[341] His dismissal from the post of legate. If he had wished to return to the service, he would have asked _commeatum_, 'leave of absence.' He was confident that in his canvass for the consulship he would be successful. [342] _Superabant_; that is, _supererant, abunde erant_. Metellus had all the other qualifications in a great degree, but at the same time he had a haughty contempt for all who were not nobly born. [343] 'He would grant him his dismissal as soon as he could do so consistently with the duties he owed to the republic.' [344] _Contubernio patris_ for _in contubernio patris_, as _contubernalis_ of the commander-in-chief. It was the custom for young Roman nobles to perform their first military service as equites in the suite, and as attaches (adjutants) to a general, whereas other less favoured Romans served _in ordine_; that is, enlisted in some detachment of cavalry or infantry. [345] _Pro_, 'in regard to,' 'in consideration of.' [346] _Grassari_, 'to go on,' 'proceed;' but at the same time contains the idea of excitement or vehemence. [347] _Ambitio_, 'courting favour;' _ambitiosum_, something the object or consequence of which is to gain favour; hence 'winning,' 'captivating.' [348] _Inanis_, 'empty.' Of persons, signifies a man devoid of substance, one who has only the appearance of something, and is satisfied with it; hence 'vain,' 'superficial.' _Vanus_ also is used in the same sense. _Regia superbia_. See chap. 31. 65. Erat praeterea in exercitu nostro Numida quidam, nomine Gauda, Mastanabalis filius, Masinissae nepos, quem Micipsa testamento secundum heredem[349] scripserat, morbis confectus et ob eam causam mente paulum imminuta. Cui Metellus petenti more regum ut sellam juxta poneret, item postea custodiae causa turmam equitum Romanorum, utrumque negaverat, honorem, quod eorum modo foret, quos populus Romanus reges appellavisset, praesidium, quod contumeliosum in eos[350] foret, si equites Romani satellites Numidae traderentur. Hunc Marius anxium aggreditur atque hortatur, ut contumeliarum imperatori[351] cum suo auxilio poenas petat; hominem ob morbos animo parum valido secunda oratione extollit: illum regem, ingentem virum, Masinissae nepotem esse; si Jugurtha captus aut occisus foret, imperium Numidiae sine mora habiturum; id adeo[352] mature posse evenire, si ipse consul ad id bellum missus foret. Itaque et illum et equites Romanes, milites et negotiatores[353] alios ipse, plerosque pacis spes impellit, uti Romam ad suos necessarios aspere in Metellum de bello scribant, Marium imperatorem poscant. Sic illi a multis mortalibus honestissima suffragatione[354] consulatus petebatur; simul ea tempestate plebes, nobilitate fusa per legem Mamiliam,[355] novos extollebat. Ita Mario cuncta procedere.