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resistance； chiefly gave them the impulse of marching towards Rome。
Having vanquished all they had met； and found abundance of plunder；
they resolved to settle themselves nowhere till they should have razed
the city and wasted all Italy。 The Romans； being from all parts
alarmed with this news； sent for Marius to undertake the war； and
nominated him the second time consul； though the law did not permit
any one that was absent； or that had not waited a certain time after
his first consulship； to be again created。 But the people rejected all
opposers； for they considered this was not the first time that the law
gave place to the common interest； nor the present occasion less
urgent than that when； contrary to law； they made Scipio consul； not
in fear for the destruction of their own city； but desiring the ruin
of that of the Carthaginians。
Thus it was decided； and Marius； bringing over his legions out of
Africa on the very first day of January； which the Romans count the
beginning of the year； received the consulship； and then； also；
entered in triumph； showing Jugurtha a prisoner to the people； a sight
they had despaired of ever beholding； nor could any； so long as he
lived； hope to reduce the enemy in Africa； so fertile in expedients
was he to adapt himself to every turn of fortune； and so bold as
well as subtle。 When； however； he was led in triumph； it is said
that he fell distracted； and when he was afterwards thrown into
prison； where some tore off his clothes by force； and others； whilst
they struggled for his golden earring； with it pulled off the tip of
his ear； and when he was； after this； cast naked into the dungeon；
in his amazement and confusion； with a ghastly laugh； he cried out； 〃O
Hercules！ how cold your bath is！〃 Here for six days struggling with
hunger； and to the very last minute desirous of life； he was overtaken
by the just reward of his villainies。 In this triumph was brought；
as is stated； of gold three thousand and seven pounds weight； of
silver bullion five thousand seven hundred and seventy…five； of
money in gold and silver coin two hundred and eighty…seven thousand
drachmas。 After the solemnity； Marius called together the senate in
the capitol； and entered； whether through inadvertency or unbecoming
exultation with his good fortune； in his triumphal habit； but
presently observing the senate offended at it； went out； and
returned in his ordinary purple…bordered robe。
On the expedition he carefully disciplined and trained his army
whilst they were on their way； giving them practice in long marches；
and running of every sort； and compelling every man to carry his own
baggage and prepare his own victuals； insomuch that thenceforward
laborious soldiers； who did their work silently without grumbling； had
the name of 〃Marius's mules。〃 Some； however； think the proverb had a
different occasion； that when Scipio besieged Numantia； and was
careful to inspect not only their horses and arms； but their mules and
carriages too； and see how well equipped and in what readiness each
one's was； Marius brought forth his horse which he had fed extremely
well； and a mule in better case； stronger and gentler than those of
others； that the general was very well pleased； and often afterwards
mentioned Marius's beasts； and that hence the soldiers； when
speaking jestingly in the praise of a drudging laborious fellow；
called him Marius's mule。
But to proceed； very great fortune seemed to attend Marius； for by
the enemy in a manner changing their course； and falling first upon
Spain； he had time to exercise his soldiers； and confirm their
courage； and； which was most important； to show them what he himself
was。 For that fierce manner of his in command； and inexorableness in
punishing； when his men became used not to do amiss or disobey； was
felt to be wholesome and advantageous； as well as just； and his
violent spirit； stern voice； and harsh aspect； which in a little while
grew familiar to them； they esteemed terrible not to themselves； but
only to their enemies。 But his uprightness in judging more
especially pleased the soldiers； one remarkable instance of which is
as follows。 One Caius Lusius； his own nephew； had a command under
him in the army； a man not in other respects of bad character； but
shamefully licentious with young men。 He had one young man under his
command called Trebonius； with whom notwithstanding many solicitations
he could never prevail。 At length one night he sent a messenger for
him and Trebonius came； as it was not lawful for him to refuse when he
was sent for； and being brought into his tent； when Lusius began to
use violence with him； he drew his sword and ran him through。 This was
done whilst Marius was absent。 When he returned； he appointed
Trebonius a time for his trial； where； whilst many accused him； and
not any one appeared in his defence； he himself boldly related the
whole matter； and brought witness of his previous conduct to Lusius；
who had frequently offered him considerable presents。 Marius； admiring
his conduct and much pleased； commanded the garland； the usual Roman
reward of valour； to be brought； and himself crowned Trebonius with
it； as having performed an excellent action； at a time that very
much wanted such good examples。
This being told at Rome； proved no small help to Marius towards
his third consulship； to which also conduced the expectation of the
barbarians at the summer season； the people being unwilling to trust
their fortunes with any other general but him。 However； their
arrival was not so early as was imagined； and the time of Marius's
consulship was again expired。 The election coming on； and his
colleague being dead； he left the command of the army to Manius
Aquilius； and hastened to Rome； where； several eminent persons being
candidates for the consulship； Lucius Saturninus； who more than any of
the other tribunes swayed the populace； and of whom Marius himself was
very observant； exerted his eloquence with the people； advising them
to choose Marius consul。 He playing the modest part； and professing to
decline the office； Saturninus called him traitor to his country if；
in such apparent danger； he would avoid command。 And though it was not
difficult to discover that he was merely helping Marius in putting
this pretence upon the people； yet； considering that the present
juncture much required his skill； and his good fortunes too； they
voted him the fourth time consul； and made Catulus Lutatius his
colleague； a man very much esteemed by the nobility and not
unagreeable to the commons。
Marius； having notice of the enemy's approach； with all expedition
passed the Alps； and pitching his camp by the river Rhone； took care
first for plentiful supplies of victuals： lest at any time he should
be forced to fight at a disadvantage for want of necessaries。 The
carriage of provision for the army from the sea； which was formerly
long and expensive； he made speedy and easy。 For the mouth； of the
Rhone； by the influx of the sea； being barred and almost filled up
with sand and mud mixed with clay； the passage there became narrow；
difficult； and dangerous for the ships that brought