21 Facts About Masinissa

Much of what is known about Masinissa comes from Livy's History of Rome, and to a lesser extent Cicero's Scipio's Dream.

Masinissa ruled for 54 years until his death at age 90.

Masinissa was regarded as a staunch ally of Rome, and an unusually vigorous ruler, leading troops until his death and fathering some 44 sons.

Masinissa was the son of the chieftain Gaia of a Numidian tribal group, the Massylii.

Masinissa was brought up in Carthage, an ally of his father.

At the start of the Second Punic War, Masinissa fought for Carthage against Syphax, the king of the Masaesyli of western Numidia, who had allied himself with the Romans.

Masinissa was betrothed to the daughter of the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal Gisco.

Meanwhile, with the Carthaginians having been driven from Hispania, Masinissa concluded that Rome was winning the war against Carthage and therefore decided to defect to Rome.

Masinissa promised to assist Scipio in the invasion of Carthaginian territory in Africa.

Masinissa joined the Roman forces and participated in the victorious Battle of the Great Plains.

At the Battle of Bagbrades, Scipio overcame Hasdrubal and Syphax and, while the Roman general concentrated on Carthage, Gaius Laelius and Masinissa followed Syphax to Cirta, where he was captured and handed over to Scipio.

Masinissa was now accepted as a loyal ally of Rome, and was confirmed by Scipio as the king of the Massylii.

At the Battle of Zama, Masinissa commanded the cavalry on Scipio's right wing, Scipio delayed the engagement long enough to allow for Masinissa to join him.

The Second Punic War was over and for his services Masinissa received the Kingdom of Syphax, and became King of Numidia.

Masinissa was now king of both the Massylii and the Masaesyli.

Masinissa showed unconditional loyalty to Rome, and his position in Africa was strengthened by a clause in the peace treaty of 201 between Rome and Carthage prohibiting the latter from going to war even in self-defense without Roman permission.

All through his reign, Masinissa extended his territory, and he was cooperating with Rome when, towards the end of his life, he provoked Carthage to go to war against him.

Masinissa defeated the Punics at the Battle of Oroscopa in 151 BC.

Masinissa showed his displeasure when the Roman army arrived in Africa in 149 BC, but he died early in 148 BC without a breach in the alliance.

Ancient accounts suggest Masinissa lived beyond the age of 90 and was apparently still personally leading the armies of his kingdom when he died.

In 179 BC Masinissa received a golden crown from the inhabitants of Delos as he had offered them a shipload of grain.