THE COUNTERFEIT AFRICAN

Roman history modernized in an adventure story -- streamlined -- of North Africa and the fight for democracy under Marius, the commoner Roman general, against Jugurtha. Marius inherited an undemocratic organisation and wanted to change it to a citizen army. Felix, a young commoner, is involved in the conspiracy to overthrow Marius, he is accused of the murder of his best friend, flees to the mountains, is befriended by the daughter of a native chieftain, becomes a spy, tricks Jugurtha into doing battle with the Romans -- and wins on all counts. Adequate adventure, with stage set accurately portrayed, but with a certain incongruity in characters, language and situations.