Masinissa I
| Masinissa | |
|---|---|
| King of Numidia | |
|
|
| King of Numidia | |
| Reign | 202 BC-148 BC |
| Predecessor | New establishment |
| Successor | Micipsa |
| King of the Massylii | |
| Reign | 206 BC-202 BC |
| Predecessor | Lacumazes |
| Successor | Himself as King of Numidia |
| Born | c. 238 BC |
| Died | 148 BC (aged about 90) |
| Burial | Royal tomb of El Khroub |
| Issue |
Micipsa Gulussa Mastanabal |
| Father | Gaia |
Masinissa, or Masensen, (Berber: Masnsen, ⵎⵙⵏⵙⵏ; c.238 BC – 148 BC)—also spelled Massinissa and Massena—was the first King of Numidia.
During his younger years while not yet king he fought in the Second Punic War (218–201 BC), first against the Romans as an ally of Carthage and later switching sides (206 BC). With Roman support, he united the eastern and western Numidian tribes and founded the Kingdom of Numidia. He is well-known for his role as a Roman ally in the Battle of Zama (202 BC) and as husband of Sophonisba, a Carthaginian noblewoman whom he allowed to poison herself to avoid being paraded in a triumph in Rome.
He ruled Numidia for some 54 years until dying at about the age of 90. He was vigorous, leading troops until his death and fathering some forty-four sons, and a staunch ally of Rome.
Masinissa's story is told in Livy's Ab Urbe Condita (written c. 27–25 BC). He is also featured in Cicero's Scipio's Dream.
His name was found in his tomb of Cirta, modern-day Constantine in Algeria under the form of MSNSN (which has to be read as Mas'n'sen which means "Their Lord").
Masinissa is largely viewed as an icon and an important forefather among modern Berbers.
Masinissa was the son of the chieftain Gaia of a Numidian tribal group, the Massylii. He 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 (present day Algeria), who had allied himself with the Romans. Masinissa, then about 17 years old, led an army of Numidian troops and Carthaginian auxiliaries against Syphax's army and won a decisive victory (215-212 BC). He was betrothed to the daughter of the Carthage general Hasdrubal Gisgo.
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