“Jugurtha”
He ruled from Africa, circa 118-104 BC.
We have to go by what his foes wrote about him,
Much later, after he was dead.
(Mostly, we have Sallust’s word to take.)
He fought Rome, but why?
We have guesses, mostly.
(What else is there?)
Too bad his real story is lost.
Metellus tried to defeat him
By bribery or the suggested treachery of allies.
Marius built forts.
Lots of forts.
Marius also brought troops.
Lots of troops.
Lots of fresh troops, poor troops.
Too excessive to be fought well.
But it was treachery after all.
Bocchus (whoever that was) betrayed
Jugurtha to Sulla.
Sulla got a triumph;
Rome would fear the loom of dictatorship.
Jugurtha’s last laugh?
How desperate am I to repost this awful piece?
Also, was that supposed to say “taught” well or “fought” well? Seems hard to make that mistake, but…ugh. I forgot much over the last two years it would seem.
First posted 08/31/15
