Jugurtha
Jugurtha was an influential figure in the history of Roman-Numidian relations, serving as the adopted son of King Micipsa of Numidia. Following Micipsa's death in 118 BCE, Jugurtha engaged in a power struggle with his stepbrothers, leading to the assassination of Hiempsal and the forced exile of Adherbal. The situation escalated when Jugurtha besieged and killed Adherbal in 112 BCE, prompting a military response from Rome. This conflict, known as the Jugurthine War, began in 111 BCE, with Roman forces struggling to defeat Jugurtha despite several military campaigns. Jugurtha's alliance with Bocchus I, the king of Mauretania, initially bolstered his position until Roman general Lucius Cornelius Sulla persuaded Bocchus to betray him. Jugurtha was ultimately captured and sent to Rome, where he died in prison. His actions and the resulting conflict not only highlighted issues of African autonomy but also contributed to a significant rivalry within Roman politics, particularly between Gaius Marius and Sulla, which set the stage for future civil unrest in Rome.
Jugurtha
Related civilizations: Numidia, Republican Rome
Major role/position: King of Numidia, military leader
Life
Jugurtha (joo-GUR-thuh) was the adopted son of King Micipsa of Numidia. Following Micipsa’s death, in 118 b.c.e., the Numidian monarchy was equally divided among Jugurtha, Hiempsal, and Adherbal (Micipsa’s natural sons). Jugurtha murdered Hiempsal soon afterward and forced Adherbal to flee to Rome. The Roman senate mediated an uneasy and short-lived truce between the brothers. In 112 b.c.e., Jugurtha besieged Adherbal in Cirta, murdered him, and massacred the inhabitants, including the city’s Italian residents. This brought the wrath of Rome.
The Jugurthine War began in 111 b.c.e. The Roman army pursued Jugurtha across North Africa but was unable to defeat him decisively. Jugurtha had an ally in his father-in-law, Bocchus I, king of Mauretania.
In 107 b.c.e., consul Gaius Marius and quaestor Lucius Cornelius Sulla were sent to Numidia to defeat Jugurtha. Two years later, Sulla convinced Bocchus it was in his best interest to betray Jugurtha and ally with Rome. Bocchus delivered Jugurtha in chains to the Romans. They sent him to Rome to be executed, but he died in prison.
Influence
Jugurtha became a symbol of African independence from Roman intervention. His war sparked a long-running rivalry between Marius and Sulla that eventually led to a bloody and violent Roman civil war.
Bibliography
Raven, Susan. Rome in Africa. 3d ed. New York: Routledge, 1993.
Sallust. The Jugurthine War/The Conspiracy of Catiline. Translated by S. A. Handford. New York: Penguin Books, 1963.