Numidia - ancient kingdom of the Numidians (202BC – 46BC)

The Kingdom of Numidia was formed in 202 BC and lasted around 156 years to 46 BC. The Numidians were a Berber people who emerged from the edge of the desert in the late 2nd millennium BC, and despite the harshness of their environment (or perhaps because of it), they eventually became the most powerful people in North Africa.

The North African Berber kingdom of Numidia was originally inhabited by two tribal groups, with the Masaesyli located in the west and the Massylii in the east. In 206 BC, the new King of Massylii sided with Rome, leading Syphax of Masaesyli to ally himself with Carthage.

During the Second Punic War also known as The War Against Hannibal (218–201 BC), Masinissa, king of the Massylii, defeated Syphax of the Masaesyli to unify Numidia into one kingdom. The Romans proved to be victorious and awarded the conquered territory of Numidia to their ally, Masinissa of the Massylii.

For nearly 50 years Masinissa retained the support of Rome as he tried to turn the Numidian pastoralists into peasant farmers. He also seized much Carthaginian territory and probably hoped to rule all of North Africa. He was one of the most powerful men in North Africa. He died in 148 BC, and at this time his empire extended all the way from Mauretania through former Carthagian territory Cyrenaica, an eastern coastal region of what is modern day Libya.

Masinissa was succeeded by his son Micipsa, who was given charge of the Kingdom’s Capital and Treasure, while his brothers owned the office of Justice and War.
Numidia - ancient kingdom of the Numidians (202BC – 46BC)