1But Jugurtha, receiving the news against his expectation, since the idea that everything at Rome was for sale had stuck fast in his mind, sent his son and with him two close friends as envoys to the senate, and instructed them, as he had those he had sent after Hiempsal was killed, to assail everyone with money. 2As they were approaching Rome, Bestia consulted the senate as to whether Jugurtha's envoys should be received within the walls, and the senators decreed that, unless they had come to surrender the kingdom and the king himself, they must leave Italy within the next ten days. 3The consul ordered the Numidians to be told of the senate's decree.
3So they went home with their business unaccomplished. 4Meanwhile Calpurnius, having made his army ready, chose as his officers men of noble birth and of party spirit, by whose authority he hoped that whatever wrongs he committed would be protected. 4Among them was Scaurus, of whose character and habits we have spoken above. 5For in our consul there were many good qualities of both mind and body, all of which avarice hampered: he was patient of toil, of a keen intellect, sufficiently far-sighted, by no means ignorant of war, and very steadfast against dangers and plots. 6But the legions were conveyed through Italy to Rhegium and from there to Sicily, and then from Sicily to Africa.
7So Calpurnius, having first got his supplies ready, entered Numidia vigorously, and by fighting took many people and a number of cities.