[1]Aevi brevis, ‘of short duration.’Aevum, in the sense ofaetas, is rather poetical, and does not occur till a rather late period; whence the common expressionmedium aevum, ‘the middle ages,’ is not exactly in accordance with the best Latinity.[2]Invenias; supplyquam naturam humanam.[3]Grassatur, the same asingreditur, ‘advances towards;’ butgrassarihas the additional meaning of power and vehemence, whence it is often used to mark the progress of something bad.[4]Paulisper, ‘for a short time.’[5]Auctorescontains a whole clause — ‘every one transfers his own fault,though he himself is the author of it, to circumstances;’ that is, to the things which he himself has done.[6]Quodsi, ‘if, however.’ Zumpt, § 807.[7]‘And at the same time very dangerous.’ In many cases one feels inclined to assign to the adverbmultumthe meaning of ‘often,’ but with adjectives, it is used only to strengthen their meaning.[8]Regerentur; supplycasibus.[9]Eo magnitudinis; that is,ad eam magnitudinem, ‘to that greatness.’ See Zumpt, § 434.
[10]According to the common arrangement of words, it would bealia corporis, alia animi; but Sallust abandons this order just because it is common. For the same reason he prefersalii — parstoalii — alii.Naturam corporis(oranimi)sequuntur, ‘they follow the nature (that is, they are of the same kind) of body and mind.’ Regarding the change ofanimaintoanimus, it must be observed thatanimais ‘the soul,’ the seat and basis ofanimus(mind), which is the activity of theanima.[11]‘But the mind is not subject to corruption’ (that is, to dissolution and annihilation), for a perfect participle with the negative prefix in frequently denotes a passive impossibility, which is usually expressed by adjectives ending inilisorbilis; asinvictus miles, an invincible soldier.[12]‘The mind possesses all things, but itself is not possessed;’ that is, it is free. This is an imitation of a well-known Greek phrase,εχω, ουκ εχομαι.[13]Admirarisignifies not only ‘to admire,’ but also ‘to wonder,’ at anything which is surprising or displeasing; and in the latter sense it is the same asmirari.[14]Respectingceterumas an adversative conjunction, see Zumpt, § 349.
[15]Hac tempestate, the same ashoc tempore. Sallust frequently usestempestasin this sense, though certainly the time which he paints in such dark colours — namely, the period after the murder of Caesar, in B.C. 44 — was an agitated and stormy one.[16]‘Who have obtained by fraud an honour or honourable office,’quibus honos contigit.[17]Honestus, ‘honoured,’ or ‘honourable;’ forhonestus(fromhonor) is both the one who is intrusted with an honourable office, and in general he who is worthy of an honour. The persons here spoken of werehonestiin the first, but not in the second sense.[18]It might seem doubtful as to whetherparenteshere means ‘obeying persons’ — that is, subjects of the Roman state — or ‘kinsmen,’ ‘relatives.’ We believe the latter to be the case, because to control subjects by force was not deemed improper by the ancients. Sallust elsewhere also combinespatria et parentes(Catil.6,Jug.87), thereby expressing the idea of a free and equalcivitas, which is to be convinced, not forced, and to be governed by magistrates chosen by itself, and not by a despotic ruler. The wordimportunusproperly characterises the rudeness and unbearableness of a despot or tyrant.[19]‘Even if you have the power, and intend to punish actual crimes in the state’ — whereby Sallust intimates that a tyrannical government may actually introduce improvements, as history proves to have been the case at all times. The subjunctive is used withquamquam, because the author speaks only of a possibility, and also because an indefinite person is addressed by the second person singular. Compare Zumpt, § 831, 3.[20]Portendereis here the same as ‘to bring with one’s self,’ or ‘to be followed by.’ It is a very sound remark, that by violent changes in a constitution, improvements may indeed be effected, but that at the same time these are accompanied or followed by many acts of injustice and crime.[21]Frustra niti, ‘to strive in vain (namely, to effect improvements), if, after all, nothing but hatred is incurred by it, is extreme folly.’[22]Nisi forte, ‘unless perhaps’ — which surely cannot be the case with any sensible man. Respecting this use ofnisi forte, expressing an improbable supposition, see Zumpt, § 526.[23]Libido — gratificari, ‘the inclination to gratify;’ forlibido tenetis only a paraphrase forlibet. This statement is striking, and but too true, for there are men who think it an honour to sacrifice their own conviction and independence for the purpose of pleasing persons in power.
[24]Memoria rerum gestarum, ‘the recording of events ;’ that is, the writing of history, the usefulness (virtus) of which is acknowledged.[25]The wordsper insolentiambelong tolaudando extollere, and the meaning is, ‘that no one may believe me to extol my own occupation with excessive praise.’Per insolentiamis the same asinsolenter,perexpressing manner.[26]‘At leastthoseto whom it appears to be a lofty occupation,’ &c. Respecting the omission of the demonstrative pronoun before the relative, even when they are in different cases, see Zumpt, § 765.[27]‘And what distinguished men were unable to attain such a distinction.’ Sallust here boasts of having obtained a seat in the senate, and a high magistracy, at a time when it was a matter of difficulty, and when even men of great merit were unable to gain either. But at the same time he adds the remark, that afterwards many undeserving persons were introduced into the senate, to co-operate with whom was no honour.Quae genera hominumrefers to the filling up of the senate with persons from the lower classes, and even with such as were not free-born. This connivance at ambitious upstarts, or rather this recklessness in filling up the vacancies in the supreme council of Rome, was shown not only by the dictator J. Caesar, but by his successors in power, M. Antony and Octavianus. In consequence of such things, Sallust adds, it will be evident that he was justified in withdrawing from public life.[28]That is, the celebrated Fabius Maximus, surnamed Cunctator, who distinguished himself by his prudence in the second Punic War. P. Scipio is the elder Scipio Africanus, the conqueror of Hannibal. We might indeed imagine that Sallust is speaking of Scipio Africanus the younger, but his being mentioned along with Fabius Maximus must lead every reader to think of the elder Scipio.[29]The images (imagines) of ancestors might indeed be statues, but from the mention of wax in the next sentence, it is evident that we have to understand the wax masks which constituted the greatest ornament in the vestibule of the house of a noble family. The busts (portraits) of those ancestors who had been invested with a curule office were made of wax, and their descendants used these wax portraits to dress up persons representing in public processions the illustrious deceased, adorned with all the insignia of the offices with which they had been invested. Such processions, especially at public funerals (a real kind of masquerade), were intended to keep alive in the memory of the Romans not only the names and exploits of their illustrious statesmen and warriors, but even their bodily appearance.[30]Scilicet, in this passage, is not a conjunction as usual, but, as in the earlier Latinity of Plautus and Terence, it is used forscire licet, ‘one may perceive,’ or ‘it is self-evident,’ and is accordingly followed by the accusative with the infinitive.[31]‘The flame of their noble ambition did not become extinguished until their merit had obtained the fame and glory’ (namely, of those ancestors).[32]His moribus, ‘in the present state of morality;’ an ablative absolute.[33]Instead ofneque, the author might have usedaut, for both particles are used to continue a negative statement. See Zumpt, § 337.[34]Homines novi, ‘new men,’ so called by the Romans, were those persons who were the first of their family to rise to curule offices, as Cato Censorius, and at a later time Cicero. In former times, Sallust says, suchhomines novidistinguished themselves by their ability, while now they rise by base means, especially by party strife and party interest, which he contemptuously callslatrocinium.[35]Proinde quasi, ‘just as if,’ and afterwardsperinde habentur ut, ‘they are considered as of equal value.’ Compare Zumpt, §§ 282 and 340.
[36]Respecting the special meaning of this periphrastic conjugation, see Zumpt, § 498. Sallust states that he wishes to describe this war separately, because during its progress there was kindled at Rome that struggle between the populares and the optimates, which was in the end carried on with such senseless vehemence, that only the devastation of Italy put a stop to the civil discord (studiis civilibus), and that only a military despotism (first of Caesar, and afterwards of the triumvirs) was able to restore peace. This part of the description of the Jugurthine war, accordingly, is of the greatest importance, in forming a correct idea of the history of Rome at that time.[37]The same meaning might have been expressed byut omnia ad cognoscendum illustriora et apertiora sint. See Zumpt, § 106.[38]That is, ‘after the Roman name had become great;’ for in earlier times the Roman people had suffered still greater reverses, especially when the Gauls took and burned the city of Rome itself. But the author purposely avoids speaking of those early periods.[39]Africano. See Zumpt, § 421.[40]Aboutetaftermulta, see Zumpt, § 756.[41]Magnum atque late, the connection of an adjective and adverb is somewhat singular — ‘the dominion of Syphax existed as a large one, and had a wide extent;’ for he possessed the whole of western Numidia, being the hereditary king of the people of the Massaesyli, while Masinissa had only the smaller, eastern, part, and the tribe of the Massyli.[42]‘He had left him behind in a private station;’ that is, he had not appointed him in his will ruler of any portion of his dominions. But his uncle Micipsa gave him that which his grandfather Masinissa had refused to him; namely, he recognised him as a prince of the royal family.
[43]Luxuforluxui. See Zumpt, § 81.[44]‘The favourable opportunity of his advanced age, and of the tender age of his children.’[45]Opportunities are apt to lead ordinary persons (not endowed with great mental powers) away from the right path.Transversus, ‘that which turns away to one side.’
[46]‘In the war against Numantia.’ Numantia was the capital of the Arevaci, a tribe of the Celtiberians in Spain, and was situated on the upper Durius (now Duero), in the mountainous district whence the Durius and Tagus flow westward, and other rivers eastward, into the Iberus (Ebro), and southward into the Mediterranean. This city carried on a desperate war against Rome to defend its own independence. After a brave resistance of many years, it was taken and destroyed, B. C. 133, by Scipio the younger, the destroyer of Carthage. Its ruins are believed to be in the neighbourhood of the modern Soria.[47]Qui tum erat— that is,quem tum Romani imperatorem habebant.[48]Difficillimum in primis, likedifficillimum omnium; that is, the most difficult among those that were the first or foremost in difficulty.[49]The one — namely, to be good in council — usually produces timidity; the other — namely, to be bold in battle — rashness.Alterum — alterum, takes up the things mentioned before, but in an inverse order; respecting which, see Zumpt, § 700, note.[50]Eratfor the usual subjunctiveesset.
[51]‘To whom wealth was of more importance than that which is good and noble.’[52]For the meaning ofproin this and similar expressions, see Zumpt, § 311.[53]Not to make presents to individuals,quibusbeing used foraliquibus. Scipio must have seen with displeasure the intimacy between Jugurtha and certain young ambitious Romans of an equivocal character.[54]‘In his own mode of acting,’ must be understood here of his honourable mode of acting; though there are alsomalae artes, such as faithlessness, cunning, flattery, and the like.
[55]Certo scio; we also findcerte scio. See Zumpt, § 266, note.[56]Verba habereis sometimes used in the sense oforationem habere.
[57]Me falsum habuitforme fefellit. We remarked before (Cat. 51) that Sallust is fond of usinghaberein certain phrases.[58]Amicissimos.See Zumpt, § 410.[59]Per regni fidem, ‘by the conscientiousness which is observed in governing, and must be observed;’ so that it is almost the same asper regiam fidem, orper fidem regum, which kings owe to one another.[60]Adjungere; supplytibi, ‘connect yourself with strangers,’ as opposed to supporting and maintaining friendly relations with his friends and kinsmen.[61]Sallust here changes his expression. He might have saidparantur, butparerealso occurs in other authors in the sense ofparare, or ‘to acquire.’[62]Ante hos, ‘in preference to these.’[63]Observarehas a sense similar to that ofcolere, ‘to honour’ and refers to the observance of all the duties of devotedness, especially in the external relations of social life.
[64]Regulimay be petty kings with small dominions as well as young kings — that is, princes. We here take the latter to be the meaning.[65]Adherbalem assedit, orAdherbali assedit, ‘he sat himself down at the right-hand side of Adherbal.’ See Zumpt, § 386, note. There accordingly remained for Jugurtha only the place on the left of Adherbal — that is, the least honourable of the three places.[66]Fatigatusis commonly construed with an ablative, which is here to be supplied (precibus); but without such an addition,fatigaresignifies ‘to importune a person with prayers and requests.’[67]‘Within the last three years;’ but as the author is here speaking of the time at which something happened, it is used instead ofante triennium, ortriennio ante.[68]Cum animo habere, the same ascum, orin animo agitare,volvere,reputare. Here, again, we must attend to the use ofhabere.
[69]Alius alio, ‘one in one direction, and the other in another.’ See Zumpt, § 289.[70]Proximus lictoris the one of the lictors who, when they precede the praetors or consuls, walks last, and is therefore nearest to his commander; and this lictor, according to Roman custom, had the highest rank among his fellow-lictors. The customs of the Romans were imitated at the courts of allied princes.[71]Claves adulterinae, ‘imitation keys.’[72]Respecting thequumin descriptions, where it is commonly preceded byinterea, orinterim, see Zumpt, § 580.
[73]Parat, in the sense ofse parat, ‘he prepares himself,’ or ‘sets about;’ and thusparareis not unfrequently used by Sallust absolutely in the sense ofstatuereandinstituere.[74]Provinciahere is the Roman province of Africa, consisting of the territory of Carthage which had been destroyed, and containing the towns of Leptis, Hadrumetum, Utica, and Carthage, which was gradually rising again as a Roman town. That territory now belongs to the dey of Tunis, a vassal prince of the Turkish sultan. Numidia, in the west of the Roman province, was bounded in the west by the kingdom of Mauretania, and comprised the modern Algeria which is possessed by the French.[75]Paucis diebus, ‘within a few days;’ that is, a few days after. See Zumpt, § 480.[76]Singulos ambire, ‘to go about addressing individual persons,’ has at the same time the meaning of ‘attempting to gain them over by intreaties or promises.’[77]‘That no severe decree might be passed against him,’ne gravius consilium in eum caperetur.
[78]Adherbal says that only the administration of Numidia belongs to him, but that the legal title and supremacy belong to Rome — the language of abject servility, by which he wishes to recommend himself to the protection of the senate.[79]Affinesare those connected with one another by marriage, whereascognatiare relations by blood.[80]Sustinereis here the same asferre.[81]‘As I was to come to such misery;’ that is, as it had been ordained by fate that I should come to such misery. See Zumpt, § 498.[82]Adherbal wishes to be able to solicit the aid of the Romans, in consequence of his own services, rather than those of his ancestors; he then again divides that wish, considering it as most desirable that the Roman people should owe him services without his being in want of them, and next in desirableness that the services which he requires should be performed as services due to him. By this latter sentiment he returns to the point from which he set out — namely, his wish to have done good services (beneficia) to the Romans.Vellemin this sentence is followed twice by the accusative with the infinitive (posse, to whichmeis to be supplied, andbeneficia deberi), and then by a clause withut(uti;that is,ut — uterer).Secundum ea, ‘next to,’ or ‘next after this,’ according to the etymology ofsecundumfromsequor.[83]In manu fuit, an expression not uncommon in the comic poets;in manu alicujus est, ‘it is in a person’s power.’[84]‘At a time when the good fortune of the Romans did not render it so desirable to enter into connection with them as their fidelity and trustworthiness.’[85]‘Do not allow me in vain to pray for your assistance.’Mein this sentence is accompanied by two accusatives in apposition, firstprogeniem, and thennepotem Masinissae.[86]Observe the unusual combinationRomani populiforpopuli Romani, which is to be explained by the fact, that hereRomaniis the more emphatic word, placing the Roman people in contrast with other nations.[87]‘O I, unfortunate man! to what result, father Micipsa, have thy good services led!’ For the accusativeme miserum, see Zumpt, § 402; and for the double suffix inhucine, § 132.[88]‘Never, then, will our family be at peace!’ an exclamation to which afterwards an interrogative sentence withneis appended. The former also might have been expressed bynumquamne ergo, &c.[89]The subjunctivejussissetisindicates a repeated action. See Zumpt, § 569. The senate and people of Rome had the right to make war and peace throughout the extent of the Roman dominion, so that the allied nations and kings were obliged to regard those against whom the Romans declared war as their own enemies; as, for example, not long since, the Numantines.[90]‘Who being a brother, was at the same time a relation.’ Respecting this use of the pronounidem, when the two predicates are added to one subject, see Zumpt, § 697.[91]Non queo; that is,nequeo, ornon possum.[92]Extorris(fromterra), asexsulfromsolum, ‘homeless.’ Respecting the ablative denoting separation or privation, see Zumpt, § 468.[93]Tutius; the adjectivetutioralso might have been used. Respecting the use of adverbs with esse, see Zumpt, § 365.[94]Maxime tutos; that is,omnium tutissimos.[95]‘Whatever was in the power of our family;’quod per familiam nostram stetit.[96]This inserted clause belongs to the followingpropinquus. The demonstrativeid(oris) is omitted, and the relative clause precedes the word to which it refers. See Zumpt, §§ 765, 813.[97]Pars — pars; that is,alii — alii; whence the verb is in the plural.[98]Exigere vitamforagere vitam, but implying a long and sorrowful life.[99]‘Which out of friendly things (circumstances), have become hostile.’ The neuternecessariaalso comprises the persons who are termednecessarii, ‘persons connected by ties of relationship or friendship;’ such as in particular Jugurtha, the adoptive brother of the speaker.[100]‘Whither shall I turn myself? whom shall I call to my assistance?’ Donatus, an ancient grammarian, in his commentary on Terence, quotes from Sallustquo accidam?‘whither shall I turn myself for assistance?’ but none of the manuscripts has that reading in this passage.[101]He alludes to the nations and kings who were still independent and had not yet been incorporated with the Roman empire, especially the kings of Syria and Egypt, and perhaps also the king of Mauritania.[102]Sallust might have saidhujus imperii, but he prefers the dative, which is a dativus incommodi.[103]Secundus, ‘favourable,’ according to its derivation fromsequor, is especially used of a favourable wind, but also in the general sense of ‘assisting,’ or ‘devoted to.’[104]Fatigare, ‘to importune a person with prayers.’ See notechap. 3.[105]Quodutinamconnects this sentence in an animated manner with the preceding, otherwiseutinamalone might be used. ‘Yes, would that I could but see Jugurtha feigning these very things.’[106]Nae ille — reddat; as far as the sense is concerned, this sentence forms the apodosis to the preceding wish: ‘would that I could see him in like circumstances, and would that at length the gods opened their eyes; then he would surely have to pay a heavy penalty for his impiety, for the death of my brother and for my sufferings.’ The present subjunctive in the apodosis corresponds with the same tense in the protasis, and differs very little from the future indicative. See Zumpt, § 524, note.[107]‘Although life has been taken from thee before the age of maturity, and by a person who should have done it least of all.’Unde, the more general relative, is here used fora quo homine. In like manner the Romans, in legal phraseology, called the defendantunde petitur; that is, the person of whom payment is demanded.[108]Doleo, ‘I grieve at,’ is construed withde, asde casu tuo, with the ablative alone,casu tuo, and also as a transitive verb with the accusative,doleo casum tuum.Laetarihere follows the construction ofdoleo, for it is generally followed byde, or the ablative alone. See Zumpt, § 383.[109]Namely, the life and death of the persecuted Adherbal depends upon the power of Jugurtha.[110]Adherbal wishes two things: first, that a speedy death may terminate his misfortunes; and second, not to be obliged to live in contempt, if he should yield to Jugurtha. But neither of these things, says he, can be done. Jugurtha will continue to lay snares for him, and if he yields, and gives up to him his kingdom, he must live despised. These two wishes are here uttered to move the hearts of the senators, expressed as they are by a king.[111]Per vos liberos atque parentes vestros. The wordsper liberosbelong together; tovossupplyoro. See Zumpt, § 794. Adherbal intreats the senators by their children and parents, because Jugurtha has so criminally trampled on the sacred rights of the family. Others readper vos per liberos vestros; but this is wrong, and the repetition ofperis bad: we never intreat persons by themselves, but by something that is dear to them.[112]Tabescere, ‘to waste away,’ ‘perish;’ the proper meaning is, ‘to be consumed by some disease.’
[113]Ante facta, &c. It would have been more common to sayfactis suis anteponerent. In Cicero,anteis not used to denote preference as in Sallust,Cat.53:Graeci ante Romanos fuereforGraeci Romanis praestabant.[114]According to Sallust’s mode of speaking, we should have expecteddepravati,parsbeing only another form foralii. But nothing can be said against the grammatical agreementpars depravata, it being that form which, according to grammar, should be used.[115]Scaurus dreaded the stained audacity of those who accepted bribes from Jugurtha without any scruple or shame, and would have liked to stir up against them the hatred and envy of others.Licentiais the conduct of a man who thinks he is allowed to do anything, and accordingly here signifies to accept bribes by which statesmen disgrace themselves. The adjective which properly refers to men (pollutus) is here transferred tolicentia. Sallust describes Aemelius Scaurus, one of the most eminent men of his age (he was twice consul and princeps senatus), as a prudent aristocrat, anxious to keep up a respectable appearance, and to avoid suspicion as much as possible; although in secret he, too, had recourse to unfair means to obtain influence and wealth. The events which Sallust has related hitherto, the murder of Hiempsal, the expulsion of Adherbal by Jugurtha, and Adherbal’s flight to Rome, belong to the year B.C. 116, a time when, if we except some trifling wars against barbarous tribes on the frontiers, the Roman Republic was not engaged in any military undertaking.
[116]Opimius had been consul in B.C. 121, and in that year he had, with the authority of the senate, crushed the democratical party of G. Gracchus by force of arms. In consequence of that victory, several very harsh measures had been adopted by the aristocracy to strengthen and increase the power of the senate and the nobility. Opimius, too, was a statesman of loose principles, as is clear from the narrative of Sallust.[117]Fideforfidei. See Zumpt, § 85, note 3.[118]Possedit, ‘he took possession of.’ The presentpossideoonly means ‘to possess;’ but the past tenses,possedi,possessum, at the same time have the meaning of ‘taking possession,’ as if they were formed from a presentpossido,possidere. Compare the similarly-formed compounds ofsido,sidere, in Zumpt, § 189.
[119]Frequentata sunt, ‘they have been frequented.’ The participle is in the neuter, the subjects being both animate and inanimate.Asperitasrefers to the inaccessible nature of mountainous districts.[120]Other editions havein partem tertiam, and this deviation from the common mode of speaking (which is to useponowithinand the ablative) commentators explain by the remark, that the division was not yet made, but only supposed. But the Latin language knows of no such distinction.[121]In the earliest times, before the earth was divided into three parts, it was rather customary to consider Africa, especially Egypt and the countries about the Nile, as belonging to Asia. To connect Africa with Europe could only have been an idea of those who divided the earth into an eastern and a western half, and did not know the vast extent of Africa to the south.[122]Fretum, &c.; that is, the Fretum Herculeum, or the Straits of Gibraltar. It is clear that Sallust wants to state only the northern frontier of Africa on the Mediterranean, and the frontiers in the east and west. The extent of Africa southward was too little known to him to speak about it.[123]‘The inclined plain,’ or, as the geographer Mela says, ‘the valley which inclines towards Egypt.’ The length of this valley extends from south to north as far as the Mediterranean, and in the upper part it separates the immense desert in the west from the oasis in the east, which is considered as a part of Egypt. The easternmost country in Africa on the Mediterranean was Cyrenaica. It is therefore quite clear that Sallust does not include Egypt in Africa.[124]Sallust wants to give a short account of the original inhabitants of Africa, and their amalgamation with new immigrants, such as it was translated for him from the Punic books of King Hiempsal. This Hiempsal is not the same as the one already mentioned, who had been murdered by Jugurtha, but a later descendant of Masinissa, who ruled after Jugurtha, and was still alive in the days of Cicero, about B. C. 60.Interpretatum est, in a passive sense. See Zumpt, § 632.
[125]Within the clause expressed by the ablative absolute (multis — petentibus) there is inserted another stating that each did so for himself, and that in the nominative case, becausemultis petentibusis, after all, only a different form forquum multi peterent. Grammatically speaking, it ought to besibi quoque; but no Latin would have understood this, since he would have takenquoqueas an adverb. See Zumpt, § 710.Passim, ‘in different places,’ ‘scattered everywhere,’ but not ‘here and there.’ The tradition of the immense conquests extending to the western extremities of the known earth, which are ascribed to Hercules (Heracles), who occurs in the traditions of various nations, runs through the whole of ancient history.[126]Nostrum mareis the Mediterranean, the African coast of which was occupied by the parts of Hercules’ army here mentioned; and the Persae, it is farther stated, occupied that coast which is more within (that is, ‘on this side,’ as a person writing at Rome would say) the ocean.[127]Gnarusandignarushave most commonly an active meaning, denoting ‘one who does know,’ or ‘one does not know;’ but sometimes, and especially in Sallust and Tacitus, they have a passive meaning, ‘he who is known,’ and ‘he who is not known.’ So hereignara linguais the same asignota lingua.[128]‘They tried the fields;’ that is, ‘the soil,’ as to whether it was fruitful, and in this manner they sometimes inhabited one place, and sometimes another.Alia, deinde alia, is the same asalia atque alia, as inchap. 26. Hence they were called in GreekΝομαδες, and the Greek accusative of this word,NomadasforNomades, is used by Sallust in the next sentence. See Zumpt, § 74.[129]The Medes and Armenians in the army of Hercules joined the Libyans, the ancient inhabitants of Africa.Libyesis the accusative, foraccedereis joined with the accusative as well as the dative of the person whom one joins. See Zumpt, § 386, note.[130]This derivation of the nameMauriis very improbable. The Mauri are the inhabitants of the western part of the African coast of the Mediterranean. They lived to the west of the mouth of the river Mulucha (which separated them from the Numidians), opposite Malaga and Cadiz, and also on the coast of the ocean extending southward as far as those countries were known to the ancients. The modern name of Moors is derived from the ancient Mauri.[131]Utriquerefers toparentesand their descendants, the Numidae. One part of the nation trusted to the other (alteris freti), and was supported by it.
[132]Toaliis — avidissupplysollicitatis.[133]All three are cities in the territory of Carthage, which afterwards became the province of Africa. Hippo with the surname of Diarrhytus, (there being another town, Hippo Regius, on the coast of Numidia,) is said to be the modern Bizerta; Hadrumetum, southeast of Carthage, and Leptis, surnamed minor (there being another town, Leptis magna, more to the east), are now in ruins.[134]‘To their origin;’ that is, to their mother country Phoenicia, whence the settlers had come.[135]The transition to Carthage by the conjunctionnampresupposes the ellipsis of some such sentiment as — ‘I only meant to mention these Phoenician settlements on the African coast,forit is well known that Carthage also was a settlement of the Phoenicians.’[136]Secundo mari, ‘along the sea,’ is said according to the analogy ofsecundo flumine(see Caes.Bell. Gall.vii. 58)secundo flumine ad Lutetiam iter facere coepit. The sea has indeed no current like a river, but the direction is determined by the person travelling on the coast, and in this case it is the direction from east to west.Theraeiare the inhabitants of the island of Thera, in the Greek Archipelago, south of Peloponnesus, whence the first Greek settlers at Cyrene proceeded in B. C. 631, under the leadership of Battus. Respecting the Greek genitiveon, instead oforum, see Zumpt, § 52, 1.[137]Syrtis majorandSyrtis minorare two large sandbanks near the coast of Africa between Cyrene and Carthage. They were very dangerous to navigation, and between them lay the route to Leptis magna, a city of considerable importance. Comparechap. 78, where Sallust describes these sandbanks and the bays named after them.[138]The origin of the name of this place is stated by Sallust,chap. 79. As it was situated above the great, that is, the eastern Syrtis, it is clear thatdeindeis used somewhat vaguely, since only the great Syrtis, but not the town of Leptis and the small Syrtis, precede the place Arae Philaenon in the order of succession.[139]‘Above Numidia;’ that is, southward, towards the inland, the coast being always, or at least being always conceived to be, lower than the inland districts.[140]Novissime, ‘latterly;’ that is, at the beginning of the third Punic war, the result of which was, that Carthage and its territory became a Roman province.[141]Cetera ignarus, ‘otherwise unknown.’ Compare p. 87, note 4 [note 127]; and oncetera, Zumpt, § 459.
[142]Questum, the supine, ‘in order to complain’[143]‘The war previously undertaken had turned out unsuccessfully.’ Aboutsecus, see Zumpt, § 283.
[144]Cirta, the capital of Numidia, situated in that part of the country nearest to Carthage, or the Roman province. It is said to be ‘not far from the sea,’ only in consideration of the vast extent of Numidia to the south. Cirta is the modern Constantina, which name it received in honour of the Emperor Constantine, and is situated at a distance of four days’ march from Bona, the ancient Hippo Regius.[145]Plerumquefor the more commonplurimum, ‘the greater part.’ See Zumpt, § 103.[146]As Sallust in other passages connectsparsandalii, so herepartimandalios,partimbeing the same aspartem.[147]Togatiare Roman citizens, for they alone wore the peculiar and privileged dress calledtoga. But it may be that other Italians also are comprised under the name; for Romans and Italians resided in great numbers in all the towns subject to the Roman dominion, for the sake of commerce, and in them they formed a distinctconventus.Moenibus prohibere. See Zumpt, § 468.[148]It would be more in accordance with the ordinary usage to say,et se et illis. See Zumpt, § 338.
[149]Literally, ‘but this report was mild;’ that is, it spoke of the battle and siege as if they had been mild or moderate; which was not the case, as Jugurtha carried them on with all his energy.[150]Pro bono facere; literally, ‘to act in accordance with what is good,’ and hence ‘to act well,’bene agere.[151]Utriquerefers to both parties — the Roman ambassadors on the one hand, and Jugurtha on the other. The ambassadors were not allowed to speak with Adherbal.
[152]Arrigere, the same asexcitare; hence frequentlyanimum arrigere, ‘to rouse courage.’
[153]Nisi tamen intellegorefers to the precedingplura scribere nolo, and expresses an exception, as is always the case withnisiafter a negative: he will write nothing else, but still add the remark that Jugurtha aimed at something beyond the kingdom of Adherbal; namely, that he intended afterwards to attack the Romans themselves, because he saw that the acquisition of the kingdom of Adherbal was irreconcilable with the friendship of Rome.Plura non scribam nisi hoc intellegois an elliptical expression, equivalent toplura non scribam, nisi hoc scribam, me intellegere.[154]‘Whatever may have been our mutual acts of injustice, it is no concern of yours;’ that is, they must be indifferent to you. Consider only the fact, that he has taken possession of the kingdom of your ally.[155]Adherbal, for the purpose of exciting the sympathy of the senate, represents it as a fact that he is born only to exhibit (endure) the crimes of Jugurtha. Respecting the dativeostentui, see Zumpt, §§ 90 and 422.[156]Adherbal prays the senate toprevent (deprecor)his enemy from acquiring the sole sovereignty, and from killing him amid tortures.
[157]Consuleretur; supplysenatus; ‘that the subject of the disobedience shown by Jugurtha should be brought for decision before the senate.’[158]Enisum est, ‘it was carried.’ Observe the passive meaning of the deponent verb.[159]Quam ocissime, ‘as speedily as possible.’ The positive ofocissimeis not in use in Latin. Zumpt, § 293, note.[160]Cirtam irrumpereis a peculiarity in the style of Sallust, the common expression being,in urbem irrumpere. See Zumpt, § 386, note.[161]By engaging the enemy’s troops in different places, and thus dividing them. This is the meaning of the inseparable particledisordi.
[162]‘Although he considered everything else to be of more weight than the faithfulness (promise) of Jugurtha.’ The conquest of Cirta, and the putting to death of Adherbal, belong to the year B. C. 112.
[163]Interpellando, ‘by interrupting the speakers, and introducing other topics.’[164]By this law of the tribune G. Sempronius Gracchus, in the year B. C. 122, it had been ordained that every year previous to the election of the consuls for the next year, the senate should determine those provinces which should be assigned to the consuls about to be elected, after the expiration of the year of their office. As two provinces were thus fixed upon, the consuls afterwards determined by lot which should have the one, and which the other. The object of this law was to prevent intrigues in the senate, which would be carried on by the ruling consuls if they had to choose their own provinces.[165]Obvenit, ‘fell to the lot.’ Whenever Italy is called a province, it is implied that the consul undertaking its administration was to remain at Rome, and was to be ready for any other war which might break out. For in the first place, there were now no wars in Italy, and in the second place, Italy was not a province in the ordinary sense of the term. The consuls here mentioned entered upon their office on the 1st January, B. C. 111.
[166]Venum eo, or contractedveneo, infinitivevenire, ‘to go to be sold,’ or ‘to be sold;’ the passive ofvendo(I sell) is not in use. Zumpt, § 187.[167]Adventabant, with the accusative, see Zumpt, § 489.[168]In diebus, &c.; forin, with words denoting time, see Zumpt, § 479.Deditumis a supine.[169]Legareproperly signifies ‘to despatch,’ and ‘to add to;’ whence the wordlegatusmeans both ‘an ambassador,’ and ‘a person added to an officer,’ who, when necessary, supplies his place. SeeCatil.chap. 59. It was the business of the senate to supply such legates to a magistrate (senatus legat aliquem alicui), but as this was commonly done on the proposal or recommendation of the magistrate himself, we also readlegat sibi, ‘he chooses some one to be his legate.’[170]Supra. Seechap. 15.[171]Respecting the omission ofinbeforeSiciliam, see Zumpt, § 398, note 1.
[172]Aeger avaritia, ‘sick with avarice;’ a very appropriate expression, describing moral defects as a disease.[173]A principio; that is,in principio. See Zumpt, § 304. The faction of Scaurus is that of the nobility or aristocracy.[174]Vaga, a considerable town in Numidia, to the south-east of Cirta.[175]‘A truce was observed on account of (or during) the delay of the surrender,’ which Jugurtha had promised, but which could not yet be carried into effect.[176]Secretarefers toreliqua, so that the other negotiations were secret, whereas the proposal to surrender had been made in presence of the war council. It would have been more in accordance with ordinary usage to employ the adverbsecretobelonging to the verb.[177]The opinions of the persons invited to the war council were asked onlyen masse (per saturam). The Latin expression is taken fromlanx satura, a dish offered as a sacrifice to the gods, and containing different kinds of fruit. Its figurative application to other mixtures is here indicated byquasi.[178]Pro consilio; that is,in consilio. See Zumpt, § 311.[179]To cause the magistrates for the year B.C. 110 to be elected. The president in the elective assemblyrogat populum(requests the people) to appoint new officers; hencerogare, the usual term.
[180]Parum constabat, ‘was not firmly determined upon;’ namely,iis, patribus— that is, they had not yet made up their minds.
[181]Dehortantur a vobis— that is,ad causam vestram suscipiendam, ‘many things dissuade me to undertake your cause.’ According to the context, the expression might, or rather should be,multa me dehortantur, ni superaret; but the present represents the act ofsuperareas an actual fact, and is at the same time more impressive.[182]The number XV., which is found in all good manuscripts, points to the year B. C. 125, in which the aristocracy gained a decisive victory through the praetor L. Opimius, who destroyed the town of Fregellae, and thereby crushed the first attempt of the Italian allies (socii) to obtain the Roman franchise. It may be supposed that this attempt of the allies was even then supported by the Roman plebs, as was the case afterwards in the time of Marius.[183]Ab ignaviais to be taken in the sense of ‘in consequence of,’ or ‘on account of your cowardice.’ See Zumpt, § 305.[184]‘When your political enemies (in consequence of the crime which they have committed) are deserving of punishment, and in your hands.’[185]Animus subigit. ‘My feelings compel me to stand out against the faction (of the optimates), in spite of your lukewarmness.’[186]Ob rem, ‘effectually,’ ‘with success.’[187]‘They must ruin themselves.’[188]‘I will grant that everything has been done with justice, which cannot be punished without again shedding the blood of citizens;’ that is, the cruelties then committed by the optimates in crushing Tib. and G. Gracchus may be considered as legitimate, since the perpetrators cannot be punished without fresh executions.Ulciscor, usually a deponent, is here used in a passive sense, just as the participleultusis sometimes used in the sense ofvindicatus. For the same reason, the passive formnequiturhas been chosen; respecting which, see Zumpt, § 216.[189]Parum habuere, ‘they considered it too little’ (this is the meaning ofparum): it was not enough for them that they had committed such disgraceful acts.[190]Incedere per ora hominum, ‘to walk in the eyes’ or ‘in the sight of men.’[191]‘The cruelties committed against the defenders of the plebs, serve them as a bulwark;’ that is, make them only the more audacious.[192]Aboutquam maxime — tam maxime, expressing a proportionate increase, see Zumpt, § 725.[193]A complicated expression — ‘they have transferred their fear, which they ought to have on account of their crime, to your cowardice;’ that is, to you who are cowards, or whom they consider as cowards.[194]In unum coëgit; that is,conjunxit, copulavit. The infinitives here are the subjects of the sentence: the same fear and the same greediness have united all your opponents into one league. CompareCat.20:idem velle atque idem nolle, ea demum firma amicitia est.[195]Benejicia vestra; that is,honores, magistratus, imperia.[196]The speaker refers to the two most important secessions of the Roman plebs — the one in which they obtained their tribunes in B.C. 510, and the other, which was undertaken in B.C. 449. to restore the consulate and the tribuneship after the overthrow of the tyrannical rule of the decemvirs. Both led to the establishment of a legitimate state of things (jus), and the latter, in particular, to the establishment of the decisive authority of the people against the magistrates and the patricians. This sovereignty of the Roman people was termedmajestas. These secessions, according to the statements of the ancients, were made to the Mons Sacer, and not to the Aventine; but Sallust here follows other ancient authorities; and it is probable enough that the plebs may have occupied both hills.[197]Respecting the form of this sentence, see Zumpt, § 781. The answer to this question is contained in the clauseatque eo vehementius, to which we must supplynitendum vobis est.Atqueintroduces the answer with emphasis.[198]Vindicareis construed withinand the accusative, as well asvindicare scelus in aliquoandvindicare aliquam rem.Vindicare in aliquem, ‘to use force against a person for the purpose of taking revenge.’Vindicare sibi rem, ‘to claim a thing for one’s self,’ or ‘to appropriate a thing.’[199]Quaestio, ‘a judicial inquiry into a crime,’ ‘a criminal trial.’[200]Nisi fortesupposes, with a strong irony, a case which cannot be conceived. See Zumpt, § 526.[201]Quantum importunitatis habent, ‘according to the high degree of impudence and arrogance which they possess.’ Sallust might have said,quae eorum importunitas est, orpro eorum importunitate. See Zumpt, § 705.[202]Rex, according to Roman notions, always contains the idea of an absolute ruler, and is therefore frequently used in the sense of ‘a tyrant.’ The idea of a constitutional or limited monarchy was not known in antiquity, except perhaps at Sparta.[203]Perditum eatis; that is,perdatis. See Zumpt, § 669.[204]Practically, it is quite correct, that in the administration of a state it is more necessary to punish criminals than to reward good services; for it is impossible that all good citizens should be rewarded with external distinctions; but if a criminal remains unpunished, he does harm by his example, and undermines the organism of the state.
[205]Arcessere, ‘to summon before a court of justice,’ governs the genitive of the thing for which a person is summoned.[206]Rogatio, ‘a proposal to the people,’ because, in making a proposal, as well as at elections of magistrates, the people were requested (rogabatur) to pass a resolution.
[207]Per sese, ‘as far as lay in him,’ ‘as much as he could,’ as in the phraseper me licet.[208]RespectingRomae Numidiaeque, whereNumidiaeby a kind of attraction takes the same case asRomae, instead ofin Numidia, see Zumpt, § 398, note 1.[209]‘He (Jugurtha) would not, indeed, thereby be a safety to his accomplices, but destroy his own hope (of obtaining pardon).’
[210]The wordsquae ira fieri amatare very surprising, but were regarded by the ancients themselves as a Graecism of Sallust, from whom Quinctilian quotes the wordsquae vulgus amat fieri, which occurred in a work of Sallust that is lost. In both cases, we must construeira (vulgus) amatwith an accusative with the infinitive after it: ‘anger likes that this or that should happen.’[211]Animus augescit, ‘courage grows’ or ‘increases.’ For the pluralanimi, see Zumpt, § 92.
[212]We here enter the year B.C. 110.[213]Urgueat, ‘presses Jugurtha;’ that is, he is hindered by the indignation on account of his past crimes, and at the same time by the apprehension with which the Roman people regard him.[214]He would like best that it should be done in secret; but if this should not succeed, he would like it to be done in any way, whatever it might be. Instead ofmaxime, the author might have saidpotissimum. See the same expressionchap. 46.[215]Profiteri indicium, ‘to declare that you will state everything.’ We must understand that in the defective administration of justice at Rome, theindex(informer) received a promise of impunity.[216]Manifestus, with the genitive of the crime, is a personqui mani festo tenetur, or against whom there is most decisive evidence.[217]Animum adverto, the same as the compoundanimadverto, likevenum eoforveneo.[218]Jugurtha had given fifty sureties in the name of Bomilcar, in order that he might remain at liberty. These sureties were of course fifty Roman citizens. As Bomilcar fled, those sureties had to pay the money with which each guaranteed his appearance, and there can be no doubt but that Jugurtha secretly paid the money.[219]Paucis diebus.See Zumpt, § 480.
[220]This season was usually the middle of the year, but was frequently delayed until the autumn. The consul Albinus seems to have been commissioned to preside at the elections, because his colleague, who had obtained Macedonia, was at a still greater distance.[221]Jugurtha protracted the war, delayed the negotiations for peace, and in this manner thwarted the consul. We have here restored the active formludificare, because it exists in all the manuscripts. It is found also in Cicero, though the deponentludificariis more frequent.[222]Some were convinced that after the hurry which the consul had shown at the beginning, the war was protracted, not so much by his carelessness, as by his cunning designs.Non magis quamis expressed in modern languages as if the Latin weredolo magis quam socordia: ‘they believed that the war was protracted by his cunning designs rather than by his carelessness.’ See Zumpt, § 725.
[223]Continuare magistratum, ‘to continue for another year in a magistracy which has been given for only one year.’ In the case of some magistracies this was forbidden by law; in that of tribunes of the people, it occurs rather frequently in the early times, that they were re-elected twice or oftener in successive years. The last in stance of a tribuneship lasting for two years is that of G. Gracchus, in B.C. 123 and 122; and even then this re-election was the cause of violent commotions, and it was impossible to carry it for the third year.[224]Around the wall, which had been built on the extreme edge of a precipitous rock, the clayey soil had formed a marsh. Respectingextremumused substantively, see Zumpt, § 435.
[225]Respecting the frequentativesductareandmissitare, which last is a secondary derivative frommittere(ascurrere, cursare, cursitare), see Zumpt, § 231; and aboutvitabundus, § 248.[226]The usual arrangement of the words would be:corrumpere, ut alii (partim) transfugerent, alii — desererent. Theutis here repeated in the second clause, which is rather unusual.[227]Trepidare, in its proper sense, is, ‘to run about with fear and trembling.’[228]Anceps, ‘twofold,’ on the part of the enemy and of that of nature.[229]The author here distinguishes the infantry (cohors) and cavalry (turma) of the auxiliaries, and the common soldiers from the Roman legions.[230]Theprimus pilusin a Roman legion is the first company (manipulus) of the third class of legionaries, who were calledpilaniortriarii, and were employed in battle as a reserve, while the two other classes of legionaries, thehastatiandprincipes, began the engagement. A legion thus contained ten maniples of every class; that is, altogether thirty maniples, each of which consisted of twocenturiae, and eachcenturiawas commanded by acenturio. Out of these sixty centurions of a legion, the two commanding theprimus pilus(they themselves also were called, like their companies,primi pili) were the first in rank, and again theductor prioris centuriae primi piliwas the principal centurion in a legion. The treachery of such an officer, therefore, is the more surprising. To the pronouneasupplyvia;ea, with this ellipsis, is used as an adverb in the sense of ‘there.’ See Zumpt, § 207, 288.[231]In accordance with the rules on the oratio obliqua, Sallust ought to have writtenteneat.[232]Ajugumwas formed by two lances fixed in the ground, and a third fastened across them so as to form a gate. When an army confessed itself to be conquered, and after capitulating, was allowed to depart, the troops had to march under a yoke of this description.[233]Literally: ‘because the disgrace was exchanged for the fear of death;’ that is, by enduring it, they became free from the fear of death.
[234]Dolere pro gloria, ‘to be grieved for reputation;’ that is, as they were interested in the glory of their country, they were grieved at the disgrace (dedecoreorpropter dedecus) they had suffered.Timere libertati, ‘to be afraid of losing one’s freedom,’ it appearing to be in danger. See Zumpt, § 414.[235]Nomen Latinumis the same associi Latini, orLatinialone. The expression properly signifies those who are called Latins; for this class of people comprised not only those who really belonged to the nation of the Latins — such as the inhabitants of the ancient Latin towns of Tibur and Praeneste — but those also whose towns subsequently received the same privileges. The latter were termed coloniae Latinae — such as Alba in the country of the Marsians, Beneventum in Samnium, Cremona and Placentia on the Po.[236]Ex copia rerum, ‘according to his present resources,’ ‘according to the state of affairs.’
[237]In a few manuscripts we readneglegisset, respecting which see Zumpt, § 195.[238]Quin faterentur, ‘without confessing.’ See Zumpt, § 539.[239]M. Scaurus, who, as Sallust stated before, was himself bribed by Jugurtha, had availed himself of the time when the people were rejoicing at his victory, when the city was still under apprehensions respecting the war, and when many other nobles, from a consciousness of guilt, kept back; and there can be no doubt that, through the influence of his friends, he contrived to be himself elected one of the commissioners who had to institute inquiries about these briberies, and thus escaped being tried himself.[240]Exhere signifies ‘with respect to.’ The people after this victory were insolent, so that the commissioners yielded to the wishes of the multitude.
[241]‘The custom of (forming) parties among the people, and of factions in the senate;’ the people are divided intopartes, the senate intofactiones; the latter evidently implies intriguing combinations.[242]‘From the abundance of those things which mortals deem of the first importance.’Primais used substantively, and with it the relative pronoun (quae) agrees. Sallust might have saidquas — primas.[243]Scilicet, ‘naturally,’ is used here as an adverb. See Zumpt, § 271.[244]The annexation of small free farms to the adjoining large estates, is described by all the ancient authors as the cause of the great misery of the Roman state, and, as Sallust remarks, it was facilitated by the absence of many of the free citizens who were serving in the armies; for their fathers or children, who were left behind, were easily induced to sell their small farm to a wealthy and powerful neighbour. For force was certainly not always applied, andpellerehere signifies ‘to displace,’ rather than ‘to expel.’ The large estates thus formed were calledlatifundia.[245]Permixtio terraeis said figuratively, as is indicated byquasi, ‘a chaos — a mixture of elements.’
[246]Tib. Gracchus was slain in B.C. 133, and his brother, G. Gracchus, in B.C. 121. Sallust here states that the faction of the optimates threw obstacles in the way of the two brothers, sometimes by means of thesocii(in Italy), and sometimes by means of the Roman equites, who had been drawn into the senate by the popular party. This refers, in the first place, to the opposition made, through the instrumentality of the Latins, to the scheme of the Gracchi to settle poor Roman citizens in Latin colonies; and secondly, to the ingratitude of the equites, to whom G. Gracchus had transferred the administration of justice, after having taken it from the senate. Respectingmodo — interdum, instead ofmodo — modo, see Zumpt, § 723.[247]Sallust admits that the Gracchi went somewhat too far, but blames the violence with which the faction of the optimates took vengeance upon them; ‘for,’ says he, ‘a good man prefers being conquered, to taking revenge for injury done to him in a violent manner’ — intimating that the optimates ought to have borne the injury done to them by the Gracchi, rather than avenge it with murder and assassination.[248]Acerbius; that is,nimis acerbe, oracerbius quam par est.[249]Omnis civitatisfortotius civitatis, in opposition to the patres.Parem; that is,velim, which is followed in the apodosis by the same subjunctive present, or the future indicative. See Zumpt, § 524, note 1.Res, the same asmateria,argumentum, ‘subject.’