found!"

War was now begun in earnest (110), but resulted in a crushing defeat
of the Romans, whose army was sent under the yoke. Humiliated by the
defeat, the Senate in the following year sent QUINTUS CAECILIUS
METELLUS, nephew of Metellus Macedonicus, to take charge of the war.
He was a man of integrity, with some experience as an officer, and a
rigid aristocrat. Realizing the danger of failure, he took with him as
his lieutenant the ablest soldier that he could find, GAIUS MARIUS.

Marius, born at Arpínum in 157, was the son of a farmer, and was
himself bred to the plough. He joined the army at an early age, and
soon attracted notice for his punctual performance of all duties, and
his strictness in discipline. He was present at the siege of Numantia,
and his courage caused Scipio to predict for him a brilliant career.
He soon rose to be Military Tribune. In 119 he was chosen Tribune of
the People, and two years later Praetor. The fact that he was
respected and valued in high circles is shown by his subsequent
marriage into the family of the Caesars. By this marriage with Julia,
the aunt of Julius Caesar, he became a person of social distinction.

The campaign was moderately successful. Jugurtha was defeated near the
river Muthul, and made to retire into the desert, where his
stronghold, Thala, was captured. He sued for peace, but, as
unconditional surrender was demanded, he still held out. The popular
party at Rome, irritated that such a petty prince should give so much
trouble, demanded that Marius should be made Consul and have charge of
the war. When the lieutenant asked Metellus for leave of absence to
enable him to be present at the elections, as was necessary according
to the law, his general ridiculed the idea, and told him to wait