[250] The consuls here mentioned entered upon their office on the 1st
of January, 109 B.C. The preparation for the campaign accordingly
belongs to the latter part of the year 110.
[251] ‘An opponent of the popular party;’ adversus being used as a
substantive, in the sense of adversarius; as an adjective, it is
construed with the dative.
[252] Cum collega, a short expression for conjuncta cum collega,
‘everything else he considered as common between himself and his
colleague, but to the Numidian war he alone directed his attention,
as though it were his own exclusive business.’
[253] Praesidia is generally ‘resources;’ but here the same as
auxilia, ‘auxiliary troops.’
[254] Contusae, from contundere, for imminutae, debilitatae,
fractae.
[255] Praedator, belonging to exercitus, is the same as praedas
agens, ‘carrying off booty.’ See Zumpt, § 102, note 2.
[256] Aestivorum tempus is the time suited for the campaign. To
aestivorum supply castrorum, ‘a summer-camp,’ and ‘a campaign
made in summer;’ hence, also, ‘a campaign’ in general, inasmuch as
warlike operations were but rarely carried on in winter.
[257] Albinus, during a portion of the summer of the year 109 B. C.,
continued to command as proconsul, while the consul Metellus was
detained at Rome by the election of the consuls for the year
B. C. 108.
[258] Odos for odor. See Zumpt, § 7.
[259] Cum mercatoribus, ‘in intercourse with merchants.’ The
merchandise, in return for which another commodity is given, is
expressed by the ablative. See Zumpt, § 456.
[260] Ambitio, ‘courting favour;’ hence here in the sense of
‘indulgence,’ ‘connivance,’ these being the ordinary means to obtain
the favour of the multitude.
[261] Ceteris arte modum statuisse still depends upon comperior, ‘I
learn (that is, we are informed) that for the rest (of the wants) he
fixed the measure in a close (niggardly) manner;’ for arte is the
adverb of artus, which is frequently, though not correctly, written
arcte. It must not be confounded with arte from ars. Sallust
might have said, ceteris (rebus) artum modum statuisse.
[262] Supplicia here, as elsewhere, are supplices preces, ‘humble
prayers,’ or ‘petitions.’ Compare chap. 66.
[263] ‘He applies to the ambassadors one by one;’ that is, he tries them
one by one, temptat singulos.
[264] Maxime, the same as potissimum. Compare chap. 35.
[265] ‘What would be in accordance with his wish;’ namely, the granting
of his request.
[266] The plural equitatus is rare; here it refers to different troops
of cavalry, as in Caesar, Bell. Civ. i. 61. To propulsarent
supply eos. See Zumpt, § 766.
[267] ‘Most frequented;’ for celeber, bris, bre, is commonly used
of densely peopled or much frequented places.
[268] Metellus placed a garrison in the city, partly to test the
sentiments of the inhabitants, and partly on account of the
advantages offered to him by the nature of the place, in case the
inhabitants should not object to a garrison of the Romans. The common
reading, si paterentur opportunitates loci, must be rejected, for
the words si paterentur must refer to the inhabitants of the place,
and explain the preceding temptandi gratia. Another reading,
opportunitatis, to which gratia must be supplied by the mind, has
the same meaning as opportunitate, the ablative of cause.
[269] ‘He believed that the great number of merchants (in the town)
and the corn would be of use to the army, and protect the provisions
(of the Roman army) already accumulated,’ so that the Roman stores
might be saved.
[270] Impensius modo; that is, praeter modum, ‘beyond measure,’
‘immoderately;’ literally, ‘stronger than the measure observed in
such matters.’
[271] Exercitum antevenit. See Zumpt, § 386, note.
[272] ‘In an equal direction;’ that is, likewise extending from south
to north.
[273] In the midst of this range there arose another group, extending
far and wide; and, as will be seen hereafter (chapter 49), in a
transverse direction (transverso itinere) from the range to the
river running parallel with it. In immensum, however, must be
understood relatively of a very great extent, and not absolutely of
an infinite extent.
[274] ‘On dry and sandy ground’ is a very singular expression, and
has been noticed as such by the Roman grammarians themselves;
for humi (on the ground) is otherwise used without an adjective as
an adverb. The adjective is here put in the ablative, to denote the
place where, and in the neuter gender, humi being regarded as
indeclinable. In ordinary language, it would be in humo arida.
[275] ‘The battle-line being long, but not deep.’
[276] Montem, the same as monti. See Zumpt, § 411.
[277] Decuerint. Sallust might have written decuerit in the singular.
Compare Zumpt, § 226.
[278] Quum interim Metellus — conspicitur, is the apodosis. ‘Then,
in the meantime, Metellus appears.’ Respecting this use of quum
with the present indicative, see Zumpt, § 580, 2; for the
circumstance of interim being used here, where we might expect
subito, does not alter the case, and only expresses that Jugurtha
was yet engaged in encouraging his army when Metellus became visible.
[279] Incerti is here used passively and personally, ‘uncertain what it
might be,’ for de quibus incertum erat, quidnam esset; and the
neuter quidnam is used in the sense of the masculine plural, ‘it
was uncertain whether they were men, and what sort of men.’ In like
manner we have seen (chapter 18) ignarus used passively.
[280] ‘With an alteration in the ranks,’ those soldiers who had before
marched by the side of one another now being placed behind one
another, as the man who had till then been on the right wing of his
detachment suddenly turned to the right, with his face towards the
hill. On the right of the whole marching army, he now formed the
front towards the enemy (aciem), and strengthened by a threefold
reserve.
[281] ‘The principia standing transversely’ (to the direction in which
till then the column had been). The march of the Roman army
was from east to west; the enemy appeared on the right flank, and
the Roman vanguard (principia) therefore turned round to face them
(that is, turning its face to the north), and it is this direction
which is expressed by transversus. Principia is the vanguard,
because in a Roman legion the ten companies of principes formed the
front line, while the hastati constituted the second, and the
triarii the third. In this manner the principes here faced the
enemy, while the other divisions of the army drew up behind them as
a reserve.
[282] Transversis proeliis, ‘by attacks on the flanks’ — namely, if the
Roman army should resume its march westward.
[283] Temptare lassitudinem militum, the same as lassos milites
aggredi.
[284] The army was drawn up in battle array facing the north, so that,
if it resumed its march westward, the part which formed the left
wing became the head of the column (agmen).
[285] Priores; that is, superiores, ‘superior.’
[286] Ea, ‘on this road,’ or ‘there.’ Evadere, ‘to ascend.’ Vero in
the apodosis renders it strong and emphatic. See Zumpt, § 716.
[287] Respecting the omission of et, see Zumpt, § 782. Arma and
tela are the two kinds of arms, the one being used in a close
contest, and the other at a distance; the use of either of them
depended on chance (fors regebat). Itaque in the next clause is
the same as et ita, and not the conjunction itaque = igitur.
[288] They had no camp, no fortifications into which they could retreat.
Illis refers to the Romans addressed, and is rendered by the
emphatic they; instead of illis, the speaker might have used
ipsis whereby he would have included himself, whereas now he is
speaking only of the soldiers. Compare Zumpt, § 702.
[289] Diei; other editions have die, an obsolete form of the fifth
declension. Adverso colle evadunt, ‘they worked their way up the
opposite hill.’ The author might have said in adversum collem,
‘they ascended it.’
[290] The neuter predicate tutata sunt here refers to two feminine
nouns, instead of tutatae sunt; but it is quite in accordance with
the custom of Sallust. See Zumpt, § 377.
[291] ‘What the enemy were doing in every place;’ for ubique signifies
‘in every place;’ not absolutely, but in every one of the places
where anything was done by the enemy. Ubique stands to ubivis
in the same relation as quisque to quivis. Compare Zumpt, § 710.
[292] ‘He had drawn up his corps close together.’ About arte, see
Cat., chap. 59, and p. 110, note 4 [note 261].
[293] ‘They held out only so long as they believed that they had an
assistance in their elephants.’ When they were disappointed in this
hope, they took to flight; for fugam facere is here the same as
fugere, though generally it is equivalent to fugare.
[294] ‘Tired and worn out.’
[295] The two detachments of the Roman army approaching each other, threw
each other into fear and confusion by the noise of their march, as
they imagined lhat the enemy was approaching. We have retained
adventarent, the reading of the early editions; the one now
generally received, adventare, must be rendered, ‘when they were
not far from one another, they approached in a noisy manner, like
enemies, (and) filled each other mutually with fear.’ But here
the verb adventare is offensive, it having already been said that
they were not far from one another; so also is the mere ablative
strepitu adventare and the omission of et, for which we cannot
see any reason.
[296] Supply esset.
[297] ‘Misfortunes lower even good men;’ that is, diminish their
reputation.
[298] Duration of time is properly expressed by the accusative, but the
ablative also is not unfrequently employed. See Zumpt, § 396.
[299] Sunt here changes the oratio obiiqua into the oratio recta;
according to the grammatical rule, it ought to be sint or essent.
[300] Gentium is added to increase the expression of uncertainty. See
Zumpt, § 434.
[301] A bold combination of terms: soldiers who were in the habit of
being more concerned about the cattle and the field than about war.
Respecting the substantive cultor, instead of the participle
colens, see p. 109, note 5 [note 255].
[302] Ea gratia, a concise expression for ejus (rei) gratia, ‘on this
account.’ In like manner we find hac, ea causa.
[303] ‘Which could not be carried on otherwise than according to his
pleasure;’ because, considering the number and condition of his
irregular troops, he had it in his power both to attack and to
retreat, and thus to draw the Romans hither and thither.
[304] Temere signifies that which is done without any lasting effect,
without serious consideration, or what is suggested by mere accident
or chance.
[305] Sua loca are ‘convenient’ or ‘favourable places;’ aliena,
‘inconvenient ;’ that is, such as he would not have chosen himself.
[306] ‘According to circumstances,’ as in chap. 39: ex copia rerum,
‘according to the state of circumstances.’
[307] Magnificus, ‘boasting,’ ‘insolent,’ as in chap. 31: incedunt per
ora, vestra magnifci.
[308] Such a public thanksgiving ordered by the senate is commonly called
supplicatio, and was a sign that the general was likely to be
honoured with a triumph.
[309] Necubi for ne alicubi, ‘in order that not somewhere.’ See
Zumpt, § 136.
[310] Post insidias Jugurthae, ‘after he had once experienced attacks
made from an ambuscade.’
[311] Zama, a town celebrated for the victory gained, about one hundred
years before, by Scipio over Hannibal. It was situated, according
to Polybius, five days’ march south of Carthage.
[312] In tempore, ‘in due time,’ ‘in proper time.’ Zumpt, § 475, note.
[313] Proelium facere in manibus, the same as pugnare cominus, manus
conserere, ‘to be engaged in close combat.’
[314] ‘Torches mixed of burning pitch and sulphur;’ that is, burning
torches of pitch and sulphur. The singular taedam is used in a
collective sense for the plural taedas.
[315] ‘Those who had been left behind to protect the camp being remiss’
(careless, unconcerned); a figurative use of remissus, taken from a
bow when it is not stretched.
[316] ‘As they, being few, less missed in throwing their darts among
the many.’ The deponent frustari here has a reflective meaning,
‘to exert one’s self in vain,’ ‘to deceive one’s self,’ and must be
conceived to come from the active frustrare, ‘to frustrate.’
[317] ‘Then, indeed (in truth), they showed,’ &c. Respecting vero in
the apodosis, see note on chap. 50.
[318] ‘The Numidian horsemen would not have resisted any longer, had not their infantry mingled with the cavalry caused a great carnage’ (among the Romans). Respecting the imperfect in the protasis, though the apodosis contains the pluperfect, see Zumpt, § 525. The Numidian horse, accordingly, here did not follow their usual custom of making a sudden attack, and then retreating; on the contrary, they fought in such a manner that their own horses and those of the Romans stood head to head, and thus gained an almost complete victory, by procuring a respite for their struggling infantry.
[319] ‘There they exerted themselves most actively,’ eo having the
meaning of eo loco, or ibi.
[320] ‘More upon themselves than upon others.’ See Zumpt, § 725.
[321] ‘One might observe them.’ Zumpt, § 528, note 2.
[322] Sicuti — possent, ‘just as if,’ as sicut, like quasi, is used
for velut. See chap. 31. For it is not possible that the two places
of the struggle, near the walls of Zama, and on the other side of the
Roman camp, should have been so near that the men could hear one
another, or even distinctly see the separate charges.
[323] Niti corporibus, ‘to exert one’s self bodily,’ inasmuch as the
body of the combatants is sometimes moved forward, and sometimes
backward. The plural corpora is as common in Latin as animi, when
several persons are spoken of.
[324] Sine tumultu, ‘without disturbance’ or ‘hindrance.’
[325] Astrictus, ‘fixed intent,’ whose attention was entirely directed
to the contest at a distance. Occupatis also might have been used.
[326] Ad eum, or ad illum, would have been strictly grammatical; and
as Sallust uses ad se, it would have been more consistent to use
the subjunctive defecissent; but the indicative is necessary,
because a fact is to be expressed. All doubts would have been removed
by ad ipsum, for this pronoun would turn our attention away from
the secondary subject, urbes, and direct it to the leading subject,
Metellus. But the ancient authors do not very often use this pronoun
where is or sui, sibi, se, can be employed. Compare chap. 66,
and Zumpt, § 550.
[327] That is, Bomilcar ingenio infidus erat et metuebat.
[328] Ne illo, &.c. refers to Jugurtha, ‘if he hesitated still longer.’
[329] More majorum refers to the custom according to which Roman
generals were not allowed to fix the terms of treaties and peace
according to their own discretion, but had to assemble and consult a
council of war. This council of war consisted of the superior
officers, the legates, the quaestor, the tribuni militum, and the
praefects of the allies. Sometimes the centuriones primipilares also
took part in it, especially when the subjects of discussion were of a
purely military nature.
[330] Pondo, ‘pound,’ properly librarum pondo (depending upon
milia). See Zumpt, § 87. As in the time of the Roman republic
eighty-four denarii were coined out of one pound of silver, and
twenty-five denarii (or 100 sesterces) constituted one Roman aureus,
the amount of silver here mentioned is equivalent to 672,000 nummi
aurei.
[331] ‘When he himself was summoned to receive his orders.’ There
is an ancient military expression, Ad imperium vocari, or adesse,
by which a person present receives a command which he has to carry
into effect. See Zumpt, § 658.
[332] Digna, ‘what is due to him;’ here of course bodily suffering or
punishment.
[333] We are here already at the beginning of the year B.C. 108, in
which Metellus was no longer consul; but the senate had prolonged
his imperium, which accordingly he continued to hold for this year
as proconsul.
[334] Agitabat does not express the sentiment of the haruspex; for if
so, the verb would be in the subjunctive.
[335] Marius accordingly possessed every qualification required of a
candidate for the consulship in a very high degree, but he was not
a member of an ancient family, being a Roman eques of the municipium
of Arpinum. The term ‘ancient family’ means one which had imagines,
or images of ancestors who had been invested with the highest offices
of the state. A Roman eques answers pretty nearly to a modern country
gentleman, and was, generally speaking, a person who had property
enough to enable him to serve on horseback in the army. In point of
rank he was far below a senator; and no services that he could render
to the state as an eques could raise him to the senatorial rank,
which was attainable only through the high offices to which he might
be elected by the people, and by virtue of which he became a member
of the senate. Marius himself had been a senator long before this, as
he had been tribune of the people and praetor, and after his
praetorship, he now was legatus (lieutenant-general) with Metellus.
[336] Belli; that is, in bello, on account of the following domi.
[337] Altus; that is, alitus. See Zumpt, § 198.
[338] That is, quamquam plerique faciem ejus ignorabant, facile tamen
notus factus, &c.; namely, by the report of his distinguished
services in the war, which, in the assembly of the people, was
communicated by one person to another.
[339] Ad id locorum, ‘until then,’ ‘until that time,’ as in chap. 72:
post id locorum. See Zumpt, § 434. Marius did not venture to aspire
to the consulship; for appetere is not the same as petere, the
latter denoting the actual suit or canvass. His ambition had not
yet been directed to that highest of all offices, until religious
superstition suggested it to him, and encouraged him.
[340] The nobiles transmitted the consulship to one another per
manus; that is, after one nobilis had been invested with it, it
was, as it were by agreement, given to another, care being taken that
no homo novus should come forward as a candidate.
[341] His dismissal from the post of legate. If he had wished to return
to the service, he would have asked commeatum, ‘leave of absence.’
He was confident that in his canvass for the consulship he would be
successful.
[342] Superabant; that is, supererant, abunde erant.
Metellus had all the other qualifications in a great degree, but at
the same time he had a haughty contempt for all who were not nobly
born.
[343] ‘He would grant him his dismissal as soon as he could do so
consistently with the duties he owed to the republic.’
[344] Contubernio patris for in contubernio patris, as
contubernalis of the commander-in-chief. It was the custom for
young Roman nobles to perform their first military service as equites
in the suite, and as attachés (adjutants) to a general, whereas other
less favoured Romans served in ordine; that is, enlisted in some
detachment of cavalry or infantry.
[345] Pro, ‘in regard to,’ ‘in consideration of.’
[346] Grassari, ‘to go on,’ ‘proceed;’ but at the same time contains
the idea of excitement or vehemence.
[347] Ambitio, ‘courting favour;’ ambitiosum, something the object
or consequence of which is to gain favour; hence ‘winning,’
‘captivating.’
[348] Inanis, ‘empty.’ Of persons, signifies a man devoid of substance,
one who has only the appearance of something, and is satisfied with
it; hence ‘vain,’ ‘superficial.’ Vanus also is used in the same
sense. Regia superbia. See chap. 31.
[349] Secundus heres is the person who is pointed out in a will to
supply the place of the real heir, in case of the latter being unable
or unwilling to accept the inheritance, especially in case of his
death without leaving any issue.
[350] In eos; that is, in equites Romanos, referring to what follows.
[351] Imperatori, a dativus incommodi, cui poena imponantur, ‘that
with his assistance he should endeavour to find punishments for the
general in return for the insults offered to him.’
[352] ‘This might happen even very soon.’ Adeo points out that which is
essential in a thing. See Zumpt, § 281.
[353] The words milites et negotiatiores are in apposition to equites
Romanos, and describe the two classes of Roman equites existing in
the province, some serving in the army, and others carrying on
business (negotiabantur) in the towns. If the sentence were to be
understood otherwise, the copulative conjunction would not have been
omitted before milites. See Zumpt, § 783. The milites gregarii
and their sentiments are not mentioned, probably because such persons
had little or no communication with their friends at Rome.
[354] Suffragatio, the inclination to give one’s vote in favour of a
person, and the effort to procure him the votes of others; hence ‘the
support given to a person’s election.’ A vote is suffragium, and
suffragari, to vote for a person.
[355] This decree of the people, instituting a criminal investigation
into the acts of bribery committed by Jugurtha, was mentioned in
chap. 40, where it was farther observed that the whole nobility was
terrified by it.
[356] Affectare, ‘to try to obtain a thing,’ ‘to exert one’s self for a
thing.’
[357] Voluntate alienati; that is, sua sponte alienati.
[358] Discordiosus, ‘quarrelsome;’ a very rare word, but formed with
perfect correctness. Zumpt, § 252.
[359] ‘The day promised (beforehand) recreation and enjoyment, rather
than apprehension and terror;’ namely, to the Romans or the Roman
garrison.
[360] In tali die. The preposition here is unusual, but is justified by
the addition tali, indicating the particular circumstances of that
day of joy. See Zumpt, § 475, note. Inermos is much more rare than
inermes. See Zumpt, § 101, note.
[361] Pro tectis, ‘on the edge of the roofs.’
[362] Anceps malum, ‘the double attack;’ namely, the one made on even
ground, and that from the roofs.
[363] Respecting the connection of nisi — videtur, instead of the
complete expression nisi hoc constat — eum videri, see p. 92,
note 2 [note 153]. Intestabilis, properly, ‘a person unfit to give
his evidence, and incapable of making a will;’ hence, according to
Roman usage, equivalent to ‘infamous;’ detestabilis, which also
properly signifies ‘one deserving to be excluded in the will,’ or ‘to
be disinherited.’
[364] ‘Declining everything;’ that is, refusing to obey any order that
was given them.
[365] Passuum might also be passus. See Zumpt, § 116, note.
[366] In primo, ‘at the head,’ or ‘in front,’ the line being spread out
(late), so as to conceal the infantry marching behind the cavalry.
[367] ‘The whole town was given up to punishment or booty.’ We cannot say
urbs poenae fuit alone; but the dative poenae is explained
by the common expression praedae fuit, with which it is connected.
[368] ‘Ordered to defend himself’ against the charge of treachery
which was brought against him. For a reus (a person standing
accused of a crime) causam dicit; that is, conducts his case, or
defends himself. Turpilius was condemned by the war council, and paid
the forfeit with his life, after having previously been scourged.
This ancient severity, according to which the condemned was bound
to a post, and scourged with rods on his naked body, had been
abolished by a lex Porcia for Roman citizens. See page 52, note 5
[note 260].
For this reason Sallust adds the remark, that Turpilius was a citizen
from Latium; that is, he did not possess the full Roman franchise,
but only that part of it which was not incompatible with his
retaining the franchise in some Latin town. Such half-citizens or
Latins, to whom the Roman franchise was given in this manner,
that thereby they acquired the right to settle in the territory of
Rome, and become members of a Roman tribe, provided they renounced
their Latin franchise, were at that time still very numerous;
but they ceased to exist in B.C. 91, when what were called
the Latin towns received the Roman franchise.
[369] ‘He tormented himself day and night with the thought.’ Respecting
this paraphrase of one’s own person by the word animus, see Zumpt,
§ 678.
[370] Quae Jugurthae — superaverant, ‘which had been left for
Jugurtha;’ that is, which he himself had not been able to accomplish.
[371] ‘That the open country might not be laid waste by the enemy
in such a manner as to leave the enemy unpunished’ (inultis).
[372] Metusque — impediebat. The imperfect describes the lasting
condition of the matter, while the perfect, venit, expresses the
momentary act, and the clause metus impediebat represents an
inserted clause denoting cause: metus enim rem impediebat.
[373] Bomilcar was seized with fear in consequence of the timidity shown
by Nabdalsa.
[374] In quîs — accusare. The historical infinitive in a relative
clause is very rare, but in quîs here supplies the place of et in
his.
[375] ‘The question only was, whether Jugurtha should perish by their
(that is, Bomilcar and Nabdalsa’s) valour, or by that of Metellus,’
since his doom was fixed at all events. Id agitari for id agi,
which in this sense is far more frequent.
[376] Allatae; supply essent, an ellipsis, which is not very common
after a conjunction, governing the subjunctive.
[377] Solet, supply capere.
[378] Repperit; for the orthography of this word, see Zumpt, § 22.
[379] Res praevenitur, ‘a thing is anticipated,’ or ‘something is done
previously,’ is found very rarely instead of occupatur. Homo
praevenitur, ‘a person is anticipated in a thing,’ is more common.
[380] Super, the same as de. See Zumpt, § 320.
[381] ‘Differently from what he carried in his mind;’ that is, from what
he intended in his mind.
[382] A beautiful and vivid description of a man who is conscious of
his guilt, and is pursued by all: it is a situation which would have
paralysed the mental energy of even the most enterprising barbarian.
[383] Indicio patefacto is a kind of pleonasm, as indicio facto would
be sufficient; for indicium fit, res ipsa (that is, conjuratio)
patefit — ‘the denunciation is made, the conspiracy is revealed.’
[384] Plebs — acceperant for acceperat, plebs being a collective
noun. Zumpt, § 366.
[385] ‘However, the party-zeal was in both men more decisive than
either their virtues or their faults.’ Moderata sunt, from the
deponent moderor, ‘I determine,’ ‘I guide;’ as in Cicero, mens
moderatur omnia, ‘the mind determines everything.’ Sua bona aut
mala, ‘their own virtues or vices,’ in apposition to the party-zeal
of others. Suus here is not reflective, but only designates
something as opposed to that which belongs to another. See Zumpt,
§ 550.
[386] Arcessere, ‘to summon before a court of justice,’ with the
genitive of the crime or punishment. The forms arcessere and
accersere have the same meaning, but arcessere is more frequent
in the sense of ‘to summon,’ or ‘to accuse.’
[387] Res fidesque, ‘property and credit.’
[388] ‘Crowded around Marius,’ whenever he appeared in public, to show
him their attachment. Post honorem Marii ducerent, the same, as
postponerent honori Marii, the preposition in this sense being
commonly joined to the verb. Compare Cat. chap. 23.
[389] From this instance, we see that the popular assembly was sovereign
in the Roman state; that is, when the people were called upon
to decide a question, which happened but rarely, since it was
customary to leave to the senate the provinces and the current
administration of foreign affairs.
[390] Bocchus, king of Mauretania, west of Numidia, and extending as
far as the Ocean, opposite to Spain. It accordingly comprised the
modern empire of Fez and Morocco.
[391] ‘The Romans gained possession of a considerable number of
standards.’ The adjective aliquantus, with the exception of the
neuter in an absolute sense, is rarely used. We have here to observe
the varying construction of potior. See Zumpt, §§ 465, 466. Sallust
often prefers variety to uniformity.
[392] Tuta sunt might also be tuentur; for the perfect is here used
of things which usually happened, and still happen. Tuta is less
common than tuita or tutata, which in this passage is found in
some good manuscripts, and must perhaps be received into the text.
[393] Impensius modo may be ‘still more strongly,’ his despondency
having already been mentioned; or modo is the ablative, and
impensius modo is stronger than the (ordinary) measure; that is,
beyond measure, ultra modum.
[394] Cultus is everything belonging to the regulation of life, apart
from eating and drinking; so that pueritiae cultus comprises the
regulations for a youth’s residence, his education, and the things
and persons by whom he is surrounded.
[395] ‘And other things fit to contain water;’ probably vessels to keep
water in, and apparatus to purify and mix water, for example, with
vinegar, a beverage usually drunk by the soldiers.
[396] ‘Where they should be assembled.’
[397] Modo is commonly used only to denote that something is less
than it might be, but has here the unusual meaning of ‘that alone,’
or ‘even that alone.’
[398] ‘That for Metellus nothing was now impossible,’ the perfect
participle with the negative prefix denoting impossibility — as
invictus, invincible; incorruptus, incorruptible; inaccessus,
inaccessible. See Zumpt, § 328.
[399] Ex copia, ‘according to circumstances,’ here referring especially
to the different nature of the locality. Vinea, properly ‘a bower
formed of vines;’ hence ‘a protecting roof,’ under which the soldiers
attacked the fortifications of the enemy.
[400] ‘After they had previously worn themselves out by great exertions:’
ante here is superfluous.
[401] Poenas pendere, the same as poenas solvere, ‘to pay a penalty.’
In corrumpunt we may notice a zeugma, as out of corrumpunt we
have to take interficiunt. See Zumpt, § 775.
[402] Illorum; that is, Romanorum. Respecting the situation of Leptis
magna, see chap. 19.
[403] Nave or naviter (‘actively’) is the correct orthography, for
which other editions have gnave. See Zumpt, § 12. Its case is the
same as that of natus, which in composition takes the g — as
cognatus, agnatus; and also narus, ignarus.
[404] Alta; supply in alia tempestate, ‘sometimes deep, and sometimes
shallow.’
[405] ‘They have been called Syrtes from this current, which draws
other things along with it;’ for the Greek συρειν signifies
‘to draw,’ or ‘drag along.’
[406] It was only the language of the inhabitants of Leptis that had
experienced a change, in consequence of their matrimonial connections
with the Numidians, otherwise they had for the most part preserved
their Sidonian, that is, Phoenician, laws and habits, being separated
from the inhabited part of Numidia by extensive deserts, which was
also the reason of the Numidian king’s seldom residing at Leptis,
although the town belonged to his kingdom.
[407] Admonere is here construed in an unusual manner with two
accusatives, one of the person, and the other of the thing, the
latter being expressed by a substantive; for the neuter of a pronoun
in the accusative is not uncommon — as hoc, id, illud te admoneo.
[408] Imperare and imperitare are construed with the dative of that
over which one rules, or take the preposition in with the accusative
or ablative.
[409] Sponsionem facere here has the general sense, ‘to make a
contract,’ otherwise it signifies a contract at which security is
given, which is lost by him who is condemned.
[410] ‘They hastened to get through their journey.’ The intransitive
pergere (like ire) containing the notion of an uninterrupted
continuance, takes a substantive of the same meaning, or of the same
derivation, in the accusative, and thus acquires a transitive
meaning. See Zumpt, § 384.
[411] Retinere; supply proficiscentes or iter facientes.
[412] ‘Devoid of,’ or ‘without products;’ for gignere is used of those
things which, like plants or animals, produce other things like
themselves.
[413] ‘Because they had spoiled the affair;’ as by quick travelling they
might have traversed a considerable extent of country.
[414] Conturbare, ‘to disturb,’ or ‘to try to throw into confusion;’
namely, the agreement.
[415] ‘The Greeks give the Carthaginians the choice,’ for dant optionem
Carthaginiensibus. The genitive Carthaginiensium occurs in most,
and in the best manuscripts.
[416] Ibi; that is, in illis finibus.
[417] The Nomades of the great desert Sahara, and of the oases in it,
in the south of Numidia and Mauretania, as far as the southern
countries inhabited by real negroes.
[418] Pronum, that which, when once commenced, proceeds without
obstacle or difficulty. This is a figurative sense taken from an
inclined plane.
[419] The Roman rulers thus demanded money from Bocchus before
they would grant his request to be declared a friend and ally of the
Roman people, although Bocchus no doubt considered his offer of
friendship as a matter of no small value to the Romans.
[420] ‘But kings so much the more;’ namely, surpass others in the
numbers of their wives.
[421] ‘None (no wife) maintains her position as a sharer;’ that is, none
is recognised as sharing with her husband all the relations of life
and rank.
[422] In locum placitum, ‘at a fixed place,’ at a place where it had
been agreed to meet. The participle placitus is formed irregularly
from the neuter verb placeo, as such verbs generally have no
passive voice. But placeo is used also as an impersonal verb,
placet, and, as such, its perfect is either placuit or placitum
est, ‘it pleased,’ or ‘was decreed.’ The same is the case with other
impersonal verbs; and as in this manner the regular passive form
gradually ceased to be offensive, placitus, a, um, came to be used
in the sense of is qui, ea quae, id quod placuit. Compare Zumpt,
§§ 142, 225.
[423] ‘Of an insatiable avarice;’ for profundus is often used
figuratively of passions and desires which have no bottom or end.
[424] Quis (quibus) refers to the preceding illos; that is,
Romanos.
[425] Tum, sese; supply hostem Romanis esse, which infinitive must be
taken from the following fore. The tum must be rendered in
English by ‘now,’ as it refers to present time. See Zumpt, § 732; and
regarding Persen for Perseum, § 52.
[426] Capta urbe, ‘if the town were taken,’ it would be worth while.
[427] Pacem imminuere, to disturb or spoil the peace with Bocchus
intended to conclude with the Romans.
[428] ‘According to his advantage;’ that is, if a favourable opportunity
should offer.
[429] ‘More than is just and fair.’
[430] According to the language of Cicero, the dative linguae would
have been used in this sense. See Zumpt, § 414.
[431] Alii; supply from what precedes interpretabantur, ‘they
accounted for his sensibility by,’ &c.
[432] Injuria sua has a passive sense; ‘by the injustice done to him.’
[433] Stultitiae might have been stultilia for the genitive. See
Zumpt, § 448, note 1.
[434] Tum. See page 137, note 3
[note 425].
[435] Incerta mutare, ‘to obtain uncertain things in exchange for
others, or for certain things;’ but it might also mean, ‘to give
uncertain things for certain ones.’ See Zumpt, § 456, note.
[436] Desinere is used here for the sake of variety, instead of
finire, deponi.
[437] ‘If the same power were granted to him’ (Jugurtha), namely, to
conclude peace, ‘an agreement might easily be come to.’ Res convenit
inter nos is the same as convenimus de re, ‘we agree upon the
matter.’
[438] ‘The plebs being most desirous.’ The participle cupiens, with
its degrees of comparison like an adjective, is rare, but not
contrary to grammar.
[439] Multus instare is rather a poetical phrase for multum,
‘greatly,’ or ‘repeatedly.’
[440] Ambiundo cogere, ‘to oblige a person by flattering words;’ a very
expressive phrase, signifying that kind of compulsion which is
effected by flattery and intreaties.
[441] For the expression aliquid mihi volenti est, ‘a thing accords
with my wishes,’ see Zumpt, § 420, note. Neque corresponds with
et: on the one hand, it was not believed that the service in the
army was agreeable to the plebs; and on the other hand, it was
believed that Marius, owing to the aversion of the people to military
service, would either do without a numerous army, or that he would
lose the popular favour if he should compel the common people.
[442] Traho animo, or cum animo meo, ‘I am incessantly occupied in my
mind with something.’
[443] From what precedes, supply mihi videtur.
[444] Marius, according to the ordinary usage of the Latin language,
calls his appointment to the consulship a beneficium, ‘a favour,’
of the Roman people.
[445] ‘Is more difficult;’ namely, than is commonly believed, quam
opinio est.
[446] Procedunt, ‘benefit the state,’ ‘promote the general good.’
[447] Vertit, intransitively, ‘has become changed;’ the same as vertit
se, or versum est. See Zumpt, § 145.
[448] Prosapia for familia, an ancient and obsolete word, and
intentionally put into the mouth of Marius to ridicule the
pretensions of the nobility.
[449] Marius calls those nobles who do not make themselves acquainted
with the duties of public offices, until they have obtained them,
praeposteri homines; that is, ‘men who do afterwards that which
they ought to do before;’ for, he adds, it is true one must first be
appointed to an office, in order to do anything in it, but an active
preparation ought to precede.
[450] ‘I consider, indeed, all men to be equal by nature, but I make
this distinction, that the bravest is the most noble.’ By quamquam,
Marius breaks off the question about noble or ignoble birth (Zumpt,
§ 341); sed introduces a new distinction between men; namely that
of merit.
[451] Faciant idem, ‘let them despise their own ancestors likewise.’
[452] Hujusce rei; that is, commemorationis majorum meorum, ‘I cannot
speak of my ancestors.’
[453] Meamet, commonly with the addition of ipse. Zumpt, § 139, note.
[454] ‘That no one may interpret my modesty as if I were conscious
of my own weakness and want of ability.’ Modesty often shows
itself mainly in silence. Conscientia is the consciousness of a
person both of his valuable qualities and of his deficiencies.
Ducere in aliquid, ‘to consider a thing as;’ ‘to interpret a thing
as:’ compare chap. 82: vertere in superbiam.
[455] Militaria dona are presents which a general gives publicly to
brave soldiers, and which they either wear as honourable
distinctions, or which they kept and preserved in their houses. Such
presents were with the ancients what orders are in modern times.
Among them are frequently mentioned lances, bridles, chains worn
round the neck (torques), bracelets (armillae), pins or brooches
(fibulae) to fasten the cloak, and crowns (coronae). It was less
common, but very honourable, to receive a flag (vexillum) attached
to a pole.
[456] ‘I consider this as something too unimportant.’ Parum is used
substantively.
[457] ‘Greek literature has not benefited its professors (that is, the
Greek nation) in regard to political virtue:’ inasmuch as the Greek
states had been unable to protect their political liberty either
against kings and tyrants, or against foreigners. Virtus signifies
especially ‘bravery,’ ‘valour;’ but it has also a more general
meaning, comprising justice, abstinence, and the sacrificing of one’s
own advantages.
[458] Praesidia agitare, ‘to keep watch,’ to maintain the posts
intrusted to us for the protection of friends against the attacks of
enemies.
[459] Arte colere, ‘to keep close;’ opulenter colere, ‘to treat
liberally.’
[460] ‘To compel by bodily punishment.’
[461] Celebravere; that is, extulerunt, auxerunt. Celebrare
properly signifies ‘to make or render frequent;’ that is, to bring
into repute, and therefore to fill with men, buildings or other
objects.
[462] ‘I have no cook worth more than a steward.’ Marius here assails
the luxury of others, who considered a clever cook worth more
than a clever steward. Both kinds of people were slaves; the
villicus was the principal and overseer of all the servants engaged
in agriculture on the estate (villa) of a Roman noble. Coquus is
also spelled cocus. See Zumpt, § 5.
[463] Quin ergo — faciant, ‘why, then, will they not do?’ This form
of expression contains an exhortation to do something. The
subjunctive, therefore, does not depend upon quin, but upon the
optative meaning of the sentence. See Zumpt, § 542.
[464] Ereptum eunt, ‘they endeavour to snatch away,’ or ‘they snatch
away.’
[465] Cladi sunt, ‘they are a destruction;’ the same as calamitosae,
perniciosae sunt.
[466] That is, ‘you have removed (deposed) the greedy, inexperienced,
and haughty commanders.’ Marius alluding to his predecessors, Bestia,
Albinus, and Metellus.
[467] Attrito, ‘worn away,’ ‘annihilated,’ ‘sacrificed.’
[468] ‘Serve the republic,’ ‘devote yourselves to the public good.’
[469] ‘Both as an adviser and sharer in the danger.’ Idem indicates the
union of two predicates belonging to one subject. See Zumpt, § 697.
[470] ‘I shall treat myself and you in the same manner.’
[471] Decebat, a peculiarity of the Latin language for deceret. See
Zumpt, § 518.
[472] In this way Marius introduced a great change in the military
affairs of Rome. Previous to his time, only the citizens of the first
five property classes were enlisted to serve in the legions. Those
persons whose property did not come up to the lowest estimate of
the fifth class, were excluded from the honourable service in the
legions. They were capite censi, because, when the censors made
out their lists, those persons had only to give in their personal
existence or name for registration. Their being called ‘the sixth
class’ is an improper application of the term, as, strictly speaking,
classis signifies only ‘a property class.’ As the number of persons
of this kind was at that time (B.C. 107) already very considerable,
and as there were among them many both able and willing to serve in
the army, and lastly, as Marius was opposed to all exclusive
privileges, he enlisted those poor people who voluntarily offered
themselves in the legions, and thus created an army of able men, and
accustomed to endure hardships. The higher orders did not object to
this measure, because it lightened their burdens connected with the
service in the army. But however useful this arrangement was at the
time, it contained the elements of a body of soldiers distinct from
the citizens; for when the time of their military service was over,
those men did not feel inclined to return to a quiet citizen’s life,
and thus became a very powerful and ready instrument in the hands of
ambitious generals, such as Sulla and Caesar.
[473] Sua curae; another reading is cura sunt, the sense of which is
nearly the same. Sua, ‘a person’s own property,’ or ‘all that
belongs to him,’ including the state itself.
[474] ‘With a considerably larger army.’ About this meaning of
aliquanto with a comparative, see Zumpt, §§ 108, 488.
[475] Utica, the most important city in the province of Africa: it was
a more ancient Phoenician colony than even Carthage. In the second
Punic war, after it had revolted from Carthage, it was rewarded
by the Romans with freedom and independence. Its present name is
Biserta, north-west of Tunis.
[476] ‘Laden with booty;’ that is, filled with things which can be taken
as booty.
[477] Pugnae adesse belong together, ‘to take part in the battle.’
Marius’s plan was well calculated, as he inspired his soldiers with
courage before leading them to labour and hardship.
[478] Futuros; supply esse, ‘they would behave;’ hence the adverbs.
See Zumpt, § 365.
[479] ‘Contrary to his expectation;’ for spes is often used in the
general sense of ‘expecting,’ or ‘looking forward to’ anything,
whether good or bad.
[480] Armis exuere, ‘to disarm;’ here the same as ‘conquer’ or
‘defeat;’ intimating that the enemies take to flight, leaving their
arms behind.
[481] ‘Not calculated to bring the war to a close.’ See Zumpt, § 662.
[482] Adversum se erant is a combination of two constructions
— adversum se essent and adversum eum erant — of which we have
already observed several instances. Compare chap. 66, and p. 122,
note 1 [note 326].
[483] To nudatum supply fore, which is to be taken out of the
following esse; ‘he hoped that Jugurtha would either be deprived of
his fortified places, or be compelled to fight.’
[484] Ne quid — timeret, ‘(requesting him) not to fear anything;’ the
imperative of the oratio recta is expressed in the oratio obliqua by
the subjunctive. See Zumpt, § 603.
[485] In manus venire, ‘to come within reach,’ ‘engage in close
combat;’ for manus conserere, which is much more frequent.
[486] ‘It seemed to be time;’ that is, it seemed to be a favourable
moment, or it seemed to be advisable; hence the infinitive aggredi.
Zumpt, § 659, note.
[487] Capsa, a town in the eastern part of Numidia, between the river
Bagradas, which empties itself into the sea not far from Carthage,
and lake Tritonis: it is believed still to exist under the name of
Cafza, and to have been founded by the African Hercules; that is,
by Phoenicians; for the Phoenician conquests are ascribed to a
Phoenician Hercules, and the north coast of Africa was the principal
scene of the enterprises of those seafaring conquerors.
[488] Immunis, ‘exempt from taxes.’
[489] Other editions have quarum instead of quorum. See Zumpt, § 78,
note.
[490] Jugis aqua, ‘running water,’ or ‘a well perpetually flowing.’
The other water which they used was rain water, and to pluvia we
must supply aqua.
[491] Africa — incultius agebat, ‘Africa, which was in a state of
greater want of cultivation;’ an unusual transfer of the verb agere
(to be in a condition) from the inhabitants of a country to the
country itself.
[492] ‘He was brought into danger’ or ‘difficulty.’
[493] ‘They take more care about pastures than cultivated fields.’
[494] Exornat; supply rem, expeditionem, ‘the undertaking or
campaign.’
[495] Per implies an equal distribution among the centuries and turmae.
[496] Duum for duorum occurs most frequently in connection with
milium. See Zumpt, § 115, note 2.
[497] Res trepidae, ‘a dangerous situation.’
[498] Sallust feels that he must excuse or explain the destruction of a
town which had surrendered at discretion.
[499] ‘All things, not only his good arrangements, were interpreted
as good services,’ so that to non we have to supply modo. For the
phrase in virtutem trahere, see chap. 85: ducere in conscientiam.
[500] ‘He was either himself endowed with a divine mind, or everything
was revealed to him by divine inspiration.’
[501] Capsensium; supply res, ‘the undertaking against Capsa;’ for
the name of the inhabitants of a town is often used for that of the
town itself.
[502] ‘For it was on all sides steep, as if made so by human hands,
and purposely.’ The accusative omnia is to be taken adverbially,
‘on all sides,’ just as we frequently find cetera and reliqua.
See Zumpt, § 459. Other editions and inferior manuscripts have per
omnia, omni parte, omnis, all of which are only attempts to
explain the true reading.
[503] ‘For the fort contained a sufficient number of men, arms, and
provisions.’ This is the reading of the manuscripts; in modern
editions et is omitted, and the passage is given with the following
punctuation: nam castello virorum atque armorum satis, magna vis
frumenti, which seems indeed to be supported by the sense; but
violates the rule, that when there are three nouns, the conjunction
must either be used twice, or omitted altogether.
[504] ‘The road of the inhabitants of the castle;’ that is, the only
road which led up to the castle.
[505] ‘Do their work ;’ namely, break through the wall.
[506] Aestuans is here used figuratively of one who is in care and
anxiety.
[507] Ligus, ‘a Ligurian,’ belonging to the country of Liguria, which
was then not yet considered as belonging to Italy, and the capital
of which was Genoa. Four cohorts of Ligurian auxiliares in the Roman
army were mentioned in chap. 77, and those auxiliaries were no doubt
of great service to the Romans in this war, since they were
accustomed to climbing, ascending heights, and other hardships, from
their own mountainous country. Livy, too, praises the quickness,
perseverance, and adroitness of the Ligurians in the petty warfare in
which they were engaged for many years against the Romans.
[508] Egressus est, the same as escendit or evasit, ‘he got up.’
[509] ‘The desire to accomplish difficult things changed his mind,’
inasmuch as he gave up collecting snails, and planned an attack
upon the castle.
[510] ‘He drew an accurate plan of the area of the castle,’ as from his
high position he could survey the whole. It is indeed hard to suppose
that the Ligurian had with him the necessary drawing materials;
but perscribit may possibly mean only to mark such points as
would enable the soldier to make an accurate drawing of the locality
after his return to the camp.
[511] ‘The Numidians were most intently observing the combatants, being
with them.’
[512] ‘Marius despatched some of his followers to test the promises of
the Ligurian.’
[513] ‘Out of the horn-blowers and trumpeters he chose five in number.’
Numero is almost superfluous.
[514] Pergit; namely, Ligus.
[515] ‘That it might proceed more easily.’
[516] ‘In order that, if they stumbled against anything, they might make
less noise.’
[517] ‘And the roots which, owing to their old age, were standing forth;’
for the roots of old trees rise out of the ground, and such
knots remain on the surface even when the trees no longer exist.
[518] ‘He himself foremost (potissimus) tried those places which it
was doubtful (dangerous) to climb up.’
[519] ‘And then immediately withdrawing;’ namely, in order to make room
for those who followed.
[520] ‘The inconsiderate boldness of Marius (of attacking an impregnable
fortress), when it became adjusted (justified, correcta) by
chance, found praise instead of blame.’ The sudden terror of the
Numidians on their hearing the military music of the Romans in
their rear, was, according to Sallust, most advantageous to the
Romans; for if the Numidians, while engaged in fighting, had
despatched fifty men, they might easily have thrown down the few
Romans who had found their way up; for the number of four centurions
for the protection of the trumpeters is indeed surprisingly
small, and we might almost be inclined to suppose that these
centurions were followed by their centuries at some distance.
[521] Quos refers to the equites implied in the word equitatus.
This is a construction ad sensum, of which many examples occur in
Sallust (compare Cat. 7), though the present case is rather
unusual.
[522] Res, ‘the subject,’ ‘the present discussion,’ or ‘the context of
the narrative.’
[523] Persecutus; supply Sullae naturam cultumque. L. Sisenna, an
early contemporary of Cicero, had written a history of the civil war
between Marius and Sulla; he was himself a partisan of Sulla, and
therefore not quite unbiassed in his judgment.
[524] The patrician gens to which Sulla belonged was the gens Cornelia.
The statement that the family of Sulla was almost extinct, in
consequence of the inactivity of the ancestors of the great Sulla,
applies to their loss of power and influence rather than to a
physical decay of the family.
[525] Atque doctissime, ‘and that very profoundly;’ the same as et
doctissime quidem.
[526] Nisi quod adds a limitation or exception to something stated
before. Here the preceding praise is qualified or limited by the
remark, that in his matrimonial relation he might have behaved
better; for he was married several times, and chose his wives at the
spur of a momentary passion. Potuit consuli; supply ab eo; that
is, potuisset consulere.
[527] Amicitia facilis, ‘pleasing and agreeable in his friendship or
friendly intercourse.’
[528] Altitudo animi, the unfathomableness of a man’s character and
designs — a character which shows nothing outwardly of what is going
on within. Such a character has all the requisites to become
hypocritical, ad simulationem et dissimulationem.
[529] ‘His good fortune was never greater than his activity;’ that is,
his activity was equal to his good fortune, and he therefore deserved
all praise. But his doings after his victory in the civil war are
utterly condemned by Sallust, who then assigns to him neither
good-luck nor activity.