A successful military general during the Jugurthine War.
He began his military career in the Numantine War. He served as a member of the staff of Scipio Africanus Minor. During the Jugurthine War, he served as a legate to
Quintus Caecilius Metellus Numidicus. Notably, he successfully faced the Numidian Bomilcar in the Battle of Muthul, where he captured or killed most of the war elephants.
In 115 Rufus was defeated for the consulship by Aemilius Scaurus. Ten years later, he was elected for the consulship with Gnaeus Mallius Maximus. During this time, he successfully strengthened the military discipline.