to
himself and his kingdom, than all the troops and treasures in the
universe. His speech was of a great length, and extremely pathetic.
Jugurtha's deputies made only the following answer: that Hiempsal had been
killed by the Numidians, because of his great cruelty; that Adherbal was
the aggressor, and yet, after having been vanquished, was come to make
complaints, because he had not committed all the excesses he desired; that
their sovereign entreated the senate to form a judgment of his behaviour
and conduct in Africa, from that he had shown at Numantia; and to lay a
greater stress on his actions, than on the accusations of his enemies. But
these ambassadors had secretly employed an eloquence much more prevalent
than that of words, which had not proved ineffectual. The whole assembly
was for Jugurtha, a few senators excepted, who were not so void of honour
as to be corrupted by money. The senate came to this resolution, that
commissioners should be sent from Rome, to divide the provinces equally
upon the spot between the two brothers. The reader will naturally suppose,
that Jugurtha was not sparing of his treasure on this occasion; the
division was made to his advantage; and yet a specious appearance of
equity was preserved.

This first success of Jugurtha augmented his courage, and increased his
boldness. Accordingly, he attacked his brother by open force; and whilst
the latter loses his time in sending deputations to the Romans, he storms
several fortresses, carries on his conquests; and, after defeating
Adherbal, besieges him in Cirtha, the capital of his kingdom. During this
interval ambassadors arrived from Rome, with orders, in the name of the
senate and people, to the two kings, to lay down their arms, and cease all
hostilities. Jugurtha, after protesting that he would obey, with the most
profound reverence and submission, the commands of the Roman people,
added, that he did not believe it was their intention to hinder him from
defending his own life against the treacherous snares which his brother
had laid for it. He concluded with saying, that he would send ambassadors
forthwith to Rome, to inform the senate of his conduct. By this vague
answer he eluded their orders, and would not even permit the deputies to
wait upon Adherbal.

Though the latter was so closely blocked up in his capital, he yet(942)
found means to send to Rome, to implore the assistance of the Romans
against his brother, who had besieged hi