A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

20. SP. POSTUMIUS SP. F. SP. N. ALBINUS, probably son of No. 19, was consul B. C. 110, and obtained the province of Numidia to carry on the war against Jugurtha. He made vigorous prepa rations for war, but when he reached the province, he did not adopt any active measures, but allowed himself to be deceived by the artifices of Jugurtha, who constantly promised to surrender. Many persons supposed that his inactivity was intentional, and that Jugurtha had bought him over. When Albinus departed from Africa, he left his brother Aulus in command. [See No. 21.] After the defeat of the latter he returned to Numidia, but in consequence of the disorganized state of his army, he did not prosecute the war, and handed over the army in this condition, in the following year, to the consul Metellus. (Sal. Jug. 35, 36, 39, 44; Oros. 4.15; Eutrop. 4.26.) He was condemned by the Mamilia Lex, which was passed to punish all those who had been guilty of treasonable practices with Jugurtha. (Cic. Brut. 34 comp. Sail. Jug. 40.)