Jugurtha sent home a great part of his troops after the battle, and restricted himself to a guerilla warfare, which he likewise managed with skill.
Numidia Occupied by the Romans The two Roman columns, the one led by Metellus, the other by Marius-- who, although by birth and rank the humblest, occupied since the battle on the Muthul the first place among the chiefs of the staff-- traversed the Numidian territory, occupied the towns, and, when any place did not readily open its gates, put to death the adult male population.

But the most considerable among the eastern inland towns, Zama, opposed to the Romans a serious resistance, which the king energetically supported.

He was even successful in surprising the Roman camp; and the Romans found themselves at last compelled to abandon the siege and to go into winter quarters.

For the sake of more easily provisioning his army Metellus, leaving behind garrisons in the conquered towns, transferred it into the Roman province, and employed the opportunity of suspended hostilities to institute fresh negotiations, showing a disposition to grant to the king a peace on tolerable terms.

Jugurtha readily entered into them; he had at once bound himself to pay 200,000 pounds of silver, and had even delivered up his elephants and 300 hostages, as well as 3000 Roman deserters, who were immediately put to death.