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 another twenty years.
He went, however, and was elected in 107, being the first plebeian chosen to that office for more than a century.
Metellus was recalled, enjoyed a triumph, and received the agnomen of NUMIDICUS.
Marius was every inch a soldier.

He saw that the Roman legions must be reorganized and better disciplined.