other
quaestor. After these experiences Sextius, who had secured some fresh
reinforcements, risked battle again, conquered the quaestor in his
turn, and shut up Laelius, who was overrunning the country, within his
fortifications. He deceived Cornificius, who came to the defence of his
colleague, making him believe that the latter had been captured, and
after thus throwing him into a state of dejection defeated him. So
Cornificius met his death in battle, and Laelius, who made a sally with
the intention of taking the enemy in the rear, was also slain.

[-22-] When this had been accomplished, Sextius occupied Africa and
governed both provinces without interference, until Caesar according to
the covenant made by him with Antony and Lepidus took possession of the
office and assigned Gaius Fuficius Fango to take charge of the people;
then the governor voluntarily gave up the provinces. When the battle with
Brutus and Cassius had been fought, Caesar and Antony redistributed the
world, Caesar taking Numidia for his share of Libya, and Antony Africa.
Lepidus, as I have stated,[43] had power among the three only in name,
and often was not recorded in the documents even to this extent. When,
therefore, this occurred Fulvia bade Sextius resume his rule of Africa.
He was at this time still in Libya, making the winter season his plea,
but in reality his lingering there was due to his certain knowledge that
there would be some kind of upheaval. As he could not persuade Fango to
give up the country, he associated himself with the natives, who detested
their ruler; he had done evil in his office, for he was one of that
mercenary force, many of whose members, as has been stated in my
narrative,[44] had been elected even into the senate. At this turn of
affairs Fango retired into Numidia, where he accorded harsh treatment to
the people of Cirta because they despised him on seeing his condition.
There was also one Arabio who was a prince among the barbarians dwelling
close at hand, who had first helped Laelius and later attached himself
to Sextius: him he ejected from his kingdom, when he refused to make
an alliance with him. Arabio fled to Sextius and Fango demanded his
surrender. When his request was refused, he grew angry, invaded Africa
and did some damage to the country: but Sextius took the field against
him, and he was defeated in conflicts that were slight but numerous;
consequently he retired again into Numidia. Sextius went afte