In Numidia, circa - 138, Micipsa stayed alone in power after the death of his brothers, follows the task of his father, develops cities and embellishes Cirta. Vaga (Beja) and Bulla Regia (near Souk el-Arba) become cities. Numidians and their Western neighbours Maures, perpetuate Punic culture, and Rome, after the destruction of Carthage, symbolically gave to Numidia, contents of the Punic libraries which had avoided final fire. Micipsa remains a faithful ally of Rome and during the long seat of Numance (-134 - 133), he sends to Scipio Emilien, a contingent ordered by one of his nephews, the illicit son of his brother Mastanabal. It is Jugurtha who makes very good impression on the Roman general.



The rise of Jugurtha



On the death of his brother Mastanabal, Micipsa gives his son Jugurtha at home and rears him as his sons in Cirta. He becomes very clever on horseback, in the javelin and starts to learn about Greek philosophy. Towards - 120, to soften him and undoubtedly influenced by Scipio Aemilianus, Micipsa adopts his nephew and he gives him the same rights as his own sons Adherbal and Hiempsal. On the death of Aguellid, in - 118, reports being detestable between the 3 heirs, no distribution is envisaged except royal treasures and hostilities begin. Rome is not discontented with this division at the head of this powerful kingdom. But fast, Jugurtha makes slaughter Hiempsal in Thirmida. Supported by the elite of the army, he occupies cities and subdues the Numidia. Adherbal, the elder, sure of his numerous army, tries to resist but a single battle is enough for that Jugurtha drives him out of the kingdom. He takes refuge in Rome and asks for the help of the Senate in - 116.

A senatorial commission shares the kingdom and allocates to Adherbal the oriental part with Cirta for capital and to Jugurtha the richest, western part with Iol (Cherchell). No reproach is made to Jugurtha which distributed gold generously to the Senators. In - 113, suddenly, Jugurtha attacks the kingdom of his cousin until Cirta. Adherbal must fight to defend his kingdom. As said Salluste, both armies being in Rusicada, and  Adherbal's is surprised in the night and slaughtered, he takes refuge in Cirta and the seat begins. Adherbal succeeds in sending messengers in front of the Senate of Rome who shows no firmness.

It is true that the war against Cimbres and Teutons threatens !   

It is the Italian colony who defends the city with energy and who recommends to Adherbal to capitulate, counting on greatness of Rome to protect them. But Jugurtha kills Adherbal and all male population, including Italians. War is declared in - 111 and the Senate sends consul Lucius Calpurnius Bestia at the head of the army of Africa. This time the active corruption in the Senate does not work and the Roman army, come by the Sicily, disembarks in Africa and takes some cities, makes numerous prisoners and walk towards Bagradas (Medjerdah). He accepts the submission of distant cities and Jugurtha seems biddable. A modest fine is inflicted on the numidian king, military operations cease, a treaty is signed and Jugurtha is called to Rome by Senate to find an agreement. Jugurtha goes to Italy and appears in front of the Senate where optimates and populares exactly oppose on the future of Numidia.

The first represent patricians, are favourable to the maintenance of independent Numidia and does not want to risk an overseas war. Seconds supported by plebeians, consider Numidia as a possession of the Roman people. Jugurtha succeeds in manipulating these two factions, by corruption and intrigue. He succeeds even in eliminating Massiva, one of his cousins which is ready to take the relay of Adherbal, in Rome. Jugurtha is evicted, the treaty is broken by the Senate. By leaving, Jugurtha would have thrown
famous sentence, according to Salluste :

" Here is a city to be sold, intended to perish if any buyer could be found."

Operations start slowly. The consul Spurus Postumius Albinus orders an army of 40 000 men, unruly and in touch with the enemy. Jugurtha refuses to fight and pays the consul who must soon come back to Rome. It is his brother Aulus who aims the army currently. He decides to besiege Suthul in full winter to shorten conflict. It is there that is deposited  Jugurtha's treasure. This place is difficult to take and soon, approaches of the city are wholly marshy. In spite of these difficulties, Aulus prepares the seat in a habitual manner in - 109. Jugurtha succeeds in corrupting the allied troops of Romans, and even the primipile of the third legion. Jugurtha and the army moves away from Suthul and draws away the Roman army so in an arid region. Then one night, he judges the favourable instant and attacks the Roman camp. Ligures and Thraces present pass in the numidian camp as well as some legionnairies and the primipile of the third legion lets enter the numidian army in the camp. The legionnaires run away, often without weapon, on a hill, the camp is looted and the following day, Aulus and the legionnaries pass under yoke. The treaty is renewed as wishes it Jugurtha, peace is concluded, the Romans have ten days to evacuate Numidia   

In Rome it is a scandal and the Senate breaks the peace treaty. But military operations are awaiting trials, Bestia and Albinus Spurius are condemned to exile. The war resumed with the appointment of Quintus Metellus who mistrusts the Africa's army, raises troops and chooses officers from people like Gaius Marius. He arrived and put in order these Africa'army so disorganized. In spring - 108, he enters in Numidian kingdom with the intention of bringing captive Jugurtha to Rome, but he remains quiet about his intentions before the envoys of the numidian king. In the face of Jugurtha's hostility, he makes ready to fight. He takes Cirta and installs a garrison in the fortress of Vaga and continu his route. But Jugurtha prepars an ambush near a large river Muthul.

This time, Jugurtha changes his manners of fight. So far, his tactic is similar to the guerrillas, with cavalry charges sudden surprising legionaries, vanish into the wild when the resistance is high or when the panic wins, overwhelm. This time, Jugurtha wants to strike a big blow, he exhorts his soldiers as Sallust in Bellum Jugurthinum, described us:

"Then he begins to go, one by one, and squadrons manipules, urging the ward to remember their glorious past and their recent victory and defend their country and their king against the rapacity of the Romans."

"Jugurtha not remain inactive. It is found everywhere. Everywhere he urged his soldiers. It resumes the fight. Also at the head of his own, sometimes he flies to their rescue, and sometimes he attacked those of us who are weak, sometimes he fights from afar fought whose who farm."

This is the battle in Muthul - 108. This is the name of a river who can be Oued Mellegue according to Stephane Gsell, or Oued Tessa, according to Charles Saumagne. Here, Jugurtha sets the bulk of his army in the valley where flows the river and 2 000 horsemen lock the way out after the last Roman warrior. But Metellus feels the trap and sends Rufus Rutilius and a troop of cavalry to set up a camp near the river, he climbs on a height, himself . When Jugurtha gives the signal of battle, all the Roman troops are beset by Numidians more numerous. Legionaries must vanquish, the battle lasted for hours. Then, the numidian infantry returns on the hill and the horsemen slow down the attacks. Troops of Metellus climb on the hill and Numidians are fleeing, while the legionaires of Rufus eliminate or capture elephants of Bomilcar. Roman losses are heavy and Metellus could not replace them therefore  he avoids the battle henceforth and adopts the tactic of scorched earth, while Jugurtha keeps at harassment Legionnaire isolated with a small group of horsemen elite.

Foragers are also strongly escorted. But Metellus want to attract Jugurtha and for this, attack and a major stronghold Numidian, Zama. Jugurtha strengthens the defense of the city and continues his skirmishes. During the attack fortifications, Jugurtha interposes but he is rejected. He does it again with hit foot soldiers mixed with horsemen who don't retreat after a charge. Metellus his side cannot take the city. He abandons the siege, strengthens the garrisons, goes to Carthage and makes its winter quarters in Africa. Marius during this time is in Rome to be elected consul for the year - 106.

The consul Marius recruits new troops and auxiliaries at the allies. He has to do better than Metellus whom he denigrated before the Senate.Spring - 106, he begins campaign, beginning with small operations without risk, against small towns or against Getuls. These operations are successful but not significant, Marius decides to take a important city and his choices are fixed on Capsa. He manages to capture the target by surprise and though the inhabitants give oneself up, the population adult is massacred, others sold into slavery according Florus. The city was looted and burned. It works the same with other cities. Jugurtha, pursued by Marius, goes at his stepfather Bocchus and Marius and attacks a mountain called "Table Jugurtha", where he has hidden his treasures. Resistance was strong and the defense is easy as the position is abrupt. The place is taken through observation of an auxiliary ligurian who found a way to climb on the tray.




The two battles on the road to Cirta

Jugurtha has convinced Bocchus to ally with him against the Romans by promising a third of his kingdom. So, when Sylla, a staff officer of Marius, returns with the horsemen which he has recruited and joins Marius bringing back his troops in their winter quarters, the legionnaries are suddenly surrounded by surplus of horsemen Moorish and Numidian at the end of the day. The attack was brutal and surprising enemy who is at first overflow then who copes forming the circle and settle on two hills whose strong position interrupts the fight. At daybreak, the legionnaires surprise Numidians and Moors on waking, in silence and disorganized. They cause great losses.

Later, near Cirta, the two kings prepare another snare and muster four army corps as Salluste says, one composed of infantry, headed by Volux, son of Bocchus. While Sylla and his cavalry squadrons compact attack his opponents, infantrymen in Volux attack Roman rearguard. Meanwhile the bulk of the forces of Jugurtha, attack Marius who is head of the legions. Then Jugurtha announces, near Bocchus, to the legionnaires that Marius died, by showing her sword covered with blood. A certain disorder is expressed on the Roman line, but before legionnaries are routed, Sylla which has just got rid of his adversaries, takes the Maures on the flank. Bocchus, withdraws immediately, Jugurtha, on the other hand, supports his soldiers and holds out but surrounded by Roman cavalry, his soldiers die and he ends up escaping. Marius during this time triumphed over horsemen who made him face, can support his men and the Romans earn everywhere and pursue enemy in retirement. Finally Roman army arrives at Cirta.

Numidie becomes a Roman "protectorate" managed by name by Gauda, the unhealthy stepbrother of Jugurtha, as shows it the inscription found in Thubursicum numidarum, until - 88. Hiempsal, the son of Gauda, brother of Jugurtha, Hiarbas and Masyntha, probably one of both sons of Jugurtha escaped from its captivity of Venuse. Also, the second son, Oxyntas is present during social war near the Samnite Caius Papius Mutilus.

These princes, Hiempsal and Hiarbas, quarrel over kingdom and roman generals take part in this conflict. On order of Sylla, Pumped support Hiemsal, whereas Gnaeus Domitius Aenobarbus protects Hiarbas. These are completely undone near Utique where Ahenobarbus dies. Hiarbas perishes shortly after in Bulla on order of Pompey. In - 81, disturbances seem ended and Hiempsal II "governs" the biggest part of Numidia while Masyntha (called also Manasses), reigned only over a corner ignored of the country which is taken, some years afterwards, towards - 63, by Julius Caesar, who begins his political career.



Hiempsal dies circa -60, his son Juba 1st succeeds him, is soon attacked at the same time by the tribune of Julius Caesar, Scribonius Curio and by Bocchus II, the king of Mauretania. He sends his lieutenant Sabura who is victor of mauratanian troops while he crushes Roman legions and captures Curio which is executed. To protect himself against Caesar, Juba supports the cause of Pompey. Defeated in the battle of Thapsus, he commits suicide under the walls of Zama in - 46. Numidia becomes the province Africa Nova. Juba II is taken in captivity in Rome. He makes bright studies there and comes back to occupy the throne of his fathers in - 25, having married Cleopatre Selene, the daughter of Mark Antoine and Cleopatre VII. In - 17, Numidia romanized is annexed to Empire and becomes again Nova Africa while Juba II comes to Iol, (Cherchell) that he reappoints Julia Cesarea, to reign over Mauretania, Occidental Numidia and Getulia. Their son Ptolemy reigns from 24 to 40, date to which he is called in Rome and murdered.

It is the end of the independence of ancient North Africa. Roman domination practises directly on the part close to Mediterranean Sea on one depth varying from 50 to 300 kilometres. In the south of this zone, in nearness of the desert, the Nomads remain unsubdued. We have from the East to West: Garamantes, Getuls and Musulames.