Syphax

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Syphax ( Central Atlas Tamazight ⵙⵉⴼⴰⴽⵙ Sifaks ; † around 201 BC in Tibur ), also known as Syphaks , was from 220 to 203 BC. King of Western Numidia . He ruled from his capital Cirta , today's Algerian Constantine , the tribe of the Massaesylians and thus part of the Masirs ( Berbers ). The North African ruler was in the Second Punic War from 207 BC. At first Rome's ally against Carthage , but soon changed sides.

When Scipio the Elder in 204 BC When he landed in Africa, Syphax had already made a pact with Carthage and supported the war against the Romans and their allies Massinissa , king in the eastern part of Numidia, who in turn had changed fronts.

Massinissa's rival entered into the Carthaginian alliance after the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal gave him his daughter Sophonisbe as his wife. This beauty had previously been betrothed by Hasdrubal to Massinissa, who had firmly expected a marriage. The already existing arch enmity of the Numidians with Syphax was considerably deepened by this marriage.

The West Numid monarch initially waged war with the hastily assembled army against Scipio, not without luck. Hasdrubal and Syphax were then however in 203 BC. Attacked by Scipio in their army camps on the Medjerda river and suffered a total defeat. Hasdrubal took refuge within the walls of Carthage. Syphax returned home to his capital. He gathered an army again, but was pursued by the hurriedly advancing Romans under Laelius and the troops of Massinissa. A year later he was finally beaten with the loss of Cirta. Syphax fell into the hands of his enemies and died a prisoner in Tibur . Polybios and Tacitus report that he had previously been taken along in Scipio's triumphal procession , but this is denied by Livy .

Massinissa was rewarded for his support in the Second Punic War of Rome with Syphax's empire and in Cirta was the first ruler of Numidia, which was united with Roman approval .

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SURNAME Syphax
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Siphaks
BRIEF DESCRIPTION King in Western Numidia; Ruler of the Massaesylians
DATE OF BIRTH 3rd century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH around 201 BC Chr.
Place of death Tibur , Roman Empire