emissaries at Rome, and having excited a spirit of discontent against him, he had leave granted him to go there to stand for the consulship, which he obtained, contrary to the expectation and interest of the nobles. 17. Ma'rius, being thus invested with the supreme power of managing the war, showed himself every way fit for the commission. His vigilance was equal to his valour, and he quickly made himself master of the cities which Jugur'tha had yet remaining in Numidia 1. 18. This unfortunate prince, finding himself unable to make opposition singly, was obliged to have recourse for assistance to Bocchus, king of Mauritania, to whose daughter he was married. A battle soon after ensued, in which the Numid'ians surprised the Roman camp by night, and gained a temporary advantage. However, it was but of short continuance, for Ma'rius soon after overthrew them in two signal engagements, in one of which, not less than ninety thousand of the African army were slain. 19. Bocchus now finding the Romans too powerful to be resisted, did not think it expedient to hazard his own crown, to protect that of his aily; he therefore determined to make peace, upon whatever conditions he might obtain it; and accordingly sent to Rome, imploring protection. 20. The senate received the ambassadors with their usual haughtiness, and without complying with their request, granted the suppliant, not their friendship, but their pardon. Notwithstanding, after some time, he was given to understand, that the delivering 1 It has been said with great truth, that "the wicked have no friends." Jugur'tha experienced this: Bomil'car, who professed the warmest attachment to Jugur'tha, was gained over by the pro-consul Metellus to persuade his master, that submission to the Romans was absolutely necessary. Jugur'tha accordingly sent an embassy to the pro-consul, professing his readiness to submit to any terms, Upon this he was required to send to the Romans 200,000 pounds weight of silver, all his elephants, a certain number of horses and arms, and all deserters. The king complied exactly with these hard conditions; but after thus weakening his resources, he found himself still obliged to continue the war, or submit to such farther impositions as would have endangered, not only his crown, but his life. 21. up of Jugurtha to the Romans would, in some measure, conciliate their favour, and soften their resentment. At first the pride of Bocchus struggled against such a proposal; but a few interviews with Sylla reconciled him to this treacherous measure, and Jugurtha was given up, being drawn into ambuscade by the specious pretences of his ally, who deluded him by desiring a conference. Being made a prisoner, the Numidian monarch was loaded with chains, and carried by Ma'rius to Rome, a deplorable instance of blighted ambition. 22. He did not long survive his overthrow, being condemned by the senate to be starved to death in prison, a short time after he had been made to adorn the triumph of the conqueror. 23. Ma'rius, by this and two succeeding victories over the Cim'bri and Teut'ones, who had ravaged Gaul and threatened northern Italy, having become very formidable to distant nations in war, became soon after much more dangerous to his fellow-citizens in peace. 24. The strength which he had given to the popular party every day grew more conspicuous, and the Italians, being frustrated by the intrigues of the senate, in their aims of gaining the freedom of Rome, resolved upon obtaining by force, what was refused them as a favour. This gave rise to the Social War, in which most of the states of Italy entered into a confederacy against Rome, in order to obtain a redress of their griev ances. 25. After a lapse of two years, this war having continued to rage with doubtful success, the senate began to reflect that, whether conquered or conquerors, the power of the Romans was in danger of being destroyed. 26. To soften, therefore, their compliance by degrees, they began by giving the freedom of the city to such of the Italian states as had not revolted. They then offered it to such as would lay down their arms. 27. This unexpected bounty had its effect; the allies, with mutual distrust, offered each a separate treaty; the senate took them one by one into favour; but gave the freedom of the city in such a manner, that, not being empowered to vote until all the other tribes had given their suffrages, they had very little weight in the constitution. 28. This destructive war being concluded, the senate began to think of turning their arms against Mithrida'tes, the most powerful and warlike monarch of the east1. 29. For this expedition Ma'rius had long been preparing, but Sylla had interest enough to get himself appointed to the expedition. Ma'rius, however, tried all his arts with the people to get his appointment reversed; and the command of the army, intended to oppose Mithrida'tes, was ordered to be transferred from Sylla to Ma'rius. 30. In consequence of this, Ma'rius immediately sent officers from Rome to take the command in his name. But instead of being obeyed, the officers were slain, and Sylla was entreated by his army to lead them directly to take signal vengeance upon all his enemies at Rome. 31. Accordingly, his soldiers entered the city sword in hand, as a place taken by storm. Ma'rius and Sulpicius, at the head of a tumultuary body of their partisans, attempted to oppose their entrance; and the citizens themselves, who feared the sackage of the place, threw down stones and tiles from the houses upon the intruders. So unequal a conflict lasted longer than could have been expected; at length Ma'rius and his party were obliged to seek safety by flight, after having vainly offered liberty to the slaves who would assist them. Questions for Examination. 32. 1. Was this internal degeneracy of the Roman people accompanied by ill success abroad? 2. What signal victory did they obtain, and who was Jugurtha? 1 This king incurred the resentment of the Romans by making war on some of their allies, and by putting Op'pius and Aquil'us to death. Upbraiding the Romans with their avarice and corruption, he caused melted gold to be poured down the throat of the latter. 3. By what means did he obtain the crown? 4. How did he propitiate the Romans? 5. How did these commissioners discharge their trust? 6. Was Jugurtha satisfied with this allotment? 7. Did this answer his purpose? 8. Did the Romans suffer this treachery to pass unpunished? 9. Did Jugurtha obey this summons? 10. Were hostilities commenced against him, and what was the result? 11. What was the condition of the army when Metellus assumed the command? 12. Did this deplorable state continue? 13. Did Metellus enjoy the fruits of his victories? 14. Who was Caius Marius ? 15. What resolution did he adopt? 16. By what artifices did he succeed in his design? 17. What was the conduct of Marius in his new command? 18. To whom did Jugurtha have recourse in his extremity? 19. Did Bocchus continue to befriend Jugurtha? 20. Was his request complied with? 21. Did Bocchus submit to this condition? 22. What became of Jugurtha after this? 23. How did Marius conduct himself after his victories? 24. What was the consequence of his attempts at popularity? 25. Was this war of long continuance ? 26. What measures did the senate adopt to end it? 27. What was the consequence of this measure? 28. Against whom did the senate next turn their arms? 29. Who was appointed to command this expedition? 30. What was the consequence of this order? 31. Did Sylla comply with their request? 32. What was the issue of the contest? SECTION II. It is a vain attempt To bind th' ambitious and unjust by treaties; They blush not in the face of heaven to break them. THOMSON. 2. Quag'mire, s. a bog, a deep miry place. 4. Cim'brian, s. a native of Cimbria, now Denmark. Presump'tion, s. great boldness. 6. Præ'tor, s. the governor of a province. 9. Inhos'pitable, a. unkind to strangers, unfriendly. 12. Obnox'ious, a. offensive, disagreeable. 13. Propi'tiate, v. to soften, to subdue. 14. Sa'tiated, v. satisfied, glutted. Ab'rogated, v. repealed, annulled. 19. Suspen'sion, s. a cessation, or laying aside for a time. Parti'cipate, v. to share. 21. Subordina'tion, s. a command, dis cipline. 25. Con'voked, v. called together, as sembled. 27. Proscri'bed, v. condemned to death. 28. Perpetu'ity, s. continuance. Note. Gladiator, s. a man destined to 1. SYLLA now finding himself master of the city, began by modelling the laws so as to favour his outrages; while Ma'rius, driven out of Rome, and declared a public enemy, at the age of seventy, was obliged to save himself, unattended and on foot, from the pursuit of those who sought his life'. 2. After having wandered for some time in this deplorable condition, he found every day his dangers increase, and his pursuers making nearer advances. this distress he concealed himself in the marshes of Mintur'næ2, where he continued a night up to the chin in a quagmire. 3. At break of day he left this dismal place, and made towards the sea-side, in hopes of finding a ship to facilitate his escape; but being known and discovered by 1 In Sulpi'cius, the colleague of Ma'rius, being betrayed by one of his slaves, had his head struck off, and fixed on a stake over against the rostra. The treacherous slave was rewarded with his freedom and a sum of money, and then thrown headlong from the Tarpe'ian rock. (Valerius Maximus.) 2 A town of Campa'nia, between Sinues'sa and For'miæ. (Strabo.) |