1After the treaty of Aulus and the shameful flight of our army, Metellus and Silanus, the consuls elect, had divided the provinces between them. 1And Numidia had fallen to Metellus, a vigorous man and, although opposed to the party of the people, still of an even and unblemished reputation. 2As soon as he entered office, thinking that all other matters were shared with his colleague, he turned his mind to the war which he was about to wage. 3So, distrusting the old army, he enrolled soldiers, summoned auxiliaries from every side, and got ready arms, missiles, horses and the rest of the equipment of war, provisions besides in abundance, and in short everything which is usually of use in a war full of variety and in need of many things.
4Moreover, in accomplishing these things the senate lent its support by its authority, the allies, the Latin name and the kings by sending help of their own accord, and finally the whole citizen body with the greatest zeal. 5So, when everything had been prepared and arranged to his liking, he set out for Numidia, amid the great hopes of the citizens, both because of his good qualities and above all because he bore a spirit unconquered by riches, and because through the greed of magistrates before that time our strength in Numidia had been crushed and the enemy's increased.