Individual Details
Gaia Chief of the Massyli
( - )
The Berber King Masinissa (c.240–148) was for many decades both well known and well regarded at Rome. He was the first and the most important of the early Berber leaders to undertake major relations with the Roman state. His family became what may be considered the royal house of Numidia and vicinity for eight generations: the House of Masinissa. A biligual inscription (in Punic and Libyan) from the city of Thugga, made a few years after his death, commences:
"The citizens Thugga have built this temple to king Masinissa, son of the king Gaia, son of the sufete Zilasan, in the year ten of Micipsa." Here the office translated "king" was written GLD (cognate to modern Berber "agellid" [paramount tribal chief]). The throne came to Masinissa in a roundabout way (father to uncle to cousin to him). The "sufete" (Hebrew: Shophet) was a Punic title often translated as "judge" as in the biblical Book of Judges, Hebrew being a sister Semitic language to Punic. King Micipsa was the son of Masinissa.
Masinissa (c.240-148).
Masinissa, in Hispania during the early years of the Second Punic War (218–201), served as a young cavalry commander for Carthage. There Masinissa had met discreetly with the Roman general Scipio; eventually he went over to Rome. At the death of his father King Gala [Gaia], Masinissa sailed home to Massyli, where he fought against usurpers for the throne. Then a neighboring Berber king Syphax invaded; but Masinissa escaped to continue his struggle from farmlands and mountains. When Scipio's armies later landed in Africa, Masinissa and his cavalry joined them. At the Battle of Zama in 202, Masinissa led Numidian and Italian cavalry as the right wing of the Romans. During the battle his cavalry engaged in fighting had disappeared from Scipio's view. At a crucial moment Masinissa's horsemen suddenly reappeared, to fall upon the Punic forces and gain victory. Hannibal's defeat here ended the long conflict.
The Roman writer Livy (59 BC–AD 17) in his history of Rome, Ab urbe condita, devotes a half-dozen pages to Masinissa's character and career, both turbulent and admired, eventful and long in duration. Livy writes: "Since Masinissa was by far the greatest of all the kings of his time and rendered much the most valuable service to Rome, I feel that it is worth while to digress a little in order to tell [his] story...." Livy informs us of Masinissa's early military services to Carthage and of his and Carthage's victory over the Masaesyli led by Syphax. Next in Hispania, Masinissa led cavalry units for Carthage against Rome. Here he switches sides to ally with Rome, after meeting with Scipio Africanus the celebrated Roman general.
There followed the death of his father Gala, King of the Massyli; he returns home where he finds a usurper taking over his father's kingdom. Masinissa becomes a guerilla chief in the mountains of Africa. By persistent struggle Masinissa regains his kingdom. Yet then quickly came an invasion by the above Syphax, who this time defeats Masinissa and seizes the Massyli kingdom. Masinissa escapes into the bush. Later, his forces find the army of Scipio, recently landed in Africa. In battle they defeat an army of Carthage; Syphax is captured. Masinissa sends envoys to Rome who meet with the Senate. Carthage must recall Hannibal from Italy to defend the African capital. Nearby Hannibal fights the Battle of Zama (202 BC) against Scipio's Roman army, with Masinissa at the head of cavalry on Scipio's right. Following victory over Hannibal, Masinissa is restored to his kingdom, Massyli and also surrounding Numidia, where he will rule for fifty years.[20][21]
That the Roman author Livy admired Masinissa is clear from his many favorable comments about the Berber king (constantissima fides). A modern Latin scholar summarizes here, citing Livy's Ab urbe condita:
"Masinissa is in fact a foreigner with almost all the Roman virtues. He is religious, for he tells Scipio that he was awaiting any chance to [leave Carthage for Rome] which 'the kindness of the immortal gods offered'. As a general he shows forethought, but also boldness. At Scipio's command, he controls his wayward passions by administering poison to Sophoniba [wife of Syphax]. Above all, his valour is conspicuous; even at age ninety-two, just before the Third Punic War, he leads his army to defeat the Carthaginians. Masinissa is one of Livy's great heroes, and throughout the fourth decade [Livy's books XXX to XL] he is mentioned in speeches as an example to the peoples of the East of all that a king-ally should be. Hasdrubal is made to say: 'There is greater talent of nature and mind in Masinissa that in any previous member of his race.' And Livy calls him 'by far the greatest king of his day'."
Regarding Sophoniba, her story provides a perspective on the rivalry between the two kings, Syphax of Masaesyli (west Numidia) and Masinissa of Massyli (east Numidia). Her story also sheds light on the relationship between Carthage and the Berbers, with particular reference to Rome. Livy (59 BC–AD 17), the Roman historian, presents a rather detailed portrait of these circumstances, especially events following the defeat of her husband Syphax. Such details may shed light on the personality of Masinissa, or at least on the world in which he lived. Yet ancient historians were not unfamiliar with propaganda and their readers expected them to recreate scenes, giving memorable, probable versions of what might have happened.
The Death of Sophonisba, by Giambattista Pittoni.
Sophoniba was the young and beautiful daughter of Hasdrubal Gisco, a leading general of Carthage. To secure allegiance of the Berber kingdom of Massyli, she was pledged to Masinissa, but as he turned to Rome, she instead was given to his rival, the Berber king Syphax of neighboring Masaesyli, for similar purpose. Syphax then invaded Massyli, forcing Masinissa to flee. As the Second Punic War neared its climax (which would be at Zama), Scipio was landing his Roman armies in Africa, where Masinissa joined him. Syphax then quickly met defeat, with Masinissa triumphant. Here then, Sophoniba's attentions win the affection of Masinissa, and his allegiance; he quickly marries her, to present the Romans with a fait accompli. Days later Scipio persuades him that the politics of the Rome–Carthage conflict make his marriage to Sophoniba impossible; she must be taken to Rome. Sophoniba speaks with Masinissa, saying there is a bond between Carthaginian and Berber, both of Africa, as against Rome; reluctantly accepting that their marriage must end, she pleads with him that she not be humiliated. Masinissa agrees and gives her poison, which she takes. Hers may be compared to Dido's suicide 650 years earlier, but there Dido died to avoid marriage to the Mauretani Berber leader Hiarbus. Here, however, Sophoniba married first Syphax, then Masinissa; it was not the Berber husband she refused; she rejected the ordeal of being paraded in a Roman triumph.
A modern historian characterizes Masinissa, noting in particular his "tremendous ideal" of uniting the Berber peoples, which would motivate many of his actions during his long reign:
"Masinissa, who was thirty-seven years old at Zama, preserved his vigour into a ripe old age: at eighty-eight he still commanded his army in battle, mounting his horse unaided and riding bareback. But he had other outstanding qualities besides physical vigour. Fearless and unscrupulous, diplomatic and masterful, he conceived the tremendous ideal of welding the native tribes of North Africa into a nation. He successfully developed agriculture and commerce, and encouraged the spread of Punic civilization. His fame soon exceeded the confines of Africa; he cultivated relations with the Greek world, and at Delos at least three statues were erected in his honour. Throughout he remained a faithful ally of Rome...."
"The citizens Thugga have built this temple to king Masinissa, son of the king Gaia, son of the sufete Zilasan, in the year ten of Micipsa." Here the office translated "king" was written GLD (cognate to modern Berber "agellid" [paramount tribal chief]). The throne came to Masinissa in a roundabout way (father to uncle to cousin to him). The "sufete" (Hebrew: Shophet) was a Punic title often translated as "judge" as in the biblical Book of Judges, Hebrew being a sister Semitic language to Punic. King Micipsa was the son of Masinissa.
Masinissa (c.240-148).
Masinissa, in Hispania during the early years of the Second Punic War (218–201), served as a young cavalry commander for Carthage. There Masinissa had met discreetly with the Roman general Scipio; eventually he went over to Rome. At the death of his father King Gala [Gaia], Masinissa sailed home to Massyli, where he fought against usurpers for the throne. Then a neighboring Berber king Syphax invaded; but Masinissa escaped to continue his struggle from farmlands and mountains. When Scipio's armies later landed in Africa, Masinissa and his cavalry joined them. At the Battle of Zama in 202, Masinissa led Numidian and Italian cavalry as the right wing of the Romans. During the battle his cavalry engaged in fighting had disappeared from Scipio's view. At a crucial moment Masinissa's horsemen suddenly reappeared, to fall upon the Punic forces and gain victory. Hannibal's defeat here ended the long conflict.
The Roman writer Livy (59 BC–AD 17) in his history of Rome, Ab urbe condita, devotes a half-dozen pages to Masinissa's character and career, both turbulent and admired, eventful and long in duration. Livy writes: "Since Masinissa was by far the greatest of all the kings of his time and rendered much the most valuable service to Rome, I feel that it is worth while to digress a little in order to tell [his] story...." Livy informs us of Masinissa's early military services to Carthage and of his and Carthage's victory over the Masaesyli led by Syphax. Next in Hispania, Masinissa led cavalry units for Carthage against Rome. Here he switches sides to ally with Rome, after meeting with Scipio Africanus the celebrated Roman general.
There followed the death of his father Gala, King of the Massyli; he returns home where he finds a usurper taking over his father's kingdom. Masinissa becomes a guerilla chief in the mountains of Africa. By persistent struggle Masinissa regains his kingdom. Yet then quickly came an invasion by the above Syphax, who this time defeats Masinissa and seizes the Massyli kingdom. Masinissa escapes into the bush. Later, his forces find the army of Scipio, recently landed in Africa. In battle they defeat an army of Carthage; Syphax is captured. Masinissa sends envoys to Rome who meet with the Senate. Carthage must recall Hannibal from Italy to defend the African capital. Nearby Hannibal fights the Battle of Zama (202 BC) against Scipio's Roman army, with Masinissa at the head of cavalry on Scipio's right. Following victory over Hannibal, Masinissa is restored to his kingdom, Massyli and also surrounding Numidia, where he will rule for fifty years.[20][21]
That the Roman author Livy admired Masinissa is clear from his many favorable comments about the Berber king (constantissima fides). A modern Latin scholar summarizes here, citing Livy's Ab urbe condita:
"Masinissa is in fact a foreigner with almost all the Roman virtues. He is religious, for he tells Scipio that he was awaiting any chance to [leave Carthage for Rome] which 'the kindness of the immortal gods offered'. As a general he shows forethought, but also boldness. At Scipio's command, he controls his wayward passions by administering poison to Sophoniba [wife of Syphax]. Above all, his valour is conspicuous; even at age ninety-two, just before the Third Punic War, he leads his army to defeat the Carthaginians. Masinissa is one of Livy's great heroes, and throughout the fourth decade [Livy's books XXX to XL] he is mentioned in speeches as an example to the peoples of the East of all that a king-ally should be. Hasdrubal is made to say: 'There is greater talent of nature and mind in Masinissa that in any previous member of his race.' And Livy calls him 'by far the greatest king of his day'."
Regarding Sophoniba, her story provides a perspective on the rivalry between the two kings, Syphax of Masaesyli (west Numidia) and Masinissa of Massyli (east Numidia). Her story also sheds light on the relationship between Carthage and the Berbers, with particular reference to Rome. Livy (59 BC–AD 17), the Roman historian, presents a rather detailed portrait of these circumstances, especially events following the defeat of her husband Syphax. Such details may shed light on the personality of Masinissa, or at least on the world in which he lived. Yet ancient historians were not unfamiliar with propaganda and their readers expected them to recreate scenes, giving memorable, probable versions of what might have happened.
The Death of Sophonisba, by Giambattista Pittoni.
Sophoniba was the young and beautiful daughter of Hasdrubal Gisco, a leading general of Carthage. To secure allegiance of the Berber kingdom of Massyli, she was pledged to Masinissa, but as he turned to Rome, she instead was given to his rival, the Berber king Syphax of neighboring Masaesyli, for similar purpose. Syphax then invaded Massyli, forcing Masinissa to flee. As the Second Punic War neared its climax (which would be at Zama), Scipio was landing his Roman armies in Africa, where Masinissa joined him. Syphax then quickly met defeat, with Masinissa triumphant. Here then, Sophoniba's attentions win the affection of Masinissa, and his allegiance; he quickly marries her, to present the Romans with a fait accompli. Days later Scipio persuades him that the politics of the Rome–Carthage conflict make his marriage to Sophoniba impossible; she must be taken to Rome. Sophoniba speaks with Masinissa, saying there is a bond between Carthaginian and Berber, both of Africa, as against Rome; reluctantly accepting that their marriage must end, she pleads with him that she not be humiliated. Masinissa agrees and gives her poison, which she takes. Hers may be compared to Dido's suicide 650 years earlier, but there Dido died to avoid marriage to the Mauretani Berber leader Hiarbus. Here, however, Sophoniba married first Syphax, then Masinissa; it was not the Berber husband she refused; she rejected the ordeal of being paraded in a Roman triumph.
A modern historian characterizes Masinissa, noting in particular his "tremendous ideal" of uniting the Berber peoples, which would motivate many of his actions during his long reign:
"Masinissa, who was thirty-seven years old at Zama, preserved his vigour into a ripe old age: at eighty-eight he still commanded his army in battle, mounting his horse unaided and riding bareback. But he had other outstanding qualities besides physical vigour. Fearless and unscrupulous, diplomatic and masterful, he conceived the tremendous ideal of welding the native tribes of North Africa into a nation. He successfully developed agriculture and commerce, and encouraged the spread of Punic civilization. His fame soon exceeded the confines of Africa; he cultivated relations with the Greek world, and at Delos at least three statues were erected in his honour. Throughout he remained a faithful ally of Rome...."
Families
| Child | Masinissa King Of Numidia (-238 - -148) |
| Father | Zilalsan Chief of the Massyli ( - ) |