CHAPTER XVIII.
SECTION I.
FROM THE SEDITION OF GRACCHUS TO THE PERPETUAL DICTATORSHIP OF SYLLA, WHICH WAS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE RUIN OF THE COMMONWEALTH .-- U.C.
634.
By brutal Marius, and keen Sylla, first Effused the deluge dire of civil blood, Unceasing woes began .-- _Thomson_.
1.

While the Romans were in this state of deplorable corruption at home, they nevertheless were very successful in their transactions with foreign powers.
2.

Among other victories, a signal one was gained over Jugur'tha, king of Numid'ia.

He was grandson to Massinis'sa, who sided with Rome against Hannibal, and educated with the two young princes, who were left to inherit the kingdom.3.Being superior in abilities to both, and greatly in favour with the people, he murdered Hiemp'sal, the eldest son, but Adher'bal, the younger, escaped, and fled to the Romans for succour.4.

Jugur'tha, sensible how much avarice and injustice had crept into the senate, sent his ambassadors to Rome with large presents, which so successfully prevailed, that the senate decreed him half the kingdom thus acquired by murder and usurpation, and sent ten commissioners to divide it between him and Adher'bal.