Bellum Iugurthinum 23

1When Jugurtha thought they had left Africa, and since because of the nature of the place he could not take Cirta by assault, he surrounded the walls with a rampart and ditch, built towers and strengthened them with garrisons; 1besides this, day and night he made attempts either by force or by trickery; 1to the defenders of the walls he held out now rewards, now terror; 1he roused his own men to valour by encouraging them; 1in short, he was intent on preparing everything. 2When Adherbal realised that all his fortunes were in the last extremity, that the enemy was relentless, that there was no hope of help, and that through lack of necessities the war could not be prolonged, he chose two of the most energetic of those who had fled with him to Cirta; 2by many promises and by lamenting his plight he emboldened them to make their way by night through the enemy's siege works to the nearest coast, and then to Rome.