Exurperantius: IULII EXUPERANTII OPUSCULUM

[1] Cum Lucius Metellus proconsul contra Iugurtham in Numidiam exercitum duceret, Marium ex gregariis militibus genere ignobilem, sed virtute praestantem, secum habuit.

[1] When Lucius Metellus, proconsul, was leading an army into Numidia against Jugurtha, he had with him Marius, sprung from the common soldiery, of ignoble birth but preeminent in virtue.

[2] Quem cum militibus quaestorem fecisset, ita se factis fortibus promiserat, ut hostibus terrori, Romano imperatori carus esset.

[2] When he had appointed him quaestor among the soldiers, he had so distinguished himself by brave deeds that he was a terror to the enemies and dear to the Roman imperator.

[3] Sed victimas immolanti numinibus, in oppido Numidarum cui nomen est Utica, Haruspices magna quaedam impendere Mario responderunt: atque hortati sunt ut quae vellet auderet, peteretque celsiora natalibus meritisque maiora; siquidem cuncta videbatur favor spondere fortunae.

[3] But to him sacrificing victims to the divinities, in a town of the Numidians called Utica, the haruspices answered that great things were impending for Marius: and they urged him that he should dare whatever he wished, and seek loftier and greater things than his birth and merits; for indeed favor seemed to promise all things to his fortune.

[4] Tunc capiendi consulatus invasit magna cupiditas, ad quem petendum, paratis suffragiis, relicta provincia Romam venit:

[4] Then a great eagerness to obtain the consulship seized him; to seek it, with suffrages prepared, he came to Rome, the province having been left behind:

[5] ibique de Metelli rebus loquendo corruptius ac suam extollendo virtutem, effecit animos vulgi cupidos novitatis, in suum excitando favorem adiuvantibus tribunis plebis.

[5] and there, speaking more corruptly about Metellus’ affairs and extolling his own virtue, he made the minds of the populace eager for novelty, exciting them into his favour with the tribunes of the plebs assisting.

[6] Nam eo tempore, inter patres et populum studio dominationis erant excitata certamina. Ita factum est ut, quasi in perniciem nobilitatis quam lacerabat iniuriis, Marius novis extolleretur honoribus.

[6] For at that time, between the patres and the populus, contests stirred up by a zeal for domination had arisen. Thus it came to pass that, as if to the ruin of the nobility which he was lacerating with outrages, Marius was exalted with new honors.

[7] Itaque comitiis consularibus, universus populus, qui ad eligendum convenerat, Marium consulem iussit; et erepta Metello provincia, in Numidiam missus est.

[7] Therefore at the consular comitia the whole people who had assembled to elect ordered Marius to be consul; and, the province having been wrested from Metellus, he was sent into Numidia.

[8] Sed is accepto consulatu quasi spolium victoriae superatis patribus ostentabat, aperteque se eorum potentiae profitebatur adversum.

[8] But he, having taken the consulship, like a spoil of victory displayed himself over the vanquished fathers, and openly professed himself opposed to their potency.

[9] Sed cum militem novum scriberet, primum omnium, capite censos cives, infidos atque inutiles duxit ad bellum; ut hac ratione, cum publico detrimento, populo gratiam redderet a quo speratos honores acceperat.

[9] But when he was enrolling a new soldiery, first of all he led to war those citizens counted by head, unfaithful and useless; so that in this way, with public detriment, he might return a favor to the people from whom he had received the honors he had hoped for.

[10] Nam populus Romanus per classes divisus erat, et pro patrimonii facultate censebatur.

[10] For the Roman people had been divided into classes, and were assessed according to the capacity of their patrimony.

[11] Et hi, omnes quibus res erant, ad militiam ducebantur. Diligenter enim pro victoria laborabant, qui cum libertate bona patria defendebant.

[11] And these, all whose affairs were at stake, were led into the military service. For they labored diligently for victory, since they defended, with freedom, the good of the fatherland.

[12] Illi autem quibus nullae opes erant, caput suum quod solum possidebant, censebantur, et belli tempore in moenibus residebant. Facile enim poterant existere proditores: quia egestas haud facile habetur sine damno.

[12] But those who had no opes were assessed by their head, which alone they possessed, and in time of war they remained dwelling within the walls. For they could easily become traitors: because need is not easily borne without loss.

[13] Hos igitur Marins , quibus non fierat respublica committenda, duxit ad bellum.

[13] Therefore Marins led these, to whom the respublica ought not to be entrusted, to war.

[14] Sed forte L. Sullam legatum, unum de nobilibus, in provinciam duxit; atque ibi confecto feliciter bello et Iugurtha capto, ad urbem rediere victores, atque statim virtute cognita, Marius in Galliam missus, quae tunc Romanos fines hostili incursione vexabat.

[14] But by chance he led L. Sulla, a legate, one of the nobles, into the province; and there, the war happily finished and Jugurtha captured, they returned to the city as victors, and straightaway, his virtue being acknowledged, Marius was sent into Gaul, which at that time was vexing the Roman frontiers with a hostile incursion.

[15] Eodem tempore Mithridates, cum magnis copiis, universam Asiam urbesque sociorum expugnando atque vastando coepit affligere.

[15] At the same time Mithridates, with great forces, began to afflict all Asia and the cities of the allies by expugnando (capturing) and vastando (devastating) them.

[16] Ad quem coercendum L. Sulla est cum exercitu destinatus, cuius in Africano bello probata erat corporis atque animi magnitudo.

[16] To restrain him, L. Sulla was appointed with an army, whose greatness of body and of mind had been proven in the African war.

[17] Hoc ubi Mario compertum est, terminare quod gerebat proelium festinavit; et homo infinitae cupidus gloriae, non patiebatur libertatem dignitatemque Romanam alterius virtute defendi. Contusis igitur Gallis, vastataque natione penitus barbarorum, Romam iterum victor intravit.

[17] When Marius learned this, he hurried to terminate the battle which he was waging; and the man, greedy of boundless glory, would not suffer Roman liberty and dignity to be defended by another’s virtue. Thus, with the Gauls routed and the nation of the barbarians utterly laid waste, he entered Rome again as victor.

[18] Itaque instinctu eius Sulpicius tribunus plebis legem tulit ut auferretur Sullae provincia ac Mario daretur.

[18] And so, at his instigation, Sulpicius, tribune of the plebs, carried a law that Sulla’s province should be taken away and given to Marius.

[19] Hoc Sullae ubi nuntiatum est, Murenam legatum suum provinciae Valerianisque praefecit militibus quos infidos bellis existimabat esse civilibus; et cum parte exercitus, iniuriae dolore commotus, ad extinguendam Marianam venit factionem.

[19] When this was reported to Sulla, he appointed Murena his legate to the province and placed Valerianus over the soldiers, whom he judged to be untrustworthy in wars but serviceable in civil affairs; and with part of the army, moved by the pain of the affront, he came to put down the Marian faction.

[20] Statim ut Romam venit, resistentem sibi Sulpicium et seditiosis contionibus rem publicam disturbantem, cum multis quos sibi socios adsciverat, trucidavit: atque Marium ipsum machinatorem tantae contumeliae, in exsilium impetu detrusit armorum:

[20] Immediately when he came to Rome, he slew Sulpicius, opposing him and disturbing the res publica with seditious assemblies, together with many whom he had enrolled as his associates; and he thrust Marius himself, the machinator of so great a contumely, by an onrush of arms into exile:

[21] atque ille quotiens victor, per Gallorum atque Afrorum rura quae ipse vastaverat, naufragus atque egenus erravit.

[21] and he, as often as victorious, wandered shipwrecked and penniless through the countrysides of the Gauls and Africans which he himself had laid waste.

[22] Dum haec aguntur, Cinna et Octavius facti sunt consules: quorum Cinna de partibus Marianis fuit.

[22] While these things were going on, Cinna and Octavius were made consuls: of whom Cinna belonged to the Marian party.

[23] Hic legem tulit ut novi cives, qui aliqua ratione Romanam acceperant civitatem, cum veteribus, nulla discretione suffragium ferrent.

[23] He enacted a law that new citizens, who by some means had received the Roman citizenship, should cast their suffrage with the old, without any distinction.

[24] Hoc videlicet in eorum gratiam faciebat qui Marium suis suffragiis extulerant, et amplissimis honoribus decorarant. Sed haec lex iniuriosa erat in veteres cives qui meritum dignitatis videbantur amittere, si cum novis indignis in ferendo suffragio iungerentur.

[24] This, plainly, he did for the favor of those who had raised Marius by their votes and had adorned him with very ample honors. But this law was injurious to the old citizens, who seemed to lose the merit of their dignity if they were joined with new unworthy men in bearing the suffrage.

[25] Ob hoc itaque Octavius conlega commotus, ut seditionibus privaretur, collegam suum Cinnam, adnitentibus veteribus civibus, in exsilium misit armatus, munitus videlicet copiis Sullae.

[25] Therefore Octavius, the colleague, stirred up so that he might be deprived by seditions, sent his fellow Cinna into exile armed, evidently fortified with the forces of Sulla and with the old citizens lending their support.

[26] Quae cum agerentur, maximus ex utrisque partibus civium numerus interemptus est.

[26] While these matters were being carried out, a very great number of citizens from both sides was cut down.

[27] Expulsus igitur Cinna cum vagaretur, ad Africam ubi Marius inops erat forte pervenit, atque ibi communicato consilio, sollicitatis animis perditorum et de ergastulis erutis servis, exercitum confecerunt; et armata validissima manu iuventutis ad urbem venerunt, atque Octavium Sullae satellitem superatum necaverunt. [28 ]Tunc varia crudelitas pervagata est, ut nobilitas omnis ad fugitivorum trucidaretur arbitrium: atque eo immanis saevitia Cinnae fuit, ut nec illis parceret quorum opera erat victor effectus.

[27] Therefore Cinna, having been expelled, when he wandered, by chance reached Africa where Marius was poor; and there, with a plan shared, with the minds of the ruined stirred and with slaves torn from the ergastula, they made an army; and with a very strongly armed band of youth they came to the city, and slew Octavius, Sulla’s satellite, after overpowering him. [28 ]Then diverse cruelty spread abroad, so that the whole nobility was at the mercy of the fugitives to be slaughtered: and so monstrous was Cinna’s savagery that he spared not even those by whose deeds he had been made victor.

[29] Et cum hac insolentia in omnis communiter baccharetur, cum haberet contiones, a militibus suis occisus est.

[29] And when he caroused in this insolence commonly among all, and held assemblies, he was killed by his own soldiers.

[30] Tum Marius, ne sine socio dominatum sustinere non posset in locum Cinnae Carbonem sibi in septimo consulatu conlegam subrogavit.

[30] Then Marius, lest he could not sustain the dominion without a partner, appointed Carbo in place of Cinna as a colleague to himself in his 7th consulship.

[31] Tum Sulla, tanta indignatione commotus, contra Marium atque Carbonem exercitum duxit; et inter se ferali certamine Romani exercitus conflixere. In quo bello superatus est Marius.

[31] Then Sulla, stirred by so great indignation, led an army against Marius and Carbo; and the Roman armies clashed with one another in a feral contest. In that war Marius was overcome.

[32] Tum vero Sulla victor, quidquid in urbe remanserat, crudeliter persecutus est, et rempublicam vindicatam non reddidit legibus, sed ipse possedit : ac se talem praebuit, ut Cinnana ac Mariana, quod ultum erat, dominatio quaereretur.

[32] Then indeed Sulla, victorious, cruelly pursued whatever had remained in the city, and he did not restore the republic, vindicated, to the laws, but himself possessed it: and he showed himself such that a Cinnan and Marian domination, which had been avenged, was sought.

[33] Hinc Sallustius: "Bonis initiis malos eventus habuit. Nam fuerunt bona principia quod oppressam voluit civium defendere libertatem; mali eventus, quod superatis dominis et ducibus saevis, gravius ipse civitatem quassavit qui se publicae calamitatis fore promiserat defensorem.

[33] Hence Sallust: "Good beginnings had bad events. For the principles were good, because he wished to defend the liberty of oppressed citizens; the events were bad, because, with the masters and cruel leaders overcome, he himself—who had promised to be the defender of the public calamity—shook the state more grievously."

[34] Hic cum teneret imperium, multas leges ac iura praescripsit; multas civitatibus immunitates vectigalium dedit, multos Romana civitate donavit.

[34] While he held the imperium here, he prescribed many laws and rights; he granted many cities immunities from tributes, and bestowed Roman citizenship on many.

[35] Huius acta dum conatur Lepidus in suo consulatu subvertere, contra collegam Catulum proelium civile gessit et victus est.

[35] While Lepidus strove to overturn his acts in his consulship, he waged a civil battle against his colleague Catulus and was defeated.

[36] Nam congregatis his in quorum possessiones novos colonos de suis militibus Sulla victor immisit, ac sibi coniunctis liberis proscriptorum, ingentem congregavit exercitum; pollicendo, si vicissent, se bona patria restituturum.

[36] For, these men having been gathered, into whose possessions Sulla the victor sent new colonists from his own soldiers, and with the children of the proscribed joined to him, he assembled a huge army; promising that, if they prevailed, he would restore the goods to the fatherland.

[37] Plebi quoque multis muneribus, publice privatimque largitus , carus videbatur, ac publicae libertatis assertor.

[37] To the people also, having bestowed many gifts publicly and privately, he seemed dear, and an assertor (defender) of public liberty.

[38] Sed in Etruri litore commisso proelio, coeperat Lepidus esse superior, per armatam multitudinem quae, odio rerum Sullanarum, se Lepidi partibus applicarat.

[38] But when on the Etrurian shore a battle was joined, Lepidus began to be superior, by an armed multitude which, hating the Sullan affairs, had attached itself to Lepidus’ party.

[39] Sed Pompeius, de Gallia rediens, non passus est Lepidi audaciam cum publicis detrimentis impune bacchari. Nam fugientes eius copias ac se implicantes festinatione formidinis ita prostravit, ut maiore numero privatus in Sardiniam confugeret; ut impedito commeatu, populum Romanum fatigaret inopia, ac suas vires armis, copiisque et omni instrumento reficeret. 4

[39] But Pompey, returning from Gaul, did not permit Lepidus’ audacity to revel with public losses unpunished. For he routed his fleeing forces and those who, entangling themselves in the haste of fear, were thrown down so completely that Lepidus, with a greater number reduced to private condition, fled for refuge to Sardinia; and there, with supplies impeded, he wearied the Roman people with scarcity, and refitted his forces with arms, troops, and every equipment. 4

[0] Atque ibi cum Triario propraetore, variis proeliis gravibusque conflixit. Nam sollertissime tutando provinciam, effecit ut Lepidi consilia vana forent.

[0] And there, with Triarius the propraetor, he engaged in various and grievous battles. For by most shrewdly defending the province he brought it about that Lepidus’s counsels should be vain.

[41] Undique enim prohibitus et munitionibus a civitatium expugnatione depulsus nequivit cogitata perficere. Ac dum multa parat, morbo gravi oppressus et mortuus est.

[41] For prevented on every side and, driven back from the expugnation of the towns by their fortifications, he could not accomplish his planned undertakings. And while he prepared many things, he was struck down by a severe disease and died.

[42] Cuius socius et administer Perpenna, ob delictum tanti facinoris supplicium timens, ex Sardinia in Hispaniam transvectus est, ac se Sertorio sociavit, qui tum Romanis armis quassabat imperium.

[42] His companion and steward Perpenna, fearing punishment for the offense of so great a crime, was conveyed from Sardinia into Hispania, and allied himself to Sertorius, who then with Roman arms was shaking the empire.

[43] Nam hic Sertorius de Marii partibus fuit. Nam Norbano et Scipione consulibus, cum ex Asia Sulla contra Marium atque factionem veniret infestus, timens senatus iram, ne malo publico certamina inter duces orirentur, statuit ut curarent consules ne respublica acciperet detrimentum.

[43] For this Sertorius was of Marius’ party. For with Norbanus and Scipio as consuls, when Sulla was coming from Asia hostile against Marius and the faction, the Senate, fearing his wrath, and lest contests between leaders arise to the public harm, resolved that the consuls should see to it that the republic suffer no detriment.

[44] Hoc itaque senatus consulto excitati consules, contra venientem Sullam atque omnibus exitium minitantem, praesidia sibi cuiusque generis parare coeperunt, et duces idoneos ad quorum industriam pertineret cura bellorum; in quis elegere Sertorium.

[44] Therefore, stirred up by this senatorial decree, the consuls began to prepare for themselves garrisons of every kind against Sulla coming and threatening ruin to all, and suitable commanders to whose industry the care of wars would pertain; among whom they chose Sertorius.

[45] Parato validissimo exercitu processere; et vetante Sertorio, colloquia consules permiserunt inter suum et Sullae exercitum, et facta proditio est omnisque exercitus Sullae traditur.

[45] With a most powerful army prepared they advanced; and with Sertorius forbidding, the consuls allowed parleys between their own and Sulla’s army, and a betrayal was effected and the whole army of Sulla delivered over.

[46] Tunc Sertorius destitutus, atque omni copiarum nudatus auxilio, in Etruriam confugit, iram metuens Sullae, ne exigeret gravem quasi de superato hoste vindictam.

[46] Then Sertorius, abandoned and stripped naked of all his forces and aid, fled to Etruria, fearing the anger of Sulla, lest he should exact a heavy vengeance, as from an overthrown enemy.

[47] Erat autem Etruria fidissima partibus Marianis, quia ab ipsis Romanam, quam antea non habebant, acceperant civitatem. Timentes igitur Etrusci, ne beneficium tantae dignitatis, a Marianis acceptum, Sulla revocaret, si adversae partes essent amputatae penitus, ad Sertorium se atque alios eiusdem factionis duces applicarunt, omnia quae imperarent, sine recusatione promittentes esse facturos.

[47] Etruria, moreover, was most faithful to the Marian party, because from those same men they had received Roman citizenship, which formerly they did not have. Therefore the Etruscans, fearing that Sulla would revoke the favor of so great a dignity received from the Marians if the adverse parts were utterly cut off, attached themselves to Sertorius and to other leaders of that same faction, promising without refusal that they would do all things which he should command.

[48] Itaque factum est ut rursus firmissimus XL cohortium comportaretur exercitus. Nam et multi milites qui se venienti Sullae tradiderant, frustrata spe pactionis, ad priorum ducum castra reverterunt, quae ante prodiderant.

[48] And so it came about that again an army most firm of 40 cohorts was brought together. For many soldiers who had surrendered themselves to the coming Sulla, having their hope of agreement frustrated, returned to the camps of the former leaders which they had previously betrayed.

[49] Inter haec, facti sunt Marius septies et Carbo consules. Tunc Sertorius, de Marii potestate securus, Romam venit et omnium coepit accusare segnitiem, et ex multis promptissimis factis Sullae industriam virtutemque laudare, cui nisi obviam iretur, actum iam ac debellatum foret.

[49] Meanwhile, Marius and Carbo were made consuls seven times. Then Sertorius, secure from Marius’ power, came to Rome and began to accuse everyone of sluggishness, and from many very conspicuous deeds to praise Sulla’s industry and virtue—whom, unless opposed, the business would already have been carried through and crushed.

[50] Tum consules principesque alii factionis, tanto verborum pondere castigati, sive ut aemulum ac vehementem negligentiae correctorem ab oculis removerent, sive ut feroci provinciae, cuius infidelitatem timerent, idoneum praeponerent ducem, misere in Citeriorem Hispaniam, eique mandatum est, ut transiens res in Gallia Transalpina componeret.

[50] Then the consuls and other leaders of the faction, chastised by so great a weight of words, whether so that they might remove from sight a rival and vehement corrector of negligence, or so that they might set over a ferocious province, whose faithlessness they feared, a suitable commander, miserably sent him into Nearer Spain, and it was commanded to him that, passing through, he should settle affairs in Transalpine Gaul.

[51] Sed ubi in provinciam venit, ita strenue sociorum animos, iam deficientes atque alia cupientes, in favorem partium suarum, modeste tuendo ac blandiendo perduxit, ut et carus esset et tamen ab omnibus timeretur.

[51] But when he came into the province, he so strenuously led the spirits of the allies, already failing and desiring other things, into the favor of his own party by modestly defending and cajoling them, that he was both dear and yet feared by all.

[52] Sed in urbe Sulla et Marius conflixere atque in ipso certamine Marius interemptus est; Carbo perditis rebus aufugit.

[52] But in the city Sulla and Marius clashed, and in the very struggle Marius was slain; Carbo, his affairs ruined, fled away.

[53] Tum Sertorius commissis atque deletis partibus quas sequebatur, optimum consilium credens exercitum non dimittere, ne nudatus supplicia victoribus penderet, collecta Hispaniae multitudine contra Romanum exercitum statuit dimicare.

[53] Then Sertorius, the factions which had engaged and been destroyed that followed him considered, deeming it the best counsel not to dismiss his army—lest, stripped, he should be exposed to the victors’ punishments—having gathered the multitude of Spain, resolved to do battle against the Roman army.

[54] Mortuoque itaque Sulla, hostem se publicum aperte professus est. Ad quem expugnandum missi sunt Metellus atque Pompeius, qui eum gravibus atque assiduis pugnis afflixere.

[54] And when Sulla therefore had died, he openly professed himself a public enemy. Against him were sent Metellus and Pompeius, who harassed him with heavy and unremitting battles.

[55] Qui tamen difficile vinceretur, nisi per coniurationem in convivio a suis esset occisus.

[55] Who, however, would have been difficult to overcome, if he had not been killed by his own men in a conspiracy at a banquet.

[56] Postea Pompeius Perpennam subegit; Auxummen, Cluniam, Calagurrim civitates delevit, et factis in Pyrenaeo trophaeis, Romam regressus est.

[56] Afterwards Pompey subdued Perpenna; he razed the cities Auxumen, Clunia, and Calagurris, and, with trophies set up on the Pyrenees, returned to Rome.