deuxième tableau – ruins of the old seigniory palace. the captured ghibelline prisoners including giurgurta are about to be executed. orso enters and proposes to the people that the prisoners be freed, in order to march against the emperor laying siege to the city and demanding 50,000 florins to lift the siege. the people accept. as they set off for battle giugurta catches a glance and words from cordelia to orso, and says that he will return and question her after the battle.