugurtha , ubi extremum agmen Metelli primos suos praetergressum videt , praesidio quasi duum milium peditum montem occupat , qua Metellus descenderat , ne forte cedentibus aduersariis receptui ac post munimento foret . Dein repente signo dato hostis invadit . Numidae alii postremos caedere , pars a sinistra ac dextra temptare , infensi adesse atque instare , omnibus locis Romanorum ordines conturbare . Quorum etiam qui firmioribus animis obvii hostibus fuerant , ludificati incerto proelio ipsi modo eminus sauciabantur , neque contra feriendi aut conserendi manum copia erat . Ante iam docti ab Iugurtha equites , ubi Romanorum turma insequi coeperat , non confertim neque in unum sese recipiebant , sed alius alio quam maxime diuersi . Ita numero priores , si ab persequendo hostis deterrere nequiuerant , disiectos ab tergo aut lateribus circumveniebant ; sin opportunior fugae collis quam campi fuerat , ea vero consueti Numidarum equi facile inter virgulta euadere , nostros asperitas et insolentia loci retinebat .	But when he observed that the Numidians remained quiet, and did not offer to descend from the hill, he became apprehensive that his army, from the season of the year and the scarcity of water, might be overcome with thirst, and therefore sent Rutilius, one of his lieutenant-generals, with the light-armed cohorts and a detachment of cavalry, toward the river, to secure ground for an encampment, expecting that the enemy, by frequent charges and attacks on his flank, would endeavor to impede his march, and, as they despaired of success in arms, would try the effect of fatigue and thirst on his troops. He then continued to advance by degrees, as his circumstances and the ground permitted, in the same order in which he had descended from the range of mountains. He assigned Marius his post behind the front line, and took on himself the command of the cavalry on the left wing, which, on the march, had become the van. When Jugurtha perceived that the rear of the Roman army had passed his first line, he took possession of that part of the mountain from which Metellus had descended, with a body of about two thousand infantry, that it might not serve the enemy, if they were driven back, as a place of retreat, and afterward as a post of defense; and then, ordering the signal to be given, suddenly commenced his attack. Some of his Numidians made havoc in the rear of the Romans, while others assailed them on the right and left wings; they all advanced and charged furiously, and every where threw the consul's troops into confusion. Even those of our men who made the stoutest resistance, were baffled by the enemy's versatile method of fighting, and wounded from a distance, without having the power of wounding in return, or of coming to close combat; for the Numidian cavalry, as they had been previously instructed by Jugurtha, retreated whenever a troop of Romans attempted to pursue them, but did not keep in a body, or collect themselves into one place, but dispersed as widely as possible. Thus, being superior in numbers, if they could not deter the Romans from pursuing, they surrounded them, when disordered, on the rear or flank, or, if the hill seemed more convenient for retreat than the plain, the Numidian horses, being accustomed to the brushwood, easily made their way among it, while the difficulty of the ascent, and want of acquaintance with the ground, impeded those of the Romans.
51	Ceterum facies totius negoti varia , incerta , foeda atque miserabilis : dispersi a suis pars cedere , alii insequi ; neque signa neque ordines obseruare ; ubi quemque periculum ceperat , ibi resistere ac propulsare ; arma tela , equi viri , hostes atque ciues permixti ; nihil consilio neque imperio agi , fors omnia regere . Itaque multum diei processerat , cum etiam tum eventus in incerto erat . Denique omnibus labore et aestu languidis Metellus , ubi videt Numidas minus instare , paulatim milites in unum conducit , ordines restituit it cohortis legionarias quattuor aduersum pedites hostium collocat . Eorum magna pars superioribus locis fessa consederat . Simul orare et hortari milites , ne deficerent neu paterentur hostis fugientis vincere : neque illis castra esse neque munimentum ullum , quo cedentes tenderent ; in armis omnia sita . Sed ne Iugurtha quidem interea quietus erat : circumire , hortari ; renovare proelium et ipse cum delectis temptare omnia ; subvenire suis , hostibus dubiis instare , quos firmos cognoverat , eminus pugnando retinere .	The aspect of the whole struggle was indeed various, perplexing, direful, and lamentable; the men, separated from their comrades, were partly fleeing, partly pursuing; neither standards nor ranks were regarded, but wherever danger pressed, there they made a stand and defended themselves; arms and weapons, horses and men, enemies, and fellow-countrymen, were all mingled in confusion; nothing was done by direction or command, but chance ordered every thing. Though the day, therefore, was now far advanced, the event of the contest was still uncertain. At last, however, when all were faint with exertion and the heat of the day, Metellus, observing that the Numidians were less vigorous in their charges, drew his troops together by degrees, restored order among them, and led four cohorts of the legions against the enemy's infantry, of whom a great number, overcome with fatigue, had seated themselves on the high ground. He at the same time entreated and exhorted his men not to lose courage, nor to suffer a flying enemy to be victorious; adding that they had neither camp nor citadel to which they could flee, but that their only dependence was on their arms. Nor was Jugurtha, in the mean time, inactive; he rode round among his troops, cheered them, renewed the contest, and, at the head of a select body, made every possible effort for victory; supporting his own men, charging such of the enemy as wavered, and repressing with missiles such as he saw remaining unshaken.
52	Eo modo inter se duo imperatores , summi viri , certabant , ipsi pares , ceterum opibus disparibus . Nam Metello virtus militum erat , locus aduersus ; Iugurthae alia omnia praeter milites opportuna . Denique Romani , ubi intellegunt neque sibi perfugium esse neque ab hoste copiam pugnandi fieri — et iam die uesper erat —, aduerso colle , sicuti praeceptum fuerat , euadunt . Amisso loco Numidae fusi fugatique ; pauci interiere , plerosque uelocitas et regio hostibus ignara tutata sunt . Interea Bomilcar , quem elephantis et parti copiarum pedestrium praefectum ab Iugurtha supra diximus , ubi eum Rutilius praetergressus est , paulatim suos in aequum locum deducit ac , dum legatus ad flumen , quo praemissus erat , festinans pergit , quietus , uti res postulabat , aciem exornat neque remittit , quid ubique hostis ageret , explorare . Postquam Rutilium consedisse iam et animo uacuum accepit , simulque ex Iugurthae proelio clamorem augeri , veritus , ne legatus cognita re laborantibus suis auxilio foret , aciem , quam diffidens virtuti militum arte statuerat , quo hostium itineri officeret , latius porrigit eoque modo ad Rutili castra procedit .	Thus did these two commanders, both eminent men, maintain the contest against each other. In personal ability they were equal, but in circumstances unequal. Metellus had. resolute troops, but a disadvantageous position; Jugurtha had every thing in his favor except men. At last the Romans, seeing that they had no place of refuge, that the enemy allowed no opportunity for a regular engagement, and that the evening was fast approaching, forced their way, according to the orders which were given, up the hill. The Numidians were thus driven from their position, routed, and put to flight; a few of them were slain, but their speed, and the enemy's ignorance of the country, saved the greater number of them. Meanwhile Bomilcar, who, as I have said before, was appointed by Jugurtha over the elephants and a part of the infantry, having seen Rutilius pass by him, led down his men gradually into the plain, and while Rutilius hastened to the river, to which he had been dispatched, quietly drew them up in such order as circumstances required; not omitting, at the same time, to watch every movement of the enemy. When he learned that Rutilius had taken his position, and seemed free from apprehension of danger, and heard, at the same time, an increasing noise where Jugurtha was engaged, fearing lest the lieutenant-general, taking the alarm, should go to the support of his countrymen in difficulties, he, in order to intercept his march, increased the extent of his lines, which, from distrust of the bravery of his men, he had previously condensed, and advanced in this order toward Rutilius' camp.
53	Romani ex improuiso pulueris vim magnam animaduertunt ; nam prospectum ager arbustis consitus prohibebat . Et primo rati humum aridam vento agitari , post ubi aequabilem manere et , sicuti acies movebatur , magis magisque appropinquare vident , cognita re properantes arma capiunt ac pro castris , sicuti imperabatur , consistunt . Deinde ubi propius ventum est , utrimque magno clamore concurritur . Numidae tantummodo remorati , dum in elephantis auxilium putant , postquam eos impeditos ramis arborum atque ita disiectos circumveniri vident , fugam faciunt , ac plerique abiectis armis collis aut noctis , quae iam aderat , auxilio integri abeunt . Elephanti quattuor capti , relicui omnes numero quadraginta interfecti . At Romani , quamquam itinere atque opere castrorum et proelio fessi lassique erant , tamen , quod Metellus amplius opinione morabatur , instructi intentique obviam procedunt ; nam dolus Numidarum nihil languidi neque remissi patiebatur . Ac primo obscura nocte , postquam haud procul inter se erant , strepitu uelut hostes adventare , alteri apud alteros formidinem simul et tumultum facere ; et paene imprudentia admissum facinus miserabile , ni utrimque praemissi equites rem explorauissent . Igitur pro metu repente gaudium mutatur : milites alius alium laeti appellant , acta edocent atque audiunt , sua quisque fortia facta ad caelum fert . Quippe res humanae ita sese habent : in victoria vel ignavis gloriari licet , aduersae res etiam bonos detrectant .	The Romans, on a sudden, observed a vast cloud of dust, which, as the ground, thickly covered with brushes, obstructed their view, they at first supposed to be only sand raised by the wind; but at length, when they saw that it continued uniform, and approached nearer and nearer as the line advanced, they understood the real cause of it, and, hastily seizing their arms, drew up, as their commander directed, before the camp. When the enemy came up, both sides rushed to the encounter with loud shouts. But the Numidians maintained the contest only as long as they trusted for support to their elephants; for, when they saw the animals entangled in the boughs of the trees, and dispersed or surrounded by the enemy, they betook themselves to flight, and most of them, having thrown away their arms, escaped, by favor of the hill, or of the night, which was now coming on, without injury. Of the elephants, four were taken, and the rest, to the number of forty, were killed. The Romans, though fatigued and exhausted with their march, the construction of their camp, and the engagement, yet, as Metellus was longer in coming than they expected, advanced to meet him in regular and steady order. The subtlety of the Numidians, indeed, allowed them neither rest nor relaxation. But as the two parties drew together, in the obscurity of the night, each occasioned, by a noise like that of enemies approaching, alarm and trepidation in the other; and, had not parties of horse, sent forward from both sides, ascertained the truth, a fatal disaster was on the point of happening from the mistake. However, in place of fear, joy quickly succeeded; the soldiers met with mutual congratulations, relating their adventures, or listening to those of others, and each extolling his own achievements to the skies. For thus it is with human affairs; in success, even cowards may boast; while defeat lowers the character even of heroes.
54	Metellus in isdem castris quatriduo moratus saucios cum cura reficit , meritos in proeliis more militiae donat , uniuersos in contione laudat atque agit gratias , hortatur , ad cetera , quae levia sunt , parem animum gerant : pro victoria satis iam pugnatum , relicuos labores pro praeda fore . Tamen interim transfugas et alios opportunos , Iugurtha ubi gentium aut quid agitaret , cum paucisne esset an exercitum haberet , ut sese victus gereret , exploratum misit . At ille sese in loca saltuosa et natura munita receperat ibique cogebat exercitum numero hominum ampliorem , sed hebetem infirmumque , agri ac pecoris magis quam belli cultorem . Id ea gratia eveniebat , quod praeter regios equites nemo omnium Numida ex fuga regem sequitur . Quo cuiusque animus fert , eo discedunt , neque id flagitium militiae ducitur : ita se mores habent . Igitur Metellus , ubi videt etiam tum regis animum ferocem esse , bellum renovari , quod nisi ex illius libidine geri non posset , praeterea inicum certamen sibi cum hostibus , minore detrimento illos vinci quam suos vincere , statuit non proeliis neque in acie sed alio more bellum gerendum . Itaque in loca Numidiae opulentissima pergit , agros vastat , multa castella et oppida temere munita aut sine praesidio capit incenditque , puberes interfici iubet , alia omnia militum praedam esse . Ea formidine multi mortales Romanis dediti obsides ; frumentum et alia , quae usui forent , affatim praebita ; ubicumque res postulabat , praesidium impositum . Quae negotia multo magis quam proelium male pugnatum ab suis regem terrebant ; quippe , cuius spes omnis in fuga sita erat , sequi cogebatur et , qui sua loca defendere nequiuerat , in alienis bellum gerere . Tamen ex copia quod optimum videbatur consilium capit : exercitum plerumque in isdem locis opperiri iubet , ipse cum delectis equitibus Metellum sequitur , nocturnis et auiis itineribus ignoratus Romanos palantis repente aggreditur . Eorum plerique inermes cadunt , multi capiuntur , nemo omnium intactus profugit , et Numidae , prius quam ex castris subveniretur , sicuti iussi erant , in proximos collis discedunt .	Metellus remained four days in the same camp. He carefully provided for the recovery of the wounded, rewarded, in military fashion, such as had distinguished themselves in the engagements, and praised and thanked them all in a public address; exhorting them to maintain equal resolution in their future labors, which would be less arduous, as they had fought sufficiently for victory, and would now have to contend only for spoil. In the mean time he dispatched deserters, and other eligible persons, to ascertain where Jugurtha was, or what he was doing; whether he had but few followers, or a large army; and how he conducted himself under his defeat. The prince, he found, had retreated to places full of wood, well defended by nature, and was there collecting an army, which would be more numerous indeed than the former, but inactive and inefficient, as being composed of men better acquainted with husbandry and cattle than with war. This had happened from the circumstance, that, in case of flight, none of the Numidian troops, except the royal cavalry, follow their king; the rest disperse, wherever inclination leads them; nor is this thought any disgrace to them as soldiers, such being the custom of the people. Metellus, therefore, seeing that Jugurtha's spirit was still unsubdued; that a war was being renewed, which could only be conducted according to the prince's pleasure; and that he was struggling with the enemy on unequal terms, as the Numidians suffered a defeat with less loss than his own men gained a victory, he resolved to manage the contest, not by pitched battles or regular warfare, but in another method. He accordingly marched into the richest parts of Numidia, captured and burned many fortresses and towns, which were insufficiently or wholly undefended, put the youth to the sword, and gave up every thing else as plunder to his soldiers. From the terror caused by these proceedings, many persons were given up as hostages to the Romans; corn, and other necessaries, were supplied in abundance; and garrisons were admitted wherever Metellus thought fit. These measures alarmed Jugurtha much more than the loss of the late battle; for he, whose whole security lay in flight, was compelled to pursue; and he who could not defend his own part of the kingdom, was obliged to make war in that which was occupied by others. Under these circumstances, however, he adopted what seemed the most eligible plan. He ordered the main body of his army to continue stationary; while he himself, with a select troop of cavalry, went in pursuit of Metellus, and coming upon him unperceived, by means of night marches and by-roads, he fell upon such of the Roman as were straggling about, of whom the greater number, being unarmed, were slain, and several others made prisoners; not one of them, indeed, escaped unharmed; and the Numidians, before assistance could arrive from the camp, fled, as they had been ordered, to the nearest hills.