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
their horses meeting brest to brest they entred and broke the frount of our Army so making vse of their ready footmen they held the enemies for almost vanquished In the intercourse of this they fought at Zama with great violence where any Lieutenant of a Legion or Tribune had charge there they stroue with most courage neither had any man more hope in anothers helpe then in him selfe The like the Townes-men did they fought or were ready for it in all places more eagerly they wounded one another then guarded themselues The noise was confounded with incouraging gladnesse and groaning besides the clashing of Armes pierceth the heauens Missiue weapons fly from both sides But those who defended the walls when the enemies slackned the fight intentiuely beheld the horse-battell Then as any of Iugurths actions proceed you might obserue them to be somtimes merry sometimes fearefull and as they could be heard or seene of their fellowes some of them admonish others incourage or signifie with their hands or bend with their bodies Hither and thither they moue as they were flying or discharging weapons Which as soone as Marius knew for hee commanded in that part hee proceedeth more slackely then it was decreed counterfeiteth a distrust of the businesse hee suffreth the Numidians without tumult to view the Kings battell thus they being fixt vpon the care of their owne side on the sudden he assaulteth the wall most forcibly and now the Souldiers quitting their scaling ladders had almost surprized the battlements when as the Townesmen troope together they powre downe stones fire and other missiue weapons besides Our men at first make resistance after when one and then others of their ladders were broken and those who stood vpon them were thrown down the rest in the best manner they could fewe being vnhurt the greatest part wounded make their escape At length night parted the fight on both sides Metellus when hee saw that the enterprise wts frustrated that neither the Towne was taken nor that Iugurth ingaged fight except it were out of ambush or places by him chosen and that now the Summer was spent he departeth from Zama and in those Citties which had reuolted from him and were sufficiently fortified with walls or situation hee placeth Garrisons The remainder of his Army he disposeth in the Prouince next to Numidia in regard of wintring there Neither doth hee afford that time as others were wont to rest and riot but because the warre had but meane proceeding by Armes he layeth snares for the King by his friends and resolueth to vse their perfidiousnesse for Armes Therefore with many promises he assaieth Bomilcar who had beene at Rome and secretly baile being giuen had escaped Iudgement for killing Massiua because that hee by meanes of his neerest friendshippe had the best meanes of deceiuing and first he wrought that hee should come to him in secret vnder the colour of conference then by giuing his faith that if hee deliuered Iugurth aliue or slaine he should be assured the Senate would grant him impunity and whatsoeuer was his owne he easily perswadeth the Numidian being as well of a faithlesse disposition as also fearefull that if peace were made with the Romanes he vpon the conditions should be deliuered ouer to punishment He as soone as the first opportunity serued visiteth Iugurth being perplexed and bewailing his fortunes he doth admonish and with teares coniure him that at length he would prouide for himselfe his children and the Numidian people which had best deserued in all conflicts they had beene foiled the Country was wasted many men were taken and slaine the strength of the Kingdome was exhausted enough oftentimes had they tried already fortune and the Souldiers valour he should beware lest himselfe protracting time the Numidians secured themselues With these and other such like speeches he moued the King to resolue vpon yeelding CHAP. 17. Iugurth sendeth Ambassadours to Metellus Hee yeeldeth himselfe and his Kingdome to the Romane people Afterwards he reretracteth A description of Marius AMbassadours are sent to the Generall who should declare that Iugurth would performe his commands and without any composition would surrender himselfe and his Kingdome vnto his trust Metellus speedily commandeth all those of the Senatorian degree to be sent for out of their wintring places of them and others whom hee thought fit hee assembleth a Councell Thus according to the custome of their Ancestours by the Decree of the Councell he demandeth from Iugurth by his Ambassadours two hundred thousand pounds of siluer all his Elephants and a proportion of Horses and Armes Which being accomplished without delay he appointed them to bring all their fugitiues bound a great part of them were brought according to appointment some few as soone as the surrender was made escaped vnto King Bocchus into Mauritania Therevpon Iugurth being dispoiled of Armes men and money when as he himselfe was summoned to lay his command vpon Tisidium he againe began to change his resolution and from a guilty conscience to feare deserued punishment finally many dayes being spent in doubts when as now thorugh the irkesomnesse of his aduersity all things seemed better then warre then againe when he pondered with himselfe how grieuous a downefall it would be from a Kingdom into seruitude many and great aides being lost to no purpose he reneweth the warre againe and at Rome the Senate sitting in councell about the Prouinces decreed Numidia to Metellus At the same time C. Marius casually at Vtica sacrificing to the gods with slaine beasts the Diuiner told him that great and wonderfull things were portended wherefore trusting on the gods hee should execute his designes that hee should haue a frequent triall of fortune that all things would fall out prosperously But him formerly a mighty desire of getting the Coâ—sâ—lâ—hip had possessed for the procuring whereof setting aside the antiquity of his house all other helpes serued aboundantly as industry honesty much knowledge in Souldery a mind greedy of warre frugall at home victorious ouer lust and wealth onely couetous of glory But he being borne and fostred during his child-hood at Arpinum as soone as he was of military age he exercised himselfe in imployment for a Souldiers pay not in Grecian eloquence nor neatnesse of the Citty Thus amidst these good Artes his mind being vncorrupted grew to maturity in a short time Therefore when first he requested a Tribuneship of the people he being to most men vnknown by face otherwise well knowne was proclaimed throughout all the Tribes Then from that Magistracy he acquired others by degrees and alwayes in authority hee carried himselfe after that maÌ„ner that he shewed himselfe worthy of a more ample one then that which he exercised Yet hee being such a man in that eminency of place for afterwards he was precipitated by ambition durst not sue for the Consulship Euen then the Commonalty gaue other Magistracies the Nobility disposed the Consulship successiuely amongst themselues No new man was so
supported such great enterprises I knew that with small Forces they haue oftentimes incountred great Armies of their enemies I knew that with contemptible numbers they haue warred against mighty Kings besides they haue frequently suffred the violence of fortune The Greekes in eloquence the Gaules in military renowne excelled the Romanes Yet vnto me pondering many things it appeareth plainely that the remarkable vertue of a fewe Cittizens brought all these things to passe and so it befell that pouerty ouercame riches the few the multitude But after when the Citty was corrupted with Riot and sloth the Common-wealth againe through her proper greatnesse sustained the vices of her Generals and Magistrates as though she had lately brought forth all her Patriots there was not any man found at Rome for a long season of eminent vertue But in my memory there liued two men of much vertue yet of different conditions M. Cato and C. Caesar whom because the occasion presents it selfe I doe not resolue to passe ouer in silence but will deliuer their liues and manners as farre as my wit will inable me Therefore the parentage yeeres and eloquence of these men were almost equall their greatnesse of mind and glory were alike but other things they pursued otherwise Caesar for his benefits and munificence was reputed great Cato for the integrity of his life the one was renowned for his meekenesse and mercy to this man seuerity added dignity Caesar by giuing releeuing and pardoning Cato by parsimony got renowne The one of them was a Sanctuary to the oppressed the other the ruine of malefactours This mans facility that mans constancy was commended Last of all Caesar was resolued in mind to labour watch to be intentiue on his friends affaires with neglect of his owne to deny nothing that was worth the giuing he desired excessiuely a great command Army and new warres where his vertue might expresse it selfe But Catoes study was modesty seemelinesse and aboue all seuerity He did not striue with the rich man in riches nor with the factious man in faction but with the valiant in valour with the modest in modesty and with the innocent in abstinence He had rather be then seeme good so that by how much the lesse he pursued glory by so much the more he purchased it CHAP. 18. The Senate resoluing to follow Catoes counsell commandes execution to be done vpon the Traitours AFter the Senate as I haue said condescended to Catoes opinion the Consull thinking it the best expedient to anticipate the next night lest any thing might be innouated in the meane time hee commands the Triumuirs to prepare prouisions needfull for the execution he himselfe the Guardes being disposed conducts Lentulus vnto the prison the like is done to the rest by the Praetours There is a place in the prison called Tullianum as soone as you are ascended a little towards the left hand it stands about twelue foot deep in the ground the walls fortifie it round about and aboue a vault bound together with stone Arches but the aspect of it is filthy fearefull through darkenesse stench and neglect of cleansing Lentulus being brought thither the Executioners for capitall crimes to whom this was inioyned strangled him with a halter Thus this man being a Patrician of the most Noble Cornâ—lian Family hauing born Consular command in Rome found out a death worthy of his conditions and actions the like punishment was taken vpon Cethegus Statilius Gabinius and Ceparius CHAP. 19. Catiline ioyneth his Forces with Manlius He deuides his Army into two Legions Being pursued by Antonius he takes the Mountaines VVHilest these things passe at Rome Catiline out of all the Forces which himselfe brought and Manlius had ordaines two Legions hee makes his Cohorts compleat for the number of Souldiers and as any of the Voluntiers or of the Confederates came into the CaÌ„p he distributed them equally and in a short space had filled vp his Legions to the iust numbers whereas at the first hee had no more then two thousand But of all this multitude there was about a fourth part furnished with military armes the rest as chance armed each one carried Iauelines Lances or sharpe-pointed staues But after Antonius approached with his Army Catiline marched through the monntaines hee remoued his Tents sometimes towards the Citty sometimes towards Gaule hee presented no occasion of fighting to the enemies Hee did hope that forthwith he should haue great Forces if his associates at Rome could effect their designes In the meane time he cassiereth the slaues of whom at first great numbers repaired vnto him relying on the Aydes of the Confederacy Besides it seemed vnexpedient for his ends to communicate the cause of Cittizens with fugitiue slaues But when a Messenger came to the Campe with tidings that the Conspiracy was detected at Rome that vpon Lentulus Cethegus and the rest whom wee haue before remembred punishment was inflicted the most part of those whom hope of pillage or the desire of innouation had allured to the warre stole away secretly the residue Catiline leades through the rough mountaines with large marches into the Pistorian territory of purpose that by Deuious wayes he might vnperceiued flie into Gaule But Q. Metellus Celer commanded with three Legions in the Picenian tract who thought that Catiline through the difficulty of his affaires did meditate that meanes of escape which we haue formerly rehearsed Therefore as soone as he was informed of his iourney by the fugitiues he remoues his Camp in haste and sits downe vnder the very foot of the mountaines whereas the others descent was flying into Gaule Neither yet was Antonius farre off as following with a great Army through more euen wayes those that were wholly disposed for flight But Catiline after he saw himselfe inclosed with the mountaines and Forces of his enemies that in the Citty things were aduerse that there was neither hope of flight nor aide thinking it the best course in this case to hazzard the fortune of warre he resolues to fight with Antonius vpon the first occasion therefore an assembly being called he makes this Oration CHAP. 20. Catilines Oration to the Rebels A description of the battaile I Haue found by experience fellow Souldiers that words infuse not valour into men nor that an Army becomes strenuous from dastardly nor valiant from fearefull by the Oration of a Generall How much courage is seated in each mans soule either by nature or custome so much manifests it selfe in war whom neither glory nor danger excite him you may perswade in vaine the feare of the mind hinders attention But I haue called you together with intent to admonish some few things and withall that I might vnfold the reasons of my counsell You know full well my Souldiers what mischiefe the solution and cowardice of Lentulus brought to himselfe and vs and by what meanes whilst I expected Aydes from the Citty I was hindred from going into Gaule But now you perceiue all as well
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
Carthaginians last conquered by their Magistrates A great part of the Gerulians and the Numidians as farre as the riuer Mulucha were vnder Iugurths rule All the Moores King Bocchus commanded but by report being wholy ignorant of the Roman people and neuer before knowne to vs by any occasion of warre or peace Of Africk and her Inhabitants enough is spoken for the present vse After that the Kingdome being diuided the Delegates were departed from Africke and Iugurth contrary to his owne feare sawe that he had obtained the rewards of his villany besides deeming as he had heard from his friends at Numantia that all things at Rome were venall and withall being inflamed with their promises whom before he had loaded with gifts he bends his thoughts wholly vpon Adherbals Kingdome He himselfe was fierce and warlike but that other whom he inuaded was peaceable no Souldier of a soft disposition a fit subiect for wrong more fearing then to be feared Whereupon Iugurth on the suddaine doth inuade his Frountiers with a strong Army hee takes many men prisoners with Cattell and other booty he burnes houses in hostile manner surprizeth many places with his Cauallery Then he retires with all his Troupes into his owne Kingdome coniecturing that Adherbal prouoked with indignation would forcibly reuenge these wrongs and that would be a sufficient pretence for warre But he for that he esteemed himselfe no match for the other in Armes and because he relyed more on the friendship of the Romane people then on the Numidians he sends Ambassadours to Iugurth to complaine of these iniuries who although they returned a reproachfull answer yet first to suffer all things was he resolued then to vndertake the warre because being formerly tryed it had sorted to his losse Neither for that was Iugurths ambition any whit lessened as one who in his conceit had swallowed the others whole Kingdome wherefore not as before with a predatory Troupe but with a mighty Army leuied he began to make warre and openly claimed the whole Kingdom of Numidia Then whersoeuer he marched he wasted the Citties fields he driueth preyes in his owne men he amplifieth courage in his enemies terrour Adherbal when he perceiued his affaires brought to this issue that he must either relinquish his Kingdome or retaine it by Armes out of meere necessity he raiseth Forces and aduanceth to meet Iugurth vpon this not far from the sea neere to the towne of Cirtha both Armies incamped and because the day was then closing they did not begin the battell But as soone as more then midnight was past the light being then obsâ—nre the Iugurthâ—e Souldiers a signall being giuen assailed the enemies Camp some halfe sleeping others taking armes they chase and defeate Adherbal with some few Horsemen escapes to Cirtha and except great numbers of Cittizens had from the walls stayed the pursuing Numidians in one day the warre betweene these two Kings had beene begun and ended Thereupon Iugurth beleaguers the Towne with vine workes Towers and all other warlike engines hee indeuours to take it making all possible speed to anticipate the returne of the Ambassadours who before the battel fought he heard were sent to Rome by Adberbal But after the Senate was informed of this warre three young men are dispatched for Africke who should goe to both the Kings and deliuer this message by word of mouth That the Senate and people of Rome did will and require them to lay downe their Armes thus to doe was an act worthy of themselues and them their friends CHAP. 6. Three young men dispatched from Rome vnto the two Kings arriue in Africke Iugurths deepe dissimulation After their departure he reinuesteth Cirtha THe Ambassadours came with more speed into Africke because at Rome whilst they were preparing to goe they heard of the battel fought and the besieging of Cirtha But that rumour was fauourable Iugurth hauing vnderstood the tenour of their message answered That to himselfe not any thing was more esteemed nor dearer then the authority of the Senate that from his youth vpward he had so indeuoured himselfe that he might get the approbation of all good men that for his vertue not his ill deeds he was gracious to P. Scipio that man of men for the same respects he was adopted by Micipsa into the Kingdome not for any want of Issue Besides by how much the more he had done things well and brauely by so much the lesse could his spirit disgest wrongs That Adherbal had treacherously laid waite for his life which as soone as he discoueâ—ed he had but preuenâ—ed his villany that the people of Rome should not deale according to â—ustice nor honesty if â—hey should debarre him from the Law of Nations Finally that for the setâ—ing of all his affaires he would speedily send Ambassadours to Rome Thus both of them seuer themselues Licence of speaking with Adherbal was not graunted Iugurth as soone as he thought they were departed from Africke for that in regard of its naturall situation he could not force Cirtha by Armes hee enuirones the walls with a Ditch and Rampier he raised Towers and assured them with strong guards more ouer day and night heâ— makes triall of his fortune either by force or fraude he presents to those who defended the walls some times rewards some times terrour by incouraging his owne men he doth raise their valour he is wholly bent vpon all needfull preparations When Adherbal vnderstood that all his fortunes were reduced vnto a desperate extremity that the enemy was implacable that there was no hope of Aide that for want of necessary meanes the wars could not be prolonged of them which with him fled to Cirtha he selected two of a most actiue disposition them by large promises and commiseration of his estate he induceth that through the enemies workes they should make an escape to the neerest sea and from thence to Rome The Numidians in some few daies performe his commands The letters of Adherbal were recited in the Senate whose tenour was this Not through my owne default ye Fathers Conscript doe I send so often to petition you the violence of Iugurth doth inforce it whom so stronge a desire of murthering me hath possessed that he hath neither you nor the immortall gods in his mind he doth more thirst for my blood then for all things else Wherefore now this fifth moneth I being a Confederate and friend of the Romane people am besieged by force of Armes neither the benefits of my father Micipâ—a nor your Decrees are auailable whether with sword or famine he doth most presse me I am vncertaine To write more of this Iugurth my fortune doth disswade me I haue already tryed that small credit is giuen to miserable men But yet I doe sufficiently conceiue that he aymeth at some thing aboue that which I am neither doth he hope at once for your friendship and my Kingdome whether he proâ—ects any thing more hainous there is no man but knowes
For at first he murthered Hiempsal my brother then he droue me out of my fathers Kingdome What iniuries were solely ours did nothing pertaine to you But now hee vsurpeth my Kingdome by Armes me whom you haue appointed to rule ouer the Numidians he keepes shut vp and besieged How much he valued your Ambassadours speeches my dangers declare What remedy is left but your power by which he may be remoued for verily I could wish that those things which I now write and those of which I haue formerly complained in Senate were all false rather then my misery should giue credit to my words But because I was borne for this purpose that I should be the scoffe of Iugurths vilanies I doe not now deprecate death and miseries but only my enemies tyranny and bodily to ments For the Kingdome of Numidia which is yours prouide as you please deliuer me out of his impious hands by the Maiesty of your Empire by the faith of your friendship if any remembrance abides with you of my grand-father Massinissa CHAP. 7. Ambassadours of greater quality are commissioned to goe for Africke They are slacke in their charge Cirtha yeelds vpon composition Adherbal is slaine THese letters being read some were of opinion that an Army was to be sent into Africk and Adherbal was to be forthwith succoured that they should aduise themselues concerning Iugurth because he had disobeyed the Ambassadours But the very same fauourers of the King laboured with all their power that no such Decree should passe Thus the publicke good as it oftentimes falls out was ouercome by priuate fauour Yet were there sent into Afticke other Noble men elder then the first who had vndergone most honourable charges amongst whom was M. Scaurus of whom wee haue formerly spoken one who had beene Consull and was as then President of the Senate These because the foulenesse of the fact was subiect to much hatred and withall being importuned by the Numidians imbarked themselues the third day following then landing not long after at Vtica they dispatched letters to Iugurth importing that with all possible speed he should come to them into the Prouince He as soone as he vnderstood that men of honour whose authority he heard was powerfull at Rome came purposely to crosse his proceedings being at first much perplexed he was diuersly distracted with feare and desire He feared the displeasure of the Senate if he shewed himselfe disobedient to the Ambassadours againe his mind being blinded with ambition did violently transport him towards the intended treason yet euill counsell preuailed ouer his head-strong disposition Thereupon his Army hauing surrounded Cirtha he endeuours to force it to the vtmost of his power being very hopefull that the enemies Troupes being thus diuided he should by assault or stratagem find out some way of victory for himselfe which falling out otherwise and being vnable to effect what he intended about the surprizing of Adherbal before he visited the Ambassadours lest by further delayes he might offend Scaurus whoÌ„ he much feared with a few Horsemen hee comes into the Prouince And although to the orders of the Senate heauy comminations were added in case he should not desist from the siege yet after much talke in vaine they departed without any further effect After these things were related at Cirtha these Italians by whose valour the walls were defended being confident that vpon a surrender made they should in regard of the Maiesty of the Romane name be dismissed without any further hurt doe perswade Adherbal that he should yeeld himselfe and the towne to Iugurth onely he should condition with him for his life that as for the rest the Senate would be carefull But he although he deemed all things safer then Iugurths faith yet because they had power in themselues to force him if he should be refractory he makes a surrender Thereupon Iugurth hauing first tortur'd Adherbal puts him to death then hee murthers all the Numidian youth and marchants promiscuously as any man incountred his armed Souldiers After which massacre was published at Rome and the matter began to be debated in Senate the very same ministers of the King by interposing themselues and protracting time now by fauour then againe by their cauils did mitigate the foulenes of the fact so that except C. Memius Tribune of the people elect being a man of courage and much offended with the power of the Nobility had fully informed the people of Rome that a plot was layd for procuring Iugurths pardon by some few of his faction without question all the hatred of this his offence had vanished into nothing through their dilatory consultations So powerfully wrought the Kings fauour and money But as soone as the Senate through the conscience of their owne errour grew fearefull of the people by the Sempronian Law Numidia and Italy were decreed for Prouinces to the future Cousuls P. Scipio Nasica L. Bestia Calpurnius were declared Consuls to Calpurnius Numidia to Scipio Italy fell by lot forthwith an Army is inrolled to be transported into Africke paye and all other prouisions requisite for the warre are appointed But Iugurth contrary to his expectation being informed of this by a messenger for because he was fully perswaded that all things were venall at Rome he sends his sonne and with him two of his familiar friends Ambassadours to the Senate and giues them in charge as he had done to those whom he had sent after Hiempsal was slaine that they should corrupt whomsoeuer they could with money who when they were come to Rome the Senates aduice was demaÌ„ded of Bestia whether it were their pleasures that Iugurths Ambassadours should be receiued into the Citty and then the Lords decreed that except they came to surrender the Kingdome and Iugurth himselfe they should depart out of Italy within tenne dayes next following The Consull out of the Decree of the Senate commands this to be reported to the Numidians Thus they returne home without any successe in their suite CHAP. 8. Calpurnius is sent with an Army into Affricke He is corrupted by Iugurth IN the meane time Calpurnius an Army being leuyed substitutes vnder himselfe some Noble men giuen to faction by whose authority he hopes to fortifie his owne faultes amongst whom was Scaurus of whose nature and condition wee haue formerly spoken For in this our Consull there were many good indowmeÌ„ts of body and mind all which Auarice choaked He was patient of labour of a sharpe wit prouident enough no ill Souldier most firme against dangers and deceits But the Legions passing throâ—gh Italy to Rhegium and from thence into Sicily were finally transported from Sicily into Africke Thereupon Calpurnius hauing first made prouision of victuals inuaded Numidia fiercely many men and some Cities hee tooke there by plaine force But as soone as Iugurth by his Ambassadours began to tempt him with bribes and to remonstrate the difficulty of the warre which he now waged his weake mind was soone corrupted through Auarice Besides
prouisions being made and setled according to his desire he goes into Numidia with much hope conceiued of him by the Roman Cittizens as well for his owne braue abilities as also for that hee carried a minde inuincible against riches and through the auarice of Magistrates our Forces had been formerly defeated in Numidia and those of the enemies had beene augmented But as soone as he came into Africk the Army was deliuer'd ouer vnto him by S. Albinus the Procōsull being slothfull vnwarlick impatient of danger and labour more ready of tongue then hand driuing preyes from their Alyes and it selfe being the enemies prey wanting discipline and modest behauiour Thus to this new Generall more trouble did arise from their euill cōditions then ayde or comfort from such a number of Souldiers For all this Metellus resolued although the prorogation of the Comitiall meetings had wasted the Summer season and that hee coniectured the Cittizens minds to be wholly bent vpon the expectation of the euent not first to make an assay of warre before he had inforced according to the ancient discipline his men of warre to exercise themselues For Albinus being terrified with the defeat of his brother Aulus and the Army after he had taken a resolution not to goe forth of the Prouince for so much of the Summer as belonged to his command he quartered his Souldiers for the most part in standing Camps except when nastinesse or want of forrage compelled him to change places But watches were not set according to the military custome euery man as listed absented himselfe from his Colours the drudges of the Army intermingled with the Souldiers daily nightly made excursions and wandring disorderly wasted the fields forced the villages and contending one with another made boote of slaues and Cattell which they bartered with the marchants for wine by them brought and other such like commodities besides they sold their ammunition corne and bought bread daily finally whatsoeuer blemishes proceeding frō sloth and luxury can be spoken of or imagined were all in that Army and more besides then these But in this difficulty I find Metellus to haue shewed himselfe an able wise man no lesse then he did in actions of hostility with such temperance he carried himselfe betwixt ambition and cruelty For by his first Edict he banished all the helpes of sloth so that no man was to sell in the Camp bread or any other meate ready dressed the drudges were not to followe the Army the common Souldier being incamped or marching was to haue no slaue nor beast of carriage to other abuses by Arte he prescribed a remedie Besides with crosse marches he remoued his Cāp euery day no other-wise then if the enemies had beene present he fortified it with Ditch and Rampier he disposed the watches often and he himselfe rounded them with the Lieutenants Moreouer vpon a march hee was sometimes in person present with the Vanguard sometimes with them of the Reare and often with those of the middle ward of purpose that no Souldier should stirre out of his Order but that they should aduance in one body together with their ensignes and carry their owne victuals and Armes Thus more by taking away the liberty of offending then by punishing offences he in a short space confirmed the Army In the meane time Iugurth as soone as he vnderstood by his Intelligencers of Metellus proceedings and withall being certified from Rome of his integrity grew distrustfull of his owne estate and then at length laboured to make a reall surrender Thereupon he sends Ambassadours to the Consull by way of petition who should request onely life for himselfe and his children all other things they should submit vp to the Romane people But by former experiments it was well known to Metellus that the Numidian Nation was faithlesse inconstant and desirous of innouation Therefore he visiteth the Ambassadours seuerally one by one and sounding them by degrees after he knew they were fit for his turne hee perswadeth them by many promises to deliuer aboue all things Iugurth aliue or at leastwise slaine into his hands but in publicke those things which he thought fitting hee commandeth them to report to the King CHAP. 14. Metellus marcheth into Numidia He surpriseth Vacca Hee sendeth Ambassadours to treate of peace VPon this he himselfe within some few dayes after marched into Numidia with a well appointed and spleenefull Army where contrary to the apparance of warre the Cottages were full of Inhabitants Cattell and Husband-men were frequent in the fields out of the townes and Country houses the Kings Officers came forth to meet him being ready to puruey Corne to bring victuals and finally to doe whatsoeuer they were commanded Neuerthelesse Metellus no otherwise then if the enemy had bin present aduanceth with his Army strongly guarded he discouereth all places farre and nigh he beleeueth those shewes of surrender to be ostentatiue and deuised to betray him Therefore he himselfe with the light-armed Cohorts and a selected company of Slingers and Archers marched in the head of the Vanguard in the Reare C. Martus his Lieutenāt had the charge with the Cauallery vpon both flankes he distributed the auxiliary Horse-men to the Tribunes of Legions and the Captaines of Cohorts purposely that the skirmishers being mixt with these wheresoeuer they aduanced they might repulse the Enemies Horsemen for in Iugurth there was so much cunning and such exact knowledge of places and souldiery that whether he were more dangerous absent or present whether mannaging war or peace it was held a thing doubtfull Seated there was not far from the way where Metellus iourneyed a town of the Numidians named Vacca the most famous Marte of all the Kingdome for commodities which were to bee sold whereas many of the Italian Nation were wont both to inhabite trade Here the Consull as well for tryals sake as also for that the accommodations of the place would well beare it imposed a Garrison besides he gaue orders for the importing of graine and other prouisions vsefull in warre supposing that which the occasiō did premonish that the confluence of marchants and victuals would be a meanes to releeue his Army and that now being prouided of things necessary it would serue for a place of defence During these occurrences Iugurth in a more serious manner sendeth his suppliant Ambassadours to intreate for peace besides his owne and his childrens life he submitteth all things else to Metellus whom tempted alike as the former to disloyalty the Consull dismissed the peace which the King requested hee neither denyed nor granted and betweene these delayes hee expected the issue of the Ambassadours promises Iugurth as soone as hee ballanced Metellus words and deedes together and saw himselfe assayled with his owne sleights as vnto whom a peace was verball and promised but indeed a most cruell warre was meant a great Citty being alienated the Country discouered by the enemies and the affections of his Confederates sounded hee resolued
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
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
foorth expeditely with the setting of the Sun the Legion with which he wintred as many Numidian Horse-men as he could the next day about the third houre he arriueth at a eertaine plaine inuironed with grouÌ„ds something higher There he informeth his Souldiers harâ—â—ged with the tediousnesse of the iourney and now refusing al coÌ„mands that the Town of Vacca was not distant aboue one thousand paces thence that it behoued them to indure with patience the remaining labour vntill they tooke reuenge for their fellow Citizens men valiant though most vnfortunate Moreouer he giueth free leaue of pillage Thus their minds being incouraged he commaÌ„deth the Horse-men to march on the right flancke the Foot-men in their closest order and withall to conceale their ensignes As soone as the Vaccensians obserued that an Army marched towards them at first as it was indeed they coniecturing that it was Metellus did shut their gates then when they saw that the fields were not wasted that those who had the point of the Van-guarde were Numidian Horse-men they thinking againe that it was Iuurth with great ioy issued forth to meet him The Horse and Foote hauing a signall suddenly giuen some of them kill the people dispersed through the Towne some hasten to the gates others surprize the Towres anger and the hope of spoile preuailed ouer wearinesse Thus the Vaccensians reioyced onely two dayes in their perfidiousnesse all that great and opulent City became the subiect of pillage or reuenge Turpilius the Gouernour of the Town whom we haue formerly said to haue beene the onely man amongst all that escaped in safety being commanded by Metellus to speake for himselfe after he had made a weake purgation is condemned and being scourged suffred capitall punishment for he was a Cittizen out of Latium CHAP. 19. Bomilcar seeketh to betray Iugurth He dealeth for this purpose with Nabdalsa He is discouered and put to death AT that time Bomilcar through whose perswasion Iugurth made the surrender which for feare he forsooke being suspected of the King and suspecting him desireth innouation he laboureth to ruine him by treachery day and night he vexeth himselfe finally hauing tryed all courses hee adioyneth vnto himselfe Nabdalsa for an associate a Nobleman famous for his great wealth and much beloud of his vassals Who for the most part commanded an Army apart from the King and was wont to execute all affaires which were left vndone by Iugurth being tired out or imployed in greater By which meanes he purchased renowne and riches Thereupon by both their aduices a day is appointed for it other preparations as the occasion required were made by them in the meane time Nabdalsa goeth vnto the Army which he had quartered vpon command amongst the wintring Garrisons of the Romans thaâ— the CouÌ„try by that meanes might be secured from the enemies excursions He being distracted with the greatnesse of the attempt when as hee came not at the time appointed and that feare hindred him from progression Bomilcar pensiue through the desire of executing his designe and withall because his Confederate was fearefull lest the first resolution being neglected he should entertaine another he sendeth letters vnto him by trusty messengers in which hee blameth the softnesse and cowardice of the man he calleth the Gods to witnesse by whom hee had sworne he admonisheth that he would not conuert Metellus rewards into his destruction that Iugurths ruine was at hand but whether he should perish by his or Metellus vertue that was now to be discussed therefore he should weigh with himselfe whether hee had rather accept of reward or punishment But when these letters were deliuered Nabdalsa by chance wearied with the exercising of his body reposed himselfe on his bed When hee had conceiued Bomilcars speeches first care then as it is vsuall with a troubled mind sleepe attached him there did belonâ— to him a certaine Numidian a faithfull Agent of his affaires and much esteemed of him who was partaker of all his counsels except of this last who when he heard that letters were brought thinking that according to custome there might bee some need of his aduice or industry he entreth into the Pauilion the other being asleep he taketh vp the Epistle being layd vnaduisedly on his pillow and readeth the contents of it then the treason being discouered he poasteth forthwith to the King Nabdalsa awaking not long after when as hee missed the Epistle and vnderstood by some fugitiues all the circumstance of the matter at first he indeuoureth to apprehend his accuser but that being lost labour he goeth to Iugurth to mediate his reconcilement telling him that that which he resolued was preuented by the treachery of his seruant weeping he doth coniure him by his friendship by his former faithfull seruices that he would not hold him suspected of so hainous a crime to this the King otherwise then he thought made this gracious answere that Bomilcar and sundry others whom hee knew to be complices of the conspiracy being slaine he had oppressed his anger lest otherwise some seditiou might grow from that occasion Neither after this had Iugurth any rest day or night he was confident of no place time nor person he feared alike his subiects and enemies hee was circumspect of all dangers and affrighted with euery noise nightly he tooke vp seuerall lodgings vnfit many times for his dignity Royall now and then awaking out of sleep he caused tumult by betaking himselfe to his armes thus with feare as with a frensie hee was still vexed CHAP. 20. Metellus maketh new preparations for the warre He dismisseth Marius Hee fighteth with Iugurth and defeateth his Army He taketh Thala THereupon Metellus as soone as hee was aduertised by fugitiues of Bomilcars misfortune and the detecting of the conspiracy againe as if it had beene for an intire warre he maketh and forwardeth all needfull preparations Marius solliciting for his departure withall being grown hatefull and offensiue vnto him he dismisseth home thinking him to be vnfit for his imployment And at Rome the Commons the letters being made knowne which were sent concerning Metellus and Marius heard what they desired of both To the Generall his Nobility which before was an ornament became the occasion of enuy to the other the lownesse of his descent added fauour but in both these the bending of the factions carried more sway then their owne vertues or vices Besides the seditious Magistrates stirred the Common people in all the assemblies they accuse Metellus of treason They commend Marius beyond descent Finally the Plebeians were so farre moued that all the Artificers and Country Peazants whose fortunes and credit lay in their hands leauing their labour resorted to Marius and esteemed their owne necessary trades lesse then his honour Thus the Nobility being ouerthrowne after the reuolution of much time the Consulship was giuen to a new man and afterwards the people being demanded by Manlius Mantinus one of their Tribunes whom they would haue
are for the most part Sidonian which they retained with the more facility because they liued farre from the Kings Dominion For betweene them and the populous places of Numidia there lay vncultiued and waste grounds But because wee are arriued in these Regions by meane of the Leptitan affaires i◠seemeth worth the relation to remember the braue and memorable exploite of two Carthaginians The place intimated this vnto vs. At what time the Carthaginians ruled ouer most of Africke the Cyrenians also were rich and powerfull the Frontier betwixt them was sandy and vniforme there was neither mountaine nor riuer to distinguish their borders which cause kept them in a great and vndiscontinued warre After their Armies and Fleetes had beene often beaten and chased on both sides and that they had much impaired one anothers strength they fearing that a third party would inuade both the Conquerers conquered taking truce they make an agreemēt that vpon a day appointed their Ambassadors should depart from their seuerall homes at what place they met one another that should be the common border of both Nations Vpon this two brethren being sent from Carthage whose names were the Phileni made hast in their iourney the Cyrenians went more slowly Whether this happened by negligence or casualty I know nothing at all Besides in those places a tempest no otherwise then in the sea restraineth passage For when as the wind arising on plaine grounds and bare of trees hath raised vp the sand from the earth that being carried with great violence filleth both the mouth and eyes thus prospect being hindred the iourney is staid After the Cyrenians saw that they were somewhat the hindermost and because of their neglect feared punishment at home they taxed the Carthaginians that departing before their time from their place of habitation they had disturbed the Treaty finally they would rather doe any thing then depart vanquished But when the Carthaginians required any other condition so it were equall the Grecians put the Carthaginians to their choice that either they should bee buried there quicke whereas they desired borders for their people or that themselues vpon the same conditions might proceed whither they would The Philenians allowing the condition gaue vp themselues and their liues to the Common-wealth thus were they interred aliue In that place the Carthaginians consecrated Altars to the Philenian brethren and other honours were instituted for them in their Country Now I returne to my purpose CHAP. 22. Iugurth draweth the Getulians to his party He solliciteth King Bocchus He is aduertised of Marius comming IVgurth when after Thala lost he thought nothing strong enough to resist Metellus trauailing with some few through vast desarts he commeth to the Getulians a fierce and sauage kind of people and as then ignorant of the Romane name hee raiseth a multitude of them into one body and by degrees doth accustome them to keepe their rankes to followe their Ensignes to obey command and to performe other military duties Besides hee allureth those who were neerest vnto King Bocchus by great gifts and greater promises to fauour his cause with which Assistants going to the King hee doth perswade him that he should vndertake warre against the Romanes This by that aduantage became more facill and feasable for that Bocchus in the beginning of this warre had sent Ambassadours to Rome to desire a League and friendship which thing being most opportune for the enterprize of the warre some few hindred blinded with couetousnesse by whom all suites whether honest or dishonest were vsually set to sale Besides the daughter of Bocchus was formerly married to Iugurth but that bond is meanely regarded by the Moores and Numidians because that each of them according to their wealth haue euery man sundry wiues some 10. others more but Kings more then so Thus the mind is distracted with the multitude none of them is ranked in the place of an equall they are altogether held despicable Thereupon in a place chosen by both parties the Army meets then faith being giuen and receiued interchangeably Iugurth inflameth Bocchus with this speech That the Romanes were vniust of vnsatiable auarice the common enemies of all mankind that they had the same cause of warre with Bocchus as with himselfe and all other Nations euen the desire of rule vnto whom all Kings were opposites then he himselfe a little before the Carthaginians with King Perses after as euery man seemed most powerfull so he became enemy to the Romanes These and such like speeches passing they direct their iourney to the towne of Cirtha for that Q. Metellus had lodged there the prey prisoners and baggage Thus Iugurth thought that either the City being taken it would be a worke worth his labour or if the Roman Generall came to their succours they should come to the tryall of a maine battell for in cunming he made haste onely to disinable Iugurths peace lest by exercising delayes hee should desire some other course rather then warre The General when he had heard of the Confederacy of the Kings he doth not rashly neither as he was often accustomed to doe Iugurth being vanquished present in all places free meanes to fight but not farre from Cirtha his Camp being fortified he expecteth the Kings thinking it best after he had made some triall of the Moores because they came as fresh enemies to fight at his best aduantage In the meane time he is certified from Rome by letters that the Prouince of Numidia was giuen to Marius for he had heard before that he was made Consull with which tidings being troubled beyond al decency he neither could refraine teares nor moderate his tongue the man otherwise being of a most excellent temper too tenderly tooke this grieuance which some construed to bee pride in him others a good disposition prouoked with disgrace many men thought it was because the victory already gotten was wrested out of his hands to vs it is well enough knowne that hee was more vexed with Marius honour then with his proper iniury neither would he haue suffred it with so much anxiety if the Prouince taken away had beene assigned to any but Marius Therefore being diuerted with this griefe and because it seemed a foolish part to take care of anothers charge with his owne danger hee sends Ambassadours to King Bocchus to require him that without cause hee would not become an enemy to the people of Rome that he had a faire opportunity of contracting a League and friendship which would be better then warre Although he was confident in his owne strength yet hee ought not to change vncertainties for certainties al warre was vndertaken with ease but concluded with difficulty not in the same mans power lay the beginning ending of it it was lawfull for euery man yea for a coward to begin it was to be laid aside whē the Conquerours would therefore hee should prouide for himselfe and his Kingdome neither should he cōmixe his flourishing and
of the gates The Moores and Getulians being suddenly awaked with the strange and hideous noise could neither flye nor take armes nor make nor prouide any meanes of resistance Thus all of them with the clashing and clamour no man comming to their succours our men falling on with tumult terrour and feare were like mee suprized with an astonishment Finally all of them were rowted and chased most of their armes and military Ensignes were taken and more slaine in that battell then in all the former for by sleepe and the vncouth terrour flight was hindred Thereupon Marius as he began marcheth towards his Winter Garrisons which because of victuals he resolued to haue in the maritime Townes Neither yet was hee growne slouthfull or insolent with his victory but euen as if hee had beene in the eye of his enemies he aduanceth with his Army marching in square battalions Sylla on the right side tooke charge with the Horse-men on the left A. Manlius with the darâ—â—â—s and slingers besides the Ligurian Cohorts for Frontiers and bringers vp he placed the Tribunes with the light-armed Maniples The fugitiues who knew the Country best discouered the enemies iourney withall the Consull as if no man had beene imposed was prouident for all things hee was present with all heâ—praysed he rebuked those that deserued he himselfe being armed and intentiue besides inforced the Souldiers to their duties nor otherwise then if he had beene in the sight of the enemy doth he dispose his marches doth he fortifie the Camp doth he send the Legionary Cohorts to watch at the Gate the auxiliary Horse-men before the Camp moreouer he placeth others on the Rampier of the workes he himselfe rouneth the watches not so much from the distrust of the performance of 〈◊〉 which he commanded as for that the Generals labour being made equall with the Souldiers they might become the more willing And verily Marius in that and other times of the Iugurthine warre inforced the Army more with shame then punishment which many reported to be done out of ambition because from his childhood he had accounted a customary hardnesse and other things which other men call miseries exercises of pleasure But yet the Common-wealth as well as vnder the seuerest command was well and orderly gouerned Moreouer on the fourth day following not farre from the Towne of Cirtha the skoutes hastily shew themselues by which signe the enemy is knowne to be neere But because they retaining diuersly seuerall men from seuerall parts all of them signified the same the Consull doubtfull how to marshall his Army the order of it being nothing altered hee makes a stand in the same place being prouided against all euents By this meanes Iugurths hope was frustrated who had distributed his Army into foure diuisions thinking that some amongst them all would equally fall on the enemies backs In the meane time Sylla whom the enemies first attached incouraging his Souldiers in Troupe and with their horses in the closest order both he and others inuade the Moores The rest keeping their ground defend their bodies from the dartes that were cast against them from the hand and if any fell in their power they killed them Whilst the Horse-men fight after this manner Bocchus with the Footmen which his sonne Volux brought and were not in the former fight because they staid in their iourney sets vpon the Rereward of the Romanes Then Marius was amongst the frontiers because Iugurth was there with his greatest Forces Then the Numidian Bocchus his comming being knowne secretly with some few wheeleth about to the Footmen there in Latine for hee had learned to speake it at Numantia he crieth our aloud that ouâ— men fought in vaine that Marius not long before was slaine by his owne hand shewing therewith all his sword imbrued with blood which in the fight he had bloodied in killing a footman of ourâ— with great dexterity Which report as soone as the Souldiers heard they were more terrified with the foulenesse of the fact then with the credit of the messengers tidings therewithall the Barbarians raised their spirits and fell on more fiercely vpon the amazed Romanes And now they were vpon the point of flying when as Sylla hauing discomfited those against whom he went returning by the flanck charged the Moores Bocchus is forthwith put to flight But Iugurth whilst he endeauours to releeue his owne men and to retaine the victory which was almost gotten being circumuented by the Horsemen on euery side all the rest of his retinue being slaine he alone escapeth by flight amongst his enemies weapons And Marius in the interspace hauing followed the chase of the Horsemen comes to the succour of his Souldiers whom he had heard to haue beene already put to the worst Finally the enemies were now rowted in euery place Then a horrible spectacle was seene in the open fields they follow they flie they are slaine they are taken men and horses are ouerthrowne together many hauing receiued wounds could neither fly nor take rest sometimes they stroue to rise and forhwith fell downe last of all as farre as the eye could discerne all places were couered with weapons armes and carkeises and amongst them the earth was polluted with blood CHAP. 26. Marius commeth to Cirtha Bocchus mediates for a Treatie of Peace L. Sylla and A. Manlius are sent Ambassadours vnto him FRom that place the Consull being victorious without all peraduenture came to the Towne of Cirtha whither at first hee intended his iourney Thither after the fifth day on which the Barbarians had fought the second time with ill â—uccesse Ambassadours from Bocchus arriued who requested of Marius in the words of the King that he would send two of his faithfullest friends vnto him that hee would treat with them about things commodious for himselfe and the people of Rome He forthwith commands L. Sylla A. Manlius to go who although they went as men sent for yet it was their pleasure to deliuer some words to the King that so they might either alter his aduerse disposition or being desirous of peace they might inflame him more vehemently Sylla to whose eloquence not age Manlius gaue place expressed himselfe in few words after this manner King Bocchus we must reioyce since the gods admonished thee being so great a person that at length thou shouldest desire peace rather then warre nor shouldest dishonour thy selfe being a most excellent man by confederating with Iugurth the worst of all men withall that thou shouldest take from vs a seuere necessity of persecuting they errours and his wickednesse Besides it seemed good to the Romane people being poore euen from the very beginning to procure friends rather then seruants they thought it safer to command ouer those who were willing then those who were inforced But for thee no friendship is more vsefull then ours first because we are farre remoued in which there is least cause of offence and as equall correspondency as if we were neighbours then
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
liued in your eye both a priuate person Magistrate those that would vsed my tongue counsell and money neither did I exercise my eloquence craftily nor my wit mischieuously being most couetous of priuate fauour I vndertooke great quarrells for the Commonwealth who being vanquished together with her when destitute of other helpe I expected farther miseries you O ye Romanes restored againe to me my Country and houshold gods with an exceeding great dignity For which benefits I should not seeme sufficiently thankfull if for them seuerally which I cannot doe I should expend my very soule For life and death are the rights of nature that thou mayest liue without disgrace with thy fellow Citizens thy fame and fortunes being intire that is neither giuen nor taken as a donatiue You haue made vs Consuls O ye Romanes the Common-wealth being much intangled both at home and abroade for the Generalls of Spaine require pay Souldiers Armes and corne and the occasion inforceth it for after the reuolt of our Confederates and the flight of Sertorius ouer the mountaines they can neither come to fight nor prouide necessaries Our Armies in regard of Mithridates great forces are maintained in Asia and Cilicia full of enemies is Macedonia no lesse the maritime regions of Italy and the Prouinces when in the meane time our tributes being small and vncertainely ballanced for the warres scarce sustaine a part of the charges thus we saile with a lesse Fleet then formerly we did for the Conuoy of victuals If these things are contracted by our negligence and fraudulent dealing proceed and take punishment as you will but if the common fortune be in fault wherefore doe you vndertake things vnworthy of your selues of vs and the Commonwealth And I ouer whose age death is impendent doe pray for it if by that you can quit any inconuenience neither can any thing more honest this ingenious body then if it cease to liue for your safety Behold I C. Cotta the Consull am here I doe that which our ancestours haue often done in dangerous warres I vow and abandon my selfe for the Common-wealth the which to whom you may commit bee circumspectiue from hence forwards for no good man will desire that honour when as of the fortune of peace and warre transacted an account is to be giuen or an ignominious death to be suffred Onely reserue this in your mindes that I was not slain for lewdnesse or auarice but for the requitall of your greatest benefits I gaue vp my soule as a free-wil offring Coniured therefore by your selues and the glory of your ancestours O ye Romanes be patient in aduersities and prouide for the Common-wealth much care attends the châ—efest command and many vast labours which you refuse in vaine and seeke the plenty of peace when all Prouinces Kingdomes Seas and Lands are indangered and harraged with the warres SALVSTS ORATIONS The first Oration of the institution of a Common-wealth directed to C. Caesar THe Romane people got formerly Kingdomes and Empires it gaue fortune for a donatiue and other things which are greedily desired by mortals because as if it had beene out of meere lust they were often conferred vpon vnworthy persons neither remained they vncorrupted with any But experience hath taught that to be true which Appius in his verses saith That euery man is a forger of his owne fortune and this is verified especially in thee who hast so farre outgone others that men are first wearied with praising thy deeds then thou art of doing things praise-worthy But vertuous acquisitions like edifices ought to be preserued with very much industry lest they be deformed with negligence or ruined through weakenesse For no man willingly resignes rule to another and although hee bee good and milde who can doe most yet because it is lawfull for him to bee wicked he is feared This happeneth for that many men who are powerfull in authority counsell peruersly and thinke themselues by so much the more fortified by how much those ouer whom they command haue beene the more wicked But this ought to be indeuoured against that thou being vertuous and valiant mayst command ouer the best For euery man that is most lewde with most difficulty suffreth a gouernour But this is more laborious for thee then for all men before thee to settle an estate gotten by Armes Thou hast managed a warre more gentle then the peace of others besides the conquered are Cittizens Amongst these difficulties thou must make an euasion and for euer hereafter the Commonwealth is to be confirmed not by armes onely nor against enemies but which is greater and harder by farre with the profitable Arts of peace Therefore the occasion summons hither all who are much and meanely wise that euery man should aduise the best he can And this seemes so to me that in that manner as thou shalt settle the victory all things will succeed But now that thou mayest dispose this more readily and easily receiue in few words what my minde tells me Thou hast had a warre O Emperour with a famous man of great wealth greedy of rule of greater fortune then wisedome whom some few haue followed being made thy enemies by their owne iniury withall whom affinity or any other aliance hath incited For neither was any man partaker of his domination nor if he could haue suffred it had the whole world beene shaken with warre The rest of the multitude rather out of the vulgar custome then Iudgement followed him one after another as if he had beene the prudenter person About that time some men being possessed with hope by the suggestions of the wicked of vsurping vpon the Common-wealth made thy Campe their place of Concourse hauing first polluted all things with lewdnesse and luxury and openly menaced vnto the peaceable death rapines and finally all outrages which their depraued nature vrged A great part of whom after they saw neither debt to be remitted nor thy selfe to vse Cittizens as thou wouldst enemies shrunke away from thee a few stayd who were likely to haue more security in the Campe then at Rome So egerly did the Creditours pursue them But for the same causes it is incredible to be spoken what great persons and how many departed afterwards vnto Pompey and vsed him all the time of the warre as a sacred and vnuiolated Sanctuary Therefore because peace and warre must be agitated by thee the Conquerour this that thou mayst leaue it ciuilly that that it may be most iust and diâ—â—urnall first of all thinke with thy selfe because thou art to compose them what is best to bee done Verily my opinion is that all tyrannicall gouernments are more grieuous then lasting neither can any man be feared by many but feare from many must reflect on him that kinde of life wageth a continuall and doubtfull warre because thou canst neither be assured from before behind or either side thou must liue alwaies in danger and feare Contrariwise they who with bounty and clemencie haue