The Roman forces are again unable to…

The Roman forces are again unable to subdue Jugurtha, despite Metellus’s policy of laying waste to the Numidian countryside.

An internal Roman struggle develops between Metellus and his subordinate commander (legate), Gaius Marius.

Metellus permits Marius to return to Rome and Marius is elected consul in 107 BCE.

Metellus is fully aware of Marius' ambitions in Roman politics and refuses for days to allow him to sail to Rome and stand for the consulship.

Metellus is, however, unaware that Marius wants his command in Numidia.

Numidia is not an area designated to be protected by consul by the Roman Senate.

However, the populares pass a law in its Tribal Assembly, which gives the command against Jugurtha to Marius in 107 BCE.

This is significant because the Assembly has usurped the Senate's rights and powers in this matter and the Senate has yielded.