Jugurtha attacked Adherbal, besieged him in Cirta, and put him to death,
contrary to the express commands of the senate. [Y. R. 641. B. C. 111.]
War was declared against him on this account, which being committed to
the conduct of the consul, Calpurnius Bestia, he made peace with
Jugurtha, without authority from the senate and people. [Y. R. 642. B.
C. 110.] Jugurtha, called upon to declare who were his advisers, came to
Rome upon the faith of a safe-conduct; he is supposed to have bribed
many of the principal senators. And being called on to stand his trial
for the murder of a certain prince, by name Massiva, slain at Rome, who
had aimed at his kingdom, which he hoped to obtain through the hatred of
the Romans to Jugurtha, he escaped when he found himself in danger; and
is reported to have said, on going away, “O venal city! doomed to quick
perdition, could but a purchaser be found!” Aulus Posthumius, having
fought against Jugurtha unsuccessfully, added to his disgrace, by making
an ignominious peace with him; which the senate refused to ratify.