1To this Jugurtha, although he understood that the king had spoken insincerely and he himself had something far different in mind, nevertheless replied graciously, as the occasion required. 2Micipsa dies a few days later. 2After they had performed his funeral rites magnificently in royal fashion, the princes met together to settle all their affairs among themselves. 3But Hiempsal, who was the youngest of them, fierce by nature and already before this contemptuous of Jugurtha's low birth, because he was not their equal on his mother's side, sat down on Adherbal's right, so that Jugurtha should not be in the middle of the three, which among the Numidians is held to be an honour.
4Then, however, worn down by his brother's urging to yield to age, he was with difficulty brought over to the other side. 5There, while they were discussing many matters concerning the administration of the kingdom, Jugurtha threw out among other things that all the resolutions and decrees of the last five years ought to be annulled, for during that time Micipsa, enfeebled by age, had been weak in mind. 6Then Hiempsal likewise replied that he agreed, for Jugurtha himself had come to the throne by adoption within the last three years. 7This remark sank deeper into Jugurtha's heart than anyone had supposed. 8And so from that time, troubled by anger and fear, he schemed, prepared and had in mind only those things by which Hiempsal might be caught by treachery.
9When these plans went forward too slowly and his fierce spirit was not softened, he decided to carry out his undertaking by any means whatever.