1Jugurtha, after the loss of Thala, thinking nothing strong enough against Metellus, set out with a few men through vast wildernesses and came to the Gaetulians, a wild and uncivilised race of men, and at that time ignorant of the Roman name. 2He gathered a great number of them in one place and gradually accustomed them to keep their ranks, follow the standards, obey commands, and do the other things soldiers do. 3Besides this, with great gifts and greater promises he won the goodwill of the closest friends of King Bocchus, and with their help he approached the king and induced him to begin war against the Romans. 4This was easier and readier for the reason that Bocchus, at the beginning of this war, had sent envoys to Rome to seek a treaty and friendship, but a few men blinded by greed, whose habit it was to sell everything, honourable and dishonourable, had prevented a thing most advantageous for the war that had been begun.
6And even before this a daughter of Jugurtha had married Bocchus. 6But that tie is thought of little weight among the Numidians and Moors, because each of them has as many wives as he can afford, some ten, others more, and kings more still. 7Thus affection is divided by their number: none holds the place of a partner; all are equally cheap.