to try his fortune by Armes being inforced thereunto through the necessity of his affaires Thereupon the enemies passage being discouered he growing hopefull from the opportunity of the place raiseth as great Forces as he could of all sortes and through vnknown bywayes ouermarched Metellus Army CHAP. 15. Iugurth incampeth in a place of aduantage His Army is discouered by Metellus A battell is fought betwixt them wherein Iugurth is defeated THere was in that part of Numidia which Iugurth possessed vpon the diuision a riuer arising from the South named Muthul from which there was distant a mountaine almost twenty thousand paces of equall tract lying wast by nature and for want of human tillage But as it were from the middest of this a hillocke did arise of a spacious extent being couered with Oliue Mirtles and other kinds of Trees which grow in drie and sandy ground But the plaine seated in the middest was barren except the places bordering on the Riuer These being beset with Groues of Trees were frequented with Husbandmen and Cattell Therefore on that hillocke which we haue said to bee thwart-wise extended Iugurth sate downe the Fore-front of his Army being extinuated the command ouer the Elephants and some part of the footmen he gaue to Bomilear and instructeth him what he should doe hee himselfe neerer to the mountaine marshalleth his owne Troupes with all the Cauallery and selected Footemen Then rounding seuerally all the squadrons and Maniples he doth admonish and coniure them that being mindfull of their former valour and victory they would defend himselfe and his Kingdome from the auarice of the Romanes that they should fight with those whom they had formerly dismissed vnder the yoke that their Chieftaine not their courage was changed all things which might be required of a Generall were â—oreâ—â—lled to their aduantage they had the higher grouÌ„d that being expert they might fight with the vnskilfull not the fewer with the more nor vntrained with the better Souldiers Wherefore they should be prepared and resolute vpon a signall giuen to inuade the Romanes That either that day should confiâ—me all their labours victories or be the beginning of their greatest calamities Besides man by man as he had aduanced any for some military exploit in meanes or honour he puts them in mind of his bounty and in a brauery shews them to others finally according to euery mans disposition by promising menacing and protesting he doth encourage them seuerally after a seuerall manner when in the meane time Metellus ignorant of the enemies as he descended from the mountaine viewed them with his Army At first he was doubtfull what this vncouth shew did meane for amongst the vnderwoods the Numidians and their horses had seated themselues neither fully hid through the lownesse of the trees and yet vncertaine what they might bee since out of cunning and the situation of the place themselues and their military Ensignes were shadowed then the Stratagem being forthwith discouered the Army in marching made a stand for a while There the orders being altred in the right flanke which was neerest the enemy he arangeth the Army with three Aydes of reserue betweene the Maniples hee distributeth the Slingers and Archers all the Horse-men he placeth in the wings and hauing incouraged his Souldiers briefly for the season hee drawes downe his Army as hee had imbattailed it into the plaine the frount of the middle-ward being crosse-wise changed But when he perceiued the Numidians not to stir nor to descend from the mountaine fearing from the season of the yeere scarcity of water that his Army would bee consumed with thirst hee sent before vnto the riuer Rutilius one of his Lieutenants with the light-armed Cohorts and a part of the Cauallery to anticipatâ— a place for incamping thinking that the enemies with frequent charging and crossefights would retard his passage and because they reposed no trust in their Armes would take aduantage of the Souldiers thirst and wearinesse Then he himselfe as the occasion and place required in that order as hee desceÌ„ded from the mountaine marcheth forwards by little and little Marius was behind the middle-ward the Consull himselfe was with the Horse-men of the left wing who vpon the march made the maine battell But Iugurth as soone as he saw that those who had the Van of his Vanguard had ouer-reached the bringers vp of Metellus Reare with a Guarde of about 2000. Footmen hee possesseth the mountaine where Metellus made his descent lest perchance the enemies falling backe it might serue them for a retreat and after for a defence Then suddeÌ„ly vpon a signall giuen he chargeth the enemies Some of the Numidians kill the hinder-most others assaâ—le the right and left flanke in furious manner they present themselues and presse forward in all places they disordered the Rankes of the Romanes Of whom those who with most resolution had incountred the enemies being deluded by this doubtfull kind of fight were theÌ„selues somtimes wounded from a far neither had they meanes to strike againe nor to ioyne in hand-fight Before this the Horse-men being instructed by Iugurth wheresoeuer a Troupe of Romanes began to chace retired not closely nor in one grosse but in as much distance as they could one from another Thus being superiour in nuÌ„ber if they could not deterre the enemies from pursuing they incoÌ„passed them being dispersed either from behind or from the flankes But if the hillocke were more opportune for flight then the fields thither the horses of the Numidians vsed vnto it easily passed through the vnder-woods Our men the roughnesse and the ignorance of the place detained But the face of all this conflict was various vncertaine foule and lamentable some being scattered from their fellowes retire others pursue neither rankes nor ensignes they obserue wheresoeuer the danger attached any man there he resisteth and putteth it off armes weapons horses men enemies and Cittizens were blended together nothing was done by counsell nor command fortune swayed all Therefore most of the day was spent when then yea euen then the euent was doubtfull At length all men fainting with toyle and heate Metellus when he saw the Numidians come on more coldly he rallieth by degrees his Souldiers into one body he restoreth the Rankes and opposeth foure legionary Cohorts vnto the enemies Footebands O them a great part being weary rested themselues on the higher grounds Hee intreateth and exhorteth his Souldiers together that they would not faint nor suffer these flying enemies to ouercome that they had neither Camp nor any fortification whither retiring they might betake themselues all the hopes they had lay in their Armes But neither was Iugurth in the meane time out of action he circuâ—teth confirmeth reneweth the battell and himselfe with some chosen men tryeth all things to the vttermost he succoureth his owne side chargeth the wauering enemies by fighting a farre off he ingageth their stay whom he knew to stand firme After this manner two Generals men most
as my selfe in what extremity our affaires are two Armies of our enemies debarre vs one from the Citty the other from Gaule to stay longer here if our resolution could beare it the want of corne and other necessaries prohibites wheresoeuer we meane to goe the way must be opened by the sword Therefore be of a valiant and prepared mind and when you shall begin the battel remember that you carry in your right hands riches renowne and glory with your liberty and Country besides If we ouercome all things will be secured to vs aboundant prouisions the priuiledged Townes and Colonies will discouer but if we shrinke for feare these will all proue our enemies Neither will any place or friend shelter him whom his armes shall not protect Besides my Souldiers the same necessity is not impendent ouer vs and them wee contend for Country liberty and life they are at leisure to fight for tyranny of some few For which cause fall on more couragiously being mindfull of your ancient vertue It had beene lawfull for vs to haue protracted our liues in exile with the most disgrace that could be some of you at Rome hauing lost your owne might haue expected other mens riches Because these courses seemed base and vnsufferable for men you resolued to pursue these other If you will relinquish these there is need of courage No man except the Conquerour hath changed warre for peace For to seeke safety by flight when you shall diuert your armes from your enemies by which the body is defended that is madnesse indeed Alwayes in a battle their danger is greatest who feare most courage is accounted for a wall When I consider you my Souldiers and when I esteeme your braue actes a great hope of victory doth possesse me your resolution age and vertue perswade me besides the necessity which also makes the cowards valiant For that the multitude of our enemies may not inclose vs the fastnesse of the place forbids but if fortune shall enuy your valour beware that you lose not your liues vnreuenged nor that being taken you be slaine like beasts rather then fighting like men to leaue a bloody mournfull victory vnto the enemies As soone as he had spoken thus pausing a little he commaunds the warlike instruments to sound and drawes out his Troupes in order vnto a conuenient place then all the horses being remoued to the intent that the danger being made equall courage might be amplified in his Souldiers hee himselfe on foot arangeth his Army as the place and his numbers required For whereas the plaine was seated between mountaines on the left hand and on the right hand it was rough with rockes he placeth eight Cohorts in front his other Troups he imbattailes for succour in a more close order Out of these hee drawes all the Centurions and the selected men that had serued out their yeeres besides euery one of the common Souldiers that was best armed into the Van of the Vanguard Hee commands C. Manlius to take charge in the right wing and a certaine Fesilan in the left he himselfe with the freed-men and those of the Colonies tooke vp his station before the Standard of the Eagle which Marius was said to haue in his Army in the Cimbrian war But on the other side C. Antonius because being lame of his feet he could not be present at the battle commits the whole charge of his Army to M. Petreius his Lieutenant Hee imbatailes the old Cohortes which were inrolled because of this tumult in the Frount after them he disposeth the rest of his Forces for aydes of reserue He himselfe riding round about on horse-backe naming euery Commander seuerally coniures perswades and intreates that they would remember how that they were to fight against vnarmed Theeues for their Country children Temples and Families This Martiall man because for more then thirty yeeres he had been with great glory either Tribune Prouost Marshall Lieutenant or Pretour in the Army knew most of the Souldiers and their valiant exploits by rehearsing these he inflamed their courages But as soone as Petreius all things being thus ordered had giuen the signall by sound of Trumpet he commands the Cohorts to aduance a little the enemies Army doth the like After they came to that distance from whence the light armed skirmishers might begin the battle they incounter one another with a mighty noyse and hatefull signes they leaue their Piles and try the matter at swords point The Veteranes mindefull of their ancient vertue presse them hardly at hand fight the others resist without feare on both sides they fought with much fiercenesse In the meane time Catiline with the readiest Souldiers is ingag'd in the point of the Van-garde he succours the distressed sends in fresh supplies for the wounded prouides for all euents he himselfe fights brauely and chargeth the enemy often he performes together all the Offices of a valiant Souldier and worthy Generall Petreius as soone as hee saw Catiline contrary to his expectation to make a forcible impression he brings on the Praetorian Cohort vpon the middest of his enemies and kills them being disordered resisting here and there then he assailes the rest on both sides in flancke Manlius the Fesulan fall with the first After that Catiline saw his Troupes broken and himselfe with some few remaining being minde full of his parentage and former dignity he runnes amongst the thickest of his enemies and fighting there is slaine But the battle being ended then might you discerne how much courage strength of spirit had bin in Catilines Army For almost the same place which each man maintained fighting the same his soule being departed he couered with his body But some few through the middest of whom the Proetorian Cohort broke made a stand differently in diuers places yet all of them fell by faire wounds As for Catiline he was found amongst the carkeises of his foes far from his owne men breathing as yet his last and that fiercenesse of mind which he possessed liuing he retained then in his countenance Lastly of all that number neither in the fight nor flight was any free Cittizen taken prisoner Thus all of them alike spared their owne and their enemies liues Neither yet did the Army of the Roman people obtaine a ioyfull and vnbloody victory For euery man that was most valiant was either slaine or went from the field grieuously wounded But many who issued out of the Campe for view or pillage turning vp the enemies carkeises found some a friend others a guest or a neere kinsman yea there were those who knew their very foes Thus variously gladnesse and griefe mirth mourning were moued throughout all the Army The end of Catilines Conspiracie THE VVARRE OF IVGVRTH Rendred into English by William Crosse Master of Artes of Saint Mary-hall in Oxford LONDON Printed for Tho. Walkley and are to be sold at the Eagle and Childe in Britaines Bursse 1629. To the right Honorable the Lord Harbert of
excellent contended one with another themselues being equall but their helpes vnequall For Metellus was aduantaged by his Souldiers valour the place was disaduantageous to Iugurth all other things but Souldiers serued opportunely Finally the Romanes when they vnderstood that they had no place of refuge and that the enemy disingaged himselfe from fight and that now the euening was come fell off as they were commanded from the opposite hillocke The place of battell being lost the Numidians were rowted and chased some few were slaine the most part swiftnesse and a Country vndiscouered of their enemies preserued from danger In the intercourse of this Bomilcar whom we haue heretofore said to haue beene by Iugurth appointed Commander ouer the Elephants and part of the Foot-bands as soone as Metellus had ouer-reached him hee drawes out his men by little and little into a peece of euen ground and whilest the Lieutenant hastening marcheth to the riuer whither hee was fore-sent without tumult as the occasion required hee imbattaileth his Army neither is he slacke to discouer what the enemies should attempt any where After he was aduertised that Rutilius was sat down and that now hee was secure in mind withall that the noise increased from Iugurths fight fearing lest the Lieutenant the cause being knowne should aide his distressed friends he extendeth his Army with a larger Frount which distrusting the valour of his Souldiers hee had skilfully disposed for the impeaching of the enemies passage and in this order hee aduanceth towards Rutilius Camp The Romanes on the sudden obserue a great rising of dust For the field being beset with Coppises did forbid all prospect and at first they coniectured that the sand was stirred with the wind after when they saw that it continued alike as the Army moued approached neerer the occasion being discouered in haste they take Armes and as they were commanded stand fast before the Campe. Then as soone as they came within conuenient distance with hideous noise they incountred one another The Numidians stayed so long whilst they expected aide from their Elephants after they sawe them intangled with the boughes of the trees and being thus disordered to fetch a compasse about they betake themselues to flight and casting away their Armes for the most part got-off in safety through the fauour of the hillocke and the night which was now at hand Foure Elephants were taken all the rest in number forty were slaine But the Romanes although they were faint and weary through their iourney the pitching of their Tentes and the battell yet for that Metellus stayed longer then opinion being well ordered and resolued they march forwards to meete him For the wilinesse of the Numidians suffred no delay nor slackenesse And first the night being darke after they were come within neere distance with the noise as if it had been of enemies comming on they raised both feare and tumult amongst themselues and through ignorance a lameÌ„table fact was like to haue bin coÌ„mitted except the Vantcurrours sent out from both sides had discouered the matter Thereupon in stead of feare gladnesse arose the Souldiers reioycing call one another to witnesse they relate and heare their exploits euery man extolleth his owne valiant actes euen to the skies Truly this is the condition of humane affaires it is lawfull for cowards to boast in a victory moreouer losses detract from the valiant Metellus staying foure dayes in the same Camp he causeth the wounded to be carefully dressed he rewardeth them who had well deserued in the battell according to the military custome hee praiseth and thanketh them all in a publicke assembly he exhorteth them that as for the rest which would bee feasable with ease they should carry the same resolution for the victory they had already fought enough their other labours should bee for pillage CHAP. 16. Metellus sendeth out espials to discouer Iugurths doings The Numidians fall vpon some Romane straglers and beate them The alarum being taken they retire to the higher grounds FOr all this the Consull in the meane while sent fugitiues and others fit for the purpose to espie where Iugurth was and what he did whether he had few about him or a full Army and how he behaued himselfe being vanquished But he was retired into places full of woods and fortified by nature where he raised an Army eâ—ceeding thâ— first in number of men but vnactiue and weake better acquainted with the affaires of husbandry then warre That happened through this priuiledge for that no Numidian at all followes the King in his flight except the Horse-men Royall Whither euery mans mind leadeth thither he departeth neither is that accounted a Souldiers fault such there customes are Wherefore Metellus when hee saw the King as yet to haue an vndanted mind that the warre was renewed which could not be prosecuted but at the others pleasure besides that he was disaduantaged in fight by the enemies they being vanquished with lesse dammage then his men did vanquish hee determineth with himselfe that the warre was not to be mannaged by set battels nor an aranged Army but by a different course Thereupon hee goeth vnto the most opulent Countries of Numidia hee wasteth the fields he taketh and burneth many Townes and Castles being meanly fortified or without Garrisons he coÌ„mandeth those of military age to be slaine al other things were to be the Souldiers pray Through the terrour of this many hostages were giuen to the Romanes Corne and other vsefull prouisions were supplyed in abundance wheresoeuer occasion required a Garrison was imposed which occurrences much more terrified the King then the battell vnluckily fought by his Souldiers For because he all whose hope consisted in flight was compelled to pursue and he that was vnable to defend his owne was faine to make warre in anothers territories yet from his present distresse he taketh that counsell which seemed best hee commandeth the greatest part of his Army to expect him in the same Quarters he himselfe with some choice Horse-men followeth Metellus thus being vndiscouered in his nocturnall by-way iourneis he assaileth on the sudden the Romane straglers Most of them are slaine vnarmed many are taken prisoners not one of them all escapeth without hurt and the Numidians before they could be releeued from the Campe departed to the next hillockes according as they had orders In the meane time much ioy was conceiued at Rome vpon the knowledge of Metellus proceedings as for that he gouerned himselfe and his Army according to the discipline of their Ancestours that in a place of disaduantage he had vanquished by meere valour that he possessed the enemies Country that Iugurth bearing himselfe proudly vpon Aulus negligence he had constrained him to repose the hope of his safety in flight or in the desarts Thereupon the Senate for these things happily done decreed supplications to the immortall gods The Citty trembling before as being doubtfull of the euent of the warre now solaced her selfe with ioy Of Metellus
he had beene left at Rome But because the occasion doth admonish vs of so braue a man it seemeth expedient to speake briefely of his nature and manners and L. Sisenna who hath prosecuted it most exactly and diligently amongst all those who haue treated of that subiect seemeth to me not to haue spoken with freedome enough Therefore Sylla was a Nobleman of a Patrician race his Family being almost extinguish'd through the slouth of his Ancestours he was learned alike and that most learnedly in the Greeke and Latine tongue he was of a haughty mind greedy of pleasures but more greedy of honour in vacant times hee was luxurious yet pleasure neuer hindred him from his businesse excepting that concerning his wife which might bee more honestly interpreted he was eloquent crafty and facill in friendship to shaddow his affaires the height of his wit was incredible hee was a giuer of many things but most specially of mony and to him being the happiest of all men before the ciuill victory Fortune was neuer aboue his industry and many men doubted whether he were more valiant or fortunate for those things which hee did afterwards I am vncertaine whether I should be more ashamed or greeued to relate Therefore Sylla as hath beene formerly said after he came into Africke and Marius Campe with the Cauallery being before raw and vnexperienced in warre became the most ablest of all men in a short time Besides he saluted the Souldiers curteously he gaue to many vpon request to others out oâ— his owne freedome he receiued henefits vnwillingly but the repayed them sooner then money lent hee required that of no man he rather indeuoured this that most men might be his debtours He communicated his pastimes and serious affaires euen with the meanest in the works in marching and at the watches he was most often present neither in the meane time which wicked ambition is wont to doe did he wound the reputation of the Consull or of any good man onely he suffred none to goe before him in Counsell nor execution about most he got the precedence By these courses and Arts he became in a short space most deare to Marius and the Souldiers But Iugurth after he haâ— lost the Towne of Capsa with other places of strength commodious for himselfe and withall a great masse of mony he sendeth Messengers vnto King Bocchus that hee should come with all speed into Numidia that the season serued to giue battell whom when hee heard to make delayes and doubtfully to protract the meanes both of warre and peace againe as before hee corrupteth those that were next vnto him with gifts and hee promiseth vnto the Moore himselfe a third part of Numidia if either the Romanes were driuen out of Africke or the war were coÌ„pounded his owne Dominions remaining intire Bocchus allured with this reward goeth ouer to Iugurth with a great multitude Thus both their Armies being ioyned they set vpon Marius now marching into his winter Garrisons scarce a tenth part of the day being left thinking that the night which was now at hand would be a safegard to theÌ„ being vaÌ„quished if they should vanquish would be no impediment because they knew the ground and to the Romanes both fortunes would proue more disaduaÌ„tagous in the dark Therefore as soone as the Consull was informed by many of the enemies comming the enemies themselues were also come and before the army could be imbattayled or the baggage gathered together finally before it could receiue any signall or commaÌ„d the Moorish GetuliaÌ„ horse-men not in front nor in any forme of battel but in a disorderly troupe as chance gaue theÌ„ meanes to ioyne fell on vpon our men All of whom trembling with sudden feare but yet mindfull of their valour did either take Armes or defended others from the enemies as they tooke them One part mounted their horses to issue forth to incounter the foe the fight was more like to a skirmish of Theeues then to a battell without Ensignes without rankes the Horse and Foot were blended together some fell others killed many circumuented those from behind who sought eagerly against those who opposed them in frount neither valour nor Armes defended sufficiently for that the enemies were more in number and euery where dispersed round about finally the old and new Romans and in that shewing themselues expert Souldiers if place or chance coÌ„â—ioyned any they did cast themselues into round battalions so being equally defended and ordered on all parts they sustained the enemies impression Neither in this so difficult a businesse was Marius terrified or deiected in mind any more then before but with his owne Troupe of Horse which he had raised rather out of the most valiaÌ„t then out of those which were most his familiears he courseth vp downe euery where and some times he succoureth his owne men being distressed sometimes he assaileth the enemies with his owne hand whereas being thickest they made most resistance He aduiseth his Souldiers because all of them being disordered hee could not command And now the day was spent when as yet the Barbarians grewe nothing slacke and thinking the night to aduantage them as the Kings had giuen order they fell on more fiercely Then Marius taketh counsell from the necessity of his affaires and that he might haue a place of retreate for his owne men hee surprizeth two hillockes being neere together in one of which not large enough for incamping there was a goodly fountaine of water the other was opportune for vse because being for the most part high and steepe it needed little fortifying Besides hee commandeth Sylla to stay all night at the water with the Horsemen He himselfe reallieth by degrees the disbanded Souldiers into one Grosse the enemies being no lesse disordered Then he withdraweth them all with a full march vnto the hillocke Thus the Kings inforced with the difficulty of the place are deterred from the fight But both hillockes being inuironed with the multitude and not snffering their owne men to depart further they quartered seuerally VpoÌ„ this many fires being made the Barbarians for most part of the night reioyce boast and make great outcries according to their custome and the Captaines themselselues were proud because they fled not and carried themselues as if they had beene victorious But all these passages were easily discerned by the Romanes out of the darkenesse and the higher places and serued them for a great incouragement But most of all Marius being confirmed by the vnskilfulnesse of the enemy commandeth the greatest silence to be obserued Not so much as the warlike instruments did sound at the setting of the watches Then as soon as the light approached the enemies being now wearied end not long before attached with sleepe he commandeth the Trumpets of the tributary Troupes with all those of the Cohorts Horse-Troupes and Legions to sound their instruments all together the Souldiers had orders to raise a great clamour and to sally out
so besotted that being forgetfull of Cinnaes mischiefes by whose returne into the Citty all orders and decency were ouerthrowne you will neuerthelesse submit your selues your wiues and children to Lepidus what need is there of decrees what need of Catulus assistance but that he and other good men must vndertake in vaine the charge of the Republicke Doe as you will prouide for your selues the patronages of Cethegus and other Traitours who desire to renew rapines and fierings and to arme their hands against their household gods But if liberty and warres delight you more institute decrees worthy of your name and giue incouragement to valiant men A new Army is at hand and besides the Colonies of the old Souldiers all the Nobility with the ablest Commanders Fortune followes the best men Now those succours which are raised will be dissolued through your negligence Wherefore my censure is this that since Lepidus out of his owne priuate counsell contrarie to the authority of this order leadeth an Army vnto the Citty composed of most wicked men and Enemies to the Common-wealth that Appius Claudius the Interregent with Q. Catulus the Proconsull and others who haue orders for it shall be carefull to gard the Citty and indeuour that the CoÌ„monwealth suffer no detriment Collections out of the second booke of SALVSTS Fragments The magnificent entertainment of Metellus in Spaine BVt Metellus returning after one yeere into the further Spaine is receiued with great honour both of men and women who ran forth to see him from the high wayes and house toppes when as C. Vrbinus the Treasuror and others knowing his minde inuited him to supper they regarded equally the custome of Romanes and men the houses being adorned with Tapistry and Ensignes and with Scaffolds raised for the shew of the Stage-plaiers withall the ground was strowed with Saffron and other Pageants were showne in the forme of a most magnificent Temple Moreouer the Image of victory being let downe with a fixt loupe-window after the counterfeited noise of thunder imposed a Crowne vpon his head then with Frankincense supplications were made to him as to some new-come god An imbroidred gowne was his vsuall garment when he sate downe to eate his bankets were most exquisite neither were they furnished onely out of the whole Prouince but diuers strange kindes of birds and beasts were fetcht out of Mauritania By meanes whereof he somewhat obscured his glory especially amongst the ancient and religious men who thought these courses to bee proud vnsufferable and vnworthy of the Romane Empire Collections out of the third booke of SALVSTS Historicall Fragments The Epistle of Cu. Pompeius to the Senate being necessitated in the Sertorian warre IF against you my Country and houshold gods I had as often vndertooke labours and dangers as from my first youth your mortallest enemies haue beene beaten vnder my conduct and safety hath beene procured for your selues you could determine nothing worse against me being absent then now yee doe O ye Conscript Fathers whom being thrust out contrary to my age into a most cruell warre with a most well deseruing Army you haue as much as lyeth in you consumed with hunger the wretchedst death of all others With this hope did the Roman people send forth their children vnto the warre Are these rewards for wounds and blood so often shed for the Common-wealth Being tyred with writing and sending of Agents I haue spent all my priuate hopes and fortunes when in the meane time for these three yeeres scarce one yeeres meanes hath beene supplied from you By the immortall gods what thinke you can I make good the Office of the Treasury or maintaine an Army without corne and pay Verily I confesse that I went to this warre with more desire then counsell because hauing onely receiued the name of command from you in forty dayes I raised an Army and remoued the enemie lying vpon the neâ—ke of Italy from the Alps into Spain Through them I discouered another passage from that of Hanâ—ibals being more opportune for vs. I recouered Gaule the Pyâ—enaean Lacetanian and Ilergeâ—an Regions and sustained the first assault of conquering Sâ—rtoâ—ius with new Souldiers and â—ewer by farre and spent all the winter in Campe amongst most fierce enemies not in townes nor out of my owne ambitious choice Besides what should I recount batells fought or winter expeditions townes rased oâ— recouered when as deedes are more to bee regarded theâ— words The Enemies Camp surprized at Sucro a battell fought at the Riuer Durius and Caius Herennius one of their chiefe Captaines being subdued together with the Citty of Valentia and his Armie are things sufficiently knowne vnto you For which seruices O yee thankefull Fathers yee requite me with want and famine So that the same condition attends mine and the Enemies Army for pay is giuen to neither Both of them may come victorious into Italy Which I doe admonish and intreate you to consider and that you would not inforce me with necessities to prouide priuately for my selfe The hither Spaine which is not possessed by the enemies we or Sertorius haue quite wasted except the greatest Citties which of themselues are both a charge and burthen to vs. Gaule all this last yeere releeued Metellus Army with pay and Corne and now hauing had an ill haruest she her selfe doth hardly subsist I haue not onely spent my owne estate but credit also You remaine as yet who except you afford succours in despite of me and all my premonitions the Army will march from hence and with it all the warre of Spaine will passe into Italy The Oration of M. Lepidus Tribune of the people vnto the people IF you should not well consider O yee Romanes what difference might be betwixt the gouernment left vnto vs by our Ancestours and this seruitude prepared by Sylla it were requisite for me to discourse at large and shew for what iniuries and how often the armed Commonalty disunited themselues from the Fathers and how they procured Tribunes of the people to vindicate their right That which remaines now is onely to exhort and to goe the direct way by which I thinke liberty may be regained Neither doth it ouerpasse me how great supports of the Nobility I being alone and impotent with the vaine shadow of Magistracy onely must vndertake to remoue from the gouernment and how much more securely the wicked liue then the forelorne innocent But besides the good hope conceiued of you which hath subdued feare it hath beene my resolution that the difficulties of contending in the case of liberty beseeme more a valiant man then not to haue contended at all Although all other Magistrates created for yoâ—r right haue conuerted all their power and commaunds against you induced with fauour hope or rewards and hold it better to offend for hire then to doe well for bare thankes Therefore all are inthralled vnder the tyranny of some few who vnder a military pretence haue vsurped the Treasury Kingdomes Armies and
thy good fortunes together The storme of a new warre falling vpon Tigranes and my vnprosperous estate if thou shalt ballance them truely will serue for a most speciall incouragement For he being offended will entertaine Aliance as thou wilt fortune to me after the losse of many things hath giuen the benefit of aduising well and that which is to be wished for of men that flourish I being the weakest represent an example by which thou mayest compose thy affaires more orderly For this hath beene the onely and ancient cause with the Romanes of warring with Nations Kings and People the profound desire of rule and riches out of which they first ingaged warre with Philip King of the Macedonians Whilst they were pressed by the Carthaginians counterfeiting friendship with a guile they diuerted Antiochus comming to his succours by the intire graunt of Asia And forthwith after Philip Antiochus was despoiled of all the territory on this side Taurus and of ten thousand talents Then Perses the Sonne of Philip being receyued into protection by the Samothracian gods after many and various conflicts they being cunning and inuenters of the trecherie killed him sleeping because they had granted him life by compromise Eâ—â—menes of whose friendship they gloriously vaunt at first they betrayed to Antiochus as the price of peace Afterwards they made Attalus being Gardian onely of a captiued Country from a King to become the miserablest of slaues by the taxes and contumelies layd vpon him and an impious testament being forged they led his Sonne Aristonicus in triumph after a hostill manner because he sought his Fathers Kingdome They haue besieged Asia finally Nicomedes being dead they haue surprized all Bithynia when as the sonne of Nusa whom they called Queene was borne without all doubt For what should I name my selfe whom being disioyned euery where by Kingdomes and Tetrarchies from their Empire because the report was that I was rich and would not serue they prouoked with warre by Nicomedes not altogether ignorant of their villany as hauing giuen test of those things which happened afterwards that onely amongst all men the Cretensians and King Ptolomie were free at that season But I reuenging my wrongs expelled Nicomedes out of Bithynia and recouered Asia the spoile of King Antiochus and freed Greece from a grieuous seruitude My proceedings Archelaus the basest of my seruants hindred by betraying my Army and they whom cowardice or mischieuous cunning restrained from Armes thinking that they should be safe-garded by my labours suffer now most cruell punishments Ptolomie for a price delayes the day of warre The Cretensians assaulted once already are to expect no end but ruine Truely when I was informed that by reason of their owne intestine miseries warre was rather deferred then peace granted Tigranes condescending who approues my words too late thou being farre remoued and all others obnoxious for all this I vndertooke the warre againe and defeated Marcus Cotta Generall of the Romanes at Chalcedon in a Land-battell at Sea I despoiled him of a most goodly Fleet. Staying at the siege of Cicicus with a great Army corne failed no man all about bringing reliefe withall the winter debarred the benefit of the Sea Thus being constrained without the enemies force to returne into my natiue Kingdome I lost with wrackes at Para and Heraclea the best of my Souldiers together with my Fleetes Afterwards my Army being reinforced at Cabira and sundry battels passing betwixt me and Lucullus want inuaded both of vs againe He had for reliefe the Kingdome of Ariobarzuris not touched as yet by the warre I all the Regions adiacent being wasted came into Armenia and the Romanes following not me but their custome of subuerting all Kingdomes because in those fastnesses they restrained the multitude from fight they account Tigranes imprudence for a victory Now I pray consider whether after our conquest thou canst thinke thy selfe more firme for resistance or that the warre will be at an end I know for certaine that thou art abundantly stored with men Armes and money and for this cause thou art desired by vs for the society of the warre by them for a prey Besides it is the counsell of Tigranes his Kingdome being intire to finish the warre with little labour farre from home by the bodies of our well experienced Souldiers since we can neither vanquish nor be vanquished without thy danger Are you ignorant that the Romanes after the Ocean had limited their Conquests to the westward conuerted their Armes hither and that they had nothing froÌ„ the beginning which was their own not so much as their houses wiues fields nor Empire they were in times past a medley of strangers without Countrie without Parents created for the plague of the world whom not humane nor diuine Lawes can restraine but that they will force and ruine their friends and Alies whether liuing neere or remote poore or powerfull and all that are not their vassalls but specially Kingdomes they esteeme for enemies For few desire liberty the greatest part iust Masters we are suspected for emulatours and auengers in future time But thou who hast Seleucia the greatest of Citties and the Kingdom of Persia renowned for riches what dost thou expect from them but deceit for the present and warre afterwards The Romanes are armed against all men but most fiercely against those who being conquered can yeeld the greatest spoiles by daring and deceiuing and by raising warres out of warres they are growne mighty By this course they will ruine all or perish the last of which is not difficult if thou from Mesopotamia we from Armenia surround their Army wanting corne wanting aydes Fortune is as yet intire through our defaults And this fame will follow thee vndertaking the succour of mighty Kings that thou hast suppressed the robbers of the Nations Which thing we warne perswade thee to doe and that thou wouldest not with our destruction inlarge their onely Empire rather then by our Aliance to be the Conqerour Collections out of the fifth booke of SALVSTS Historicall Fragments The Oration of Ca. Cotta the Consull to the people MAny dangers O ye Romanes haue happened to me both at home and abroad many calamities some of which I haue suffered others I haue repelled by the ayde of the gods and my owne vertue in all which neither my minde was wanting to my businesse nor labour to my resolutions Aduerse and prosperous affaires changed wealth not my wit But contrariwise in these miseries all things haue forsaken me besides old age greeuous in it selfe doth redouble my care to whom being wretched it is not lawfull in these my last yeeres to hope for an honest death For if I am a Paricide of you and being borne for you haue vilified my houshold gods my Country and this most glorious Empire what torment is sufficient for me in my life or what punishment after death when with my wickednesse I haue exceeded all the punishments mentioned in hell From my first youth I
Rome gaue for a donatiue to the King whatsoeuer Citties and territories they had got in this conquest for which cause Massinissaes friend-ship remained firme and faithfull vnto vs. But his life and Empire ended together After him his son Micipsa obtained the Kingdome alone Mastanabal and Gulussa his brethren being dead of sickenesse He begot Adherbal and Hiempsal and brought vp Iugurth the sonne of his brother Mastanabal whom because borne of a Concubine Massinissa had left priuate with the same education that he did his owne children who assoone as hee came to ripe yeeres excelling with strength and comelinesse of countenance but most of all with an able wit he gaue not himselfe ouer to the corruptions of luxurie and slouth but as the custome of that Nation is to riding darting and in race matches to contend with his equals and though hee out-went all men in glory yet was hee deare to them all Besides he spent most of his time in hunting he would assaile the Lion and other wild beasts first or with the first he did the most and spake least of himselfe For which causes although Micipsa reioyced at the beginning as deeming that Iugurths vertue would be an honour to his Kingdome yet when he considered that this young man he himselfe being old and his children little improued himselfe more and more being much moued with the occasion hee pondered many things in his mind The nature of men being couetous of command and prone to fulfill their owne desires besides the opportunity of his owne and his childrens age which also for hope of gaine alters the course of temperate men afforded him matter of terrour as likewise did the Numidians affections wholy bent vpon Iugurth from whom he was doubtfull that some sedition or warre would proceed if he should treacherously kill so worthy a person Being inuironed with these difficulties when he saw that neither by force nor fraude he could oppresse a man so popularly beloued he resolues for that Iugurth was valiant of hand and desirous of military glory to expose him to dangers and that way to try his fortunes Thereupon in the Numantine warre when as Micipsa was to send Aydes of Horse and Foote vnto the people of Rome hoping that either by the ostentation of his valour or the enemies furie he would be soone slaine he giues him the chiefe command ouer those Numidians which he sent into Spaine But the euent of this was farre otherwise then he expected For Iugurth as he was of an actiue and sharpe conceite when he found out the disposition of Pu. Scipio Generall as then for the Romanes and withall the enemies behauiour by much labour and much care besides by obeying modestly and incountring dangers willlingly hee came to that renoune in a short time that to our men he was very deare to the Numantines very dreadfull and for certaine which is a thing most difficult he was valiant in battle and wise in counsell one of which commonly out of prouidence begets feare the other out of boldnesse begets temerity Therefore the Generall performed for the most part all difficult affaires by Iugurth he rankt him amongst his friends and honoured him euery day more then other as one whose counsell and vndertaking neuer failed To these were adioined munificence of mind and dexterity of wit by which qualities he aduantaged himselfe with the familiar friendship of many Romanes At that time sundry vpstarts and Noblemen serued in our Armie who preferred riches before that which was good and decent being factious and powerfull at home more popular amongst their companions then honest in themselues who by promises had kindled great hopes in Iugurth that when King Micipsa once dyed he alone should inioy the Kingdome of Numidia in him there was a large portion of vertue at Rome all things were to be sold But after that when Numantia being destroyed P. Scipio resolued to dismisse his Aydes and to returne home himselfe he brought Iugurth with intent to reward and honour him before the assembly into the Praetorian Tent And there in secret gaue him these admonitions that he should rather publickly then priuately obserue the friendship of the Roman people that he should not accustome himselfe to particular largesses those fauours would be bought dangerously from some few in which many were interessed if he would be constant to his owne courses renowne and the Kingdome would come to him freely but if hee should proceed with too much haste he and his money would be ruined together Hauing spoken thus he dismissed him with letters which hee was to deliuer vnto Micispa The contents of them were these The valour of thy Iugurth in the Numantine warre hath beene most remarkable which for certaine I know reioyceth thee hee is for his merits deare to vs that hee may be so to the Senate and people of Rome we shall endeuour with all our power I am sincerely thankfull to thee for our friendship Behold you haue a man worthy of your selfe and his grandfather Massinissa Therefore the King as soone as hee saw those things confirmed by the Generals letters which he had formerly heard by a common fame moued with the worth and respect of the man resolues to winne Iugurth with his bounty thereupon he adopted him by his testament ordained him coheire with his sonnes But he himselfe after some few yeeres being spent with sickenesse and old age when he perceiued his end of life to approach was said to haue had these words with Iugurth his friends and kinsmen and his sonnes being present I entertained thee into my Kingdome O Iugurth being a child left without hope without fortunes conceiuing that I should be as much indeared to thee for my benefits as if I had beene thy naturall father neither hath this opinion deceiued me For to omitte others of thy great and glorious exploits returning lately from Numantia thou hast honoured both me and my Kingdome with glory and by thy vertue hast made the Romans of Confederates most intimate friends The name of our family is renewed in Spaine finally which is a thing most difficult amongst mortals with glory thou hast vanquished enuy Now because nature doth an end to my life I doe warne and coniure thee by this right hand and the Kingdomes allegeance that thou wilt regard louingly these my children who are thy kinsmen by birth thy brethren by the benefit of my adoption nor that thou wouldst rather adioyne strangers vnto thee then retaine them conioyned in blood Not Armies nor treasure are the safeguards of a Kingdome but friends whom thou canst neither force by Armes nor get with gold by good offices fidelity they are procured But who can be more a friend then a brother to a brother or what strāger shall you find faithfull when you shall be an enemie to your owne flesh and blood Surely I leaue you a Kingdome strong if you be good weake if you be wicked for by concord small things increase bydiscord
an honorable report was spred Thereupon by so much the more eagerly he striueth for victory making all possible speed in the pursuite thereof yet being cautelous from giuing any opportunity to the enemy he well knew that enuy attended on glory thus by how much the more he was renowned by so much was hee the more carefull neither after this stratagem of Iugurths did hee pillage any more with his Army disbanded When it was needfull to prouide corne or forrage the Cohorts with the Cauallery made a standing-guard He himselfe commanded one part of the Army Marius the other But more with fire then driuing of preyes was the Country wasted In two seuerall places not farre remote they did incamp themselues when it was requisite to vse force they ioyned all their forces but for the further dispersing of feare and flight they tooke vp their Quarters apart from one another As then Iugurth followed aloofe ouer the hillockes seeking a conuenient time or place for fight where hee heard that the enemy approached hee spoileth the forrage and Fountaines of both which there was much scarcity sometimes he sheweth himselfe to Metellus sometimes to Marius he assaileth those who had the Reare in marching and forthwith retireth to the mountaines againe he menaceth them one after another he neither ingageth fight nor suffereth them to rest hee onely attacheth the Enemie in his course of proceeding The Romane Generall when he saw himselfe wearied with these wiles and that the enemies debarred him from the opportunity of fighting he resolueth to beleaguer Zama a great City and in that part where it was seated one of the bulwarkes of the Kingdome thinking that Iugurth as the occasion required would come to releeue his people being in distresse and so a battell would be fought But he being informed of this by Fugitiues with great iournies ouer marcheth Metellus he exhorteth the Cittizens to defend the walles the fugitiues being added for aydes which kind of men amongst all the Kings Forces stood most firme vnto him because they had not credit enough to deceiue Moreouer he promiseth that he himselfe would come to their succours in time conuenient Things being thus ordered he departeth into places most couert and within a while after getteth intelligence that Marius was sent out of the vsuall roade vnto Sicca to puruey corne with some few Cohorrs Which towne first of all after the battell lost reuolted from the King Thither with some selected Horse-men he marcheth by night and the Romans being vpon the point of issuing he chargeth them in the very gate withall he exhorteth those of Sicca alowd to incompasse the Cohorts behind that fortune gaue them the opportunity of a braue exploite if they should performe it that hereafter hee should during life be secured in his Kingdome they in their liberty And except Marius had with haste made the Ensignes to march and to passe out of the Towne surely all or the greatest part of the Inhabitants had turned reuolters With such inconstancy the Numidians demeane themselues But the Iugurthine Souldiers being somewhat comforted by the King after when their enemies pressed them more forcibly Some few being lost the rest saued themselues by flight CHAP. 16. Marius comming to Zama Metellus inuesteth it round about with both their Forces but is in fine repulsed after two assaults MArius arriueth at Zama That Towne is seated in a Champion field it was more fortified by art then nature wanting no prouisions requisite being well furnished with Armes and Souldiers Vpon this Metellus all preparations being made befitting the time and place inuested the walls round with his Army hee commandeth the Lieutenants where each man should take charge Then vpon a signall giuen at once from all parts ariseth a hideous noise Neither doth this terrifie the Numidians without tumult they remaine angry and ready the fight is begun The Romanes euery one according to his inclination fight some with Leaden plummets and stones missiuely cast some giue backe others fall on and now they sap the wall then againe they make an attempt by Scalado being desirous to come to hand-fight To encounter this the Townesmen tumble down great stones vpon the neerest they throwe Speares Dartes and withall burning Torches with Pitch and Brimstone But not those whose stations were furthest off the cowardice of minde defended sufficiently for most of them were wounded with Iauelins discharged from Engines or the hand And in like danger but vnlike renowne both the valiant and cowards were Whilst they fight thus at Zama Iugurth suddainly assaileth with great numbers the Camp of his enemies they being slacke in their duties who had the guard and expecting nothing lesse then fight he violently forceth one of the Portes But our men being terrified with the sudden fright all of them prouide for themselues according to their seuerall dispositions some fly others arme a great number are wounded or slaine So that of all that multitude not aboue forty mindfull of the Romane name trouping together surprized a peece of ground somewhat higher then the other neither could they be remoued thence with their greatest forces but the weapons missiuely sent they send backe againe few against many lesse missing their aimes But if the Numidians approached neerer there truely they shewed their valour and with mighty strength they beate route and chase In the meane time Metellus whilest eagerly hee prosecuteth the assault heard from behind a cry and tumult of enemies then turning about his horse he obserued that the flight made towards him which shewed that it was of his owne people Thereupon hee sendeth speedily all the Cauallery vnto the Camp and forthwith after C. Marius with the Cohorts of the Confederates and weeping he coniureth him by his friendship and by the Common wealth that he would suffer no disgrace to be fastened vpon his victorious Army nor the enemies to depart vnreuenged He brieâ—ly executefh his orders But Iugurth was hindred with the fortifications of the Camp when as some threw themselues head-long ouer the Rampier others making hast arrested one another in the narrow passage Metellus the businesse being vneffected when night was come returned into the Camp with his Army Therefore the next day before he issued out to the assault he commandeth all the Cauallery to attend before the Camp on that part where the Kings aduenue was the Ports and the places next adioyning he distributeth to the Tribunes then he himselfe marcheth to the towne and as on the former day assaulteth the wall In the meane while Iugurth out of couert suddenly inuadeth our men Those who were aranged in the fore-frount being somewhat terrified are disordered the residue quickly come to their succours Neither could the Numidians haue longer resisted but that their footmen intermingled with their horse-men had made a great slaughter vpon the first incounter on whom they relying did not as it is vsuall in a battell of horse-men fall on and then wheele about but they charged with
all became equall CHAP. 23. The Kings retire into the desarts Metellus goeth to Rome Marius besieged Capsa and after some difficulties taketh it by force BVt the Kings as soone as they vnderstood of Marius comming depart diuersly into places of difficnlt accesse Thus it seemed good to Iugurth hoping ere long hee should surprize his enemies straggling and that the Romans as most men doe feare being remoued would carry themselues more loosly and licentiously Metellus in the mean time going to Rome iâ— contrary to his expectaâ—tion receiued with much ioy being esteemed alike of the Fathers and people after their hatred was once allayed But Marius readily and wisely attended his owne and the enemies affaires hee knew what was expeâ—dient or not for both he discouered the iourneyes of the Kings hee preuented their counsels and Stratagems he suffred no slackenesse with himselfe nor safety with them Therefore both the Getulians and Iugurth driuing preyes from our Confederates he often assailing defeated them in their iourneyes and disarmed the King himselfe not farre from the Towne of Cirtha which exploits when he perceiued to be onely glorious not conducing to the finishing of the warre hee resolueth to besiege the Citties one after another which in respect of the place or people were most aduaÌ„tageous for the enemy against himselfe Thus either Iugurth would be despoiled of his aydes if he suffred this or else must come to the tryall of a battell For Bocchus had many times sent MesseÌ„gers to the CoÌ„sul shewing that he desired the frieÌ„dship of the Romane people that heâ— should feare no act of hoâ—stility from him Whether he conterfeited this to the intent that being vnlooked for he might inuade with more annoyance or that through the leuity of his disposition he was wont to change the resolutions of peace and warre it remaines vndiscouered But the Consull as he had resolued marcheth to the Townes and fortified Castles some by force others by terrour or by promising rewards he withdraweth from the enemies And first his vndertakings were meane thinking that Iugurth for defending his own would come within danger But when he heard that he was absent a farre off and imployed vpon other affaires it seemed high time for him to vndertake things more great and difficult There lay amongst the vast desarts a faire Towne and strong called Capsa whose founder Hercules the Lybian was said to bee The Citizens were priuiledged by Iugurth liuing vnder a gentle command and for these respects were held most faithfull They were fortified against enemies not onely with walls armes and Souldiers but that which is much more with the roughnesse of the Region for besides the places next to the Towne all the rest were wast for want of manuring skant of water infested with Serpents whose violence as of all other wilde beasts growes more outragious by the scarcity of meate Besides the nature of Serpents pernicious in it selfe is more inflamed with thirst then any thing else Of gaining this piece an earnest desire possessed Marius as well for the vse of the warre as also for that it seemed a difficult matter and Metellus had with great glory taken the Towne of Thala seated and fortified not much vnlike but that at Thala there were some fountaines not far from the walls The Capsians had onely one spring of water and that within the Towne as for the rest they vsed raine That inconuenience both there and in all Africke which being far from the sea lay vncultiued is suffred with lesse greeuance because the Numidians for the most part fed on milke and the flesh of wilde beasts and neither sought for salt nor other prouocations of gluttony food serued them against hunger and thirst not for lust nor luxury Therefore the Consull all things being discouered relying as I thinke on the gods for against so great difficulties hee could not sufficiently prouide by counsell because also he was assailed with want of Corne for that the Numidians are more addicted to grazing of Cattell then tillage and whatsoeuer croppe was growne they had bestowed by the Kings command in places of strength but the fields at that time were dry and bare of graine for it was the last of Summer doth notwithstanding as he could make preparation with prouidence enough he giueth out all the Cattell which he had formerly gotten by predation to be driuen by the Auxiliary horse-men hee commandeth A. Manlius his Lieutenant with the light-armed Cohorts to goe to the Towne of Liâ—is where he had placed the pay and victuals himselfe going to take preyes meant to be there within a few dayes Thus his enterprize being concealed he marcheth to the riuer Tana But as he trauailed he distributed the Cattell daily by equall proportions vnto his Army throughout the Centuries and Horse-troupes and tooke order that bottles might be made of the hides thus together hee eased the want of Corne and all men being ignorant of his purpose he prepared those things which would be forthwith vsefull Finally on the sixth day when they came to the riuer a great number of bottles was made There the Campe being pitched with a slight fortification hee commandeth the Souldiers to eate and to march out with the setting of the Sunne that all the baggage being quitted they should with water onely lade themselues and the beasts of carriage Then when the time came he issueth forth of the Camp and hauing trauailed all the night he resteth he doth the same on the next and the third long before day light he arriueth in a place full of little hilles not distant aboue two miles from Capsa and there as couertly as he could he maketh a stand with all his Army But as soone as it was open day and the Numidians fearing no hostility came forth of the Towne in great numbers he suddenly commandeth all the Horsemen and with these the nimblest Foot-men to march to Capsa with full speed and to blocke vp the gates thereupon hee himselfe being intentiue followeth hastily neither doth he suffer the Souldiers to pillage Which things when the Townes-men knew their desperate estate their mighty feare the vnexpected mischiefe together with a great part of their Citizens in the hands of enemies inforced them to make a surrender But the Towne was burnt the Numidian youth were slaine all the rest were sold the prey was deuided to Souldiers This outrage contrary to the Law of Armes was not done through the auarice or mischieuous disposition of the Consull but because the place was for Iugurth opportune for vs difficult in regard of accesse the people were inconstant and faithlesse before neuer subiected by feare nor benefit After Marius had finished so high a worke without any losse of his owne men being heretofore great and excellent hee now began to be accounted greater and excellenter all his vncouncellable actions were interpreted to be vertuous the Souldiers being ruled with a modest command and rich besides praised him aboue measure the