King John and Jugurtha

While reading Sallust's 'Bellum Iugurthinum', I am struck at how similar England's king John and Jugurtha often seem to be. Take for instance this passage:

"To these words [of Nabdalsa, Numidian chieftain suspected of treason], the king made a courteous reply, disguising his real feelings. After putting to death Bomilcar and many others whom he knew to b…