Battle of Cirta

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Coordinates: 36 ° 22 ′ 3 ″  N , 6 ° 36 ′ 43 ″  E

Battle of Cirta
Map of North Africa with Cirta on the far left
Map of North Africa with Cirta on the far left
date 203 BC Chr.
place Cirta , in North Africa
output Roman victory
Parties to the conflict

Roman Empire

Numidia

Commander

Masinissa , Gaius Laelius

Syphax


Second Punic War (218–201 BC)

The Battle of Cirta was a skirmish between Numidians and Romans .

prehistory

Syphax, Carthage's main ally, had withdrawn with his troops in the North African city of Cirta. Publius Cornelius Scipio sent two of his most capable men, Massinissa and Gaius Laelius, in pursuit. These landed in 203 BC. BC in North Africa and immediately marched towards the city of Cirta. Syphax hired mercenaries on his way and believed he was strong enough to face the Romans shortly before the city. There was a battle.

The battle

It began with an attack by the Numidian cavalry, which had already distinguished itself in the Second Punic War . Massinissa instructed his Velites to throw their javelins at the enemy and then retreat behind the ranks of the Hastati . The two armies collided and a fierce battle broke out man against man. But the army of Syphax consisted mostly of poorly trained mercenaries and was subject to the well-drilled legionaries. When the Roman cavalry fell in the back of the Numidians, they fled. Syphax himself was captured, and the battle was decided.

consequences

Massinissa occupied the capital Cirta and had Syphax brought to Tibur in chains . The strongest ally of Carthage was thus defeated.

literature