licet_, 'one may perceive,' or 'it is self-evident,' and is accordingly followed by the accusative with the infinitive. [31] 'The flame of their noble ambition did not become extinguished until their merit had obtained the fame and glory' (namely, of those ancestors). [32] _His moribus_, 'in the present state of morality;' an ablative absolute. [33] Instead of _neque_, the author might have used _aut_, for both particles are used to continue a negative statement. See Zumpt, S 337. [34] _Homines novi_, 'new men,' so called by the Romans, were those persons who were the first of their family to rise to curule offices, as Cato Censorius, and at a later time Cicero. In former times, Sallust says, such _homines novi_ distinguished themselves by their ability, while now they rise by base means, especially by party strife and party interest, which he contemptuously calls _latrocinium_. [35] _Proinde quasi_, 'just as if,' and afterwards _perinde habentur ut_, 'they are considered as of equal value.' Compare Zumpt, SS 282 and 340. 5. Bellum scripturus sum,[36] quod populus Romanus cum Jugurtha rege Numidarum gessit; primum quia magnum et atrox variaque victoria fuit, dein quia tunc primum superbiae nobilitatis obviam itum est; quae contentio divina et humana cuncta permiscuit eoque vecordiae processit, uti studiis civilibus bellum atque vastitas Italiae finem faceret. Sed priusquam hujuscemodi rei initium expedio, pauca supra repetam, quo ad cognoscendum omnia illustria magis magisque in aperto sint.[37] Bello Punico secundo, quo dux Carthaginiensium Hannibal post magnitudinem nominis Romani[38] Italiae opes maxime attriverat, Masinissa rex Numidarum, in amicitiam receptus a P. Scipione, cui postea Africano[39] cognomen ex virtute fuit, multa ei praeclara[40] rei militaris facinora fecerat; ob quae victis Carthaginiensibus et capto Syphace, cujus in Africa magnum atque late imperium valuit,[41] populus Romanus quascunque urbes et agros manu ceperat, regi dono dedit. Igitur amicitia Masinissae bona atque honesta nobis permansit. Sed imperii vitaeque ejus finis idem fuit. Dein Micipsa filius regnum solus obtinuit, Mastanabale et Gulussa fratribus morbo absumptis. Is Adherbalem et Hiempsalem ex sese genuit, Jugurthamque, filium Mastanabalis fratris, quem Masinissa, quod ortus ex concubina erat, privatum dereliquerat,[42] eodem cultu quo liberos suos domi habuit.