Chapter 2 Summary

Chapter 2 takes place in 109 B.C., one year after the beginning of chapter one. Metellus has been elected consul and has been given command of the war in Africa against Jugurtha. He asks Marius and Rufus to join his expedition to Africa, claiming that he has forgotten all about the harassment they subjected him to as a youth. Marius and Rufus agree to join him in making war against their friend and travel to Africa.

Before Marius leaves, however, Julia goes into labor with their first child. Gaius Julius Caesar, Julia's father, is present and is worried that Julia's noble blood will lead to complications with the birth. Indeed, there are complications with the birth and a great deal of bleeding but, in the end, the baby is delivered. Julia begins her recovery and Marius is able to see his son before he...