Numidian Kings - Massinissa (203-148 BC)
After a succession of foreign civilizations, the Numidians, indigenous inhabitants of North Africa, created the first powerful state in their history in the 2nd century BC. Numidia is then divided into two kingdoms; that of the Massyles to the east, and that of the Masaesyles to the west.
Massinissa (203-148 BC)
Born in the town of Dougga, in the north of present-day Tunisia, in 238 BC. B.C within a Massylian Numidian family. Between 212 and 206 BC. B.C., Massinissa was in Spain at the head of a troop fighting alongside the Carthaginian Army against the Romans. In 206, he took power with the help of Rome, his new ally. In September 203, the Roman Senate recognized him as King of the Massyles. Since then, Massinissa's conquests have multiplied for the unification of Numidia, in particular during the Battle of Zama (202 BC) where he defeated Hannibal and the Carthaginians alongside his Roman allies. Despite the ongoing conflict with Carthage, the Numidian king succeeded in unifying Numidia. He died in 148 BC, bequeathing a powerful and honest kingdom with Cirta as its capital.
Massinissa (203-148 BC)
Born in the town of Dougga, in the north of present-day Tunisia, in 238 BC. B.C within a Massylian Numidian family. Between 212 and 206 BC. B.C., Massinissa was in Spain at the head of a troop fighting alongside the Carthaginian Army against the Romans. In 206, he took power with the help of Rome, his new ally. In September 203, the Roman Senate recognized him as King of the Massyles. Since then, Massinissa's conquests have multiplied for the unification of Numidia, in particular during the Battle of Zama (202 BC) where he defeated Hannibal and the Carthaginians alongside his Roman allies. Despite the ongoing conflict with Carthage, the Numidian king succeeded in unifying Numidia. He died in 148 BC, bequeathing a powerful and honest kingdom with Cirta as its capital.