1Meanwhile at Rome Gaius Mamilius Limetanus, tribune of the plebs, published a bill before the people that an inquiry should be held into those on whose advice Jugurtha had disregarded the decrees of the senate, those who had taken money from him on embassies or in commands, those who had handed over elephants and deserters, and likewise those who had made agreements with the enemy about peace or war. 2Against this bill some, conscious of their guilt, others fearing danger from the hatred of the parties, since they could not resist it openly without admitting that these and similar acts pleased them, secretly prepared obstacles through their friends, and above all through men of the Latin name and the Italian allies.
3But it is incredible to relate how determined the plebs was and with what force it passed the bill, more from hatred of the nobility, against whom those troubles were being prepared, than from concern for the state: so great was the passion of party. 4So, while the rest were struck with fear, Marcus Scaurus, who we have shown above had been Bestia's legate, amid the rejoicing of the plebs and the flight of his own party, while the city was still in alarm, when three commissioners were being appointed under the Mamilian bill, had managed to have himself elected among their number. 5But the inquiry was conducted harshly and violently, on hearsay and at the caprice of the plebs: as success had often made the nobility insolent, so at that time it had made the plebs.