Masinissa

Masinissa was the son of Gala - leader mezuliev Numidian tribe (they lived in the east). Already in his youth, during the life of his father, he became famous as a talented leader and a cunning politician. In 213 g. to P. H. Masinissa in a big battle defeated Sifaka - tribal leader masesuliev (the tribe prevail over the western Numidia). Livy writes that fell on the battlefield, then 30 thousand people. Then Masinissa followed the retreating Sifaka in Spain and here in many battles got a great reputation. At that time, was the second Punic War, and Masinissa, speaking on the side of the Carthaginians, brought a lot of trouble Roman general Publius Scipio. Day and night he had pursued the Romans, not giving them no rest, no date. Only 206 g. to P. H., when the Romans were clearly winning, Masinissa went over to their side, and from that time until his death, was known as the worst enemy of Carthage.

Carthaginians, in turn, began struggling to help his enemies. Because approval Masinis in power occurred not without troubles. After the death of his father mezulii obeyed first uncle Masinis Ezalku, and then his son last Kapusse. Kapussa was overthrown by a usurper Mazetuloy. Hearing about all these events, Masinissa crossed over from Spain in Numidia and took TAPS. To him at once began to flock Veterans Gala. Having collected a small army, Masinissa opposed Mazetuly and struck him in the battle of complete defeat, although, according to Libya, the usurper had a large army. Then he attacked an ally Mazetuly and his old enemy Sifaka. The war with him was a stubborn and bloody. In the first battle Masinissa was utterly defeated and fled from the battlefield. Several families with their tents and cattle followed him to Mount Bell. Others mezulii obedient Sifaka. Masinissa, however, has not accepted defeat and began to make forays into the mountains of ownership Sifaka. In the ongoing battle took place several years. His life was not just hung in the balance. One commander Sifaka Boucard Masinis suddenly attacked and killed all its people. Fleeing from pursuit, Masinissa with four companions rushed to the broad river, swam across it, and thus managed to avoid imminent death. Soon he was able to gather a new army of ten and after several battles to assert authority over mezuliyami. Annoyed Sifaka attacked the army Masinis, entrenched in a mountainous area between Cirta and Hippo. Thus one part masesuliev pressed the enemy from the front, while another struck him in the rear. Attacked on two sides, Masinissa defeated and made his way out of the encirclement of the 60 riders.

Such was the situation in Africa, when in 203 g. to P. H. here crossed the Roman army of Scipio. Masinissa immediately came to him in camp with 200 (according to other sources, 2 thousand) riders. Since that time, he participated in all battles against the Carthaginians and the Romans had a truly invaluable service. Chief mezuliev was a daring horseman, perhaps, the best cavalry of the time, and perfectly knew all the tricks of horse fighting. Subordinate Numidian cavalry appeared here and there. Constantly attacking and dodging fast, she did not give the Carthaginians a moment's peace, and caused them great damage. And as the enemies are weaker, cause Masinis recovered. Sifaka, speaking on the side of Carthage, was soon defeated by the Romans and was captured, and Masinissa without a fight mastered its capital Cirta. Then Scipio himself crowned him with a golden wreath and proclaimed to all the Numidian king. Roman senate, who saw in Masinis one of his most loyal allies, approved the decision. In the ensuing decisive battle of Zama Masinissa again distinguished himself - his cavalry routed the left wing of the Carthaginians, and then hit them in the rear. The enemies were defeated and fled. Unable to resist more than the Romans, the Carthaginians sought peace. According to the terms of Numidia (previously under the authority of Carthage) will be granted complete independence, and was recognized Masinissa her king. In the following years, with the connivance of the Romans, Masinissa now and then attacked the Carthaginian possessions and gradually taking charge of their hands. All attempts of the Carthaginians found it in Rome city council were in vain. Finally, in 151 g. to P. H. they opposed Numidians, but were defeated. This collision gave rise to the Third Punic War. Masinissa not live up to its end. He died in 148 g. to P. H., when he was 92 at the age of. Until the last days he was engaged in physical exercises, surprising everyone with his strength and health.

. Sixty-year reign Masinis was an important epoch in the history of Numidia, which became under him in a powerful and prosperous nation
. Local people, have always been engaged in nomadic pastoralism, the king was able to accustom to agriculture, so that Numidians, previously always bought grain from the neighbors, themselves become its exporters. (It is known that even during the Third Macedonian War (171-168 gg. to P. H.) Masinissa abundantly supplied the Romans their bread).