A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. By various writers. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

968 MASINISSA. MASINISSA.
dition to the effect produced by the success of the soon as his wound was partially healed he once
Roman arms, and the great personal influence of more re-appeared among the Massylians, and
Scipio -an influence increased in this case by his quickly gathered around his standard an army of
generous conduct towards Massiva, a nephew of 10,000 men. Syphax now took the field against
Masinissa [MASSIVA] —the Numidian prince is him in person, and again obtained a decisive vicsaid to have been actuated by resentment against tory, Masinissa, with a small body of horsemen,
Hasdrubal, who had previously betrothed to him with difficulty cutting his way through the enemy's
his beautiful daughter Sophonisba, but violated his forces. He, however, effected his escape to the
engagement, in order to bestow her hand upon sea-coast, and there hovered about, at the head of
Syphax. (Appian, Pun. 10; Zonar. ix. 11, p.436.) a mere predatory band, until the landing of Scipio
The chronology of these events is, however, very in Africa B. c. 204, when he instantly joined him
uncertain: according to Livy, it was not till some with such a force as he had been able to collect.
time after this that the betrothal of Sophonisba (Liv. xxix. 31-33; Appian, Pun. 10-13.)
took place. (Liv. xxix. 23.) But the defection The services he was now able to render his
of Masinissa still remained a secret; meanwhile, Roman allies were neither few nor trifling. Almost
he rejoined Mago at Gades for a time, and then immediately after he had joined them he defeated
crossed over into Africa, where events had taken the Carthaginian cavalry under Hanno, the son of
place which drew all his attention to his paternal Hamilcar [HANNO, No. 23], and bore all important
dominions. part in the night attack which ended in the conOn the death of his father Gala, which had oc- flagration of the two camps of Hasdrubal and
curred during the time that he was in Spain, the Syphax. On this occasion, indeed, his intimate
crown had devolved, according, it is said, to the acquaintance with the habits of the enemy, and his
Numidian custom, on Oesalces, brother of the late intelligence of their plans, appear to have been of
king, and from him descended shortly after to his the most essential service to Scipio. The confidence
son Capusa. But the latter being a man of a feeble reposed in the Numidian chief both by that general
character, had been overthrown by Mezetulus, who and Laelius is the strongest testimony to his chaassumed the virtual sovereignty in the name of racter as a warrior, as well as to their opinion of
Lacumaces, the younger brother of Capusa. Against his fidelity, a much rarer quality among his counthis usurper Masinissa determined to direct his trymen. After the second defeat of the combined
arms, and after having in vain endeavoured to forces of Syphax and Hasdrubal, an event in which
obtain the support of Bocchar, king of Mauritania, Masinissa had again taken a prominent part, he
he entered the confines of Numidia with a body of was despatched, together with Laelius, to pursue
only 500 horsemen. But, trifling as this force the fugitives: they recovered without opposition
imight appear, he was able to strike a blow in the the whole country of the Massylians, and though
first instance which had nearly proved decisive- Syphax with indefatigable energy opposed to them
the young king Lacumaces having narrowly escaped a third army, he was not only again defeated, but
falling into his hands while travelling with a small himself made prisoner. Following up their adescort to the court of Syphax. The old soldiers vantage, they quickly reduced Cirta, the capital of
and adherents of his father now flocked to the Syphax, and the stronghold where he had deposited
standard of Masinissa, who soon found himself at all his treasures. Among the captives that fell
the head of a respectable army, with which he was into their hands on this occasion was Sophonisba,
able to meet Mezetulus in the field, and having the wife of the Numidian king, and the same who
defeated him in a pitched battle, compelled both had been formerly promised in marriage to Masihim and the young king to take refuge in the nissa himself. The story of his hasty marriage
territories of Syphax. From thence they were with her, and its tragical termination, is too well
induced by the friendly promises of Masinissa to known to require to be here repeated. [SoPHoreturn and take up their abode at his court, in an NISBA.] To console him for his loss, as well as to
honourable though private station. (Liv. xxix. reward him for his obedience, Scipio now bestowed
29, 30.) Masinissa now found himself established on Masinissa the title and insignia of royalty, and
on his father's throne; but he was aware that a the possession of his hereditary dominions, holding
mnore formidable danger threatened him on the out to him the prospect of eventually obtaining
side of Syphax, who, besides the enmity he na- those of his rival also; and these honours were
turally entertained against his former foe, was immediately ratified by the senate at Rome. (Liv.
urged on by Hasdrubal, who appears to have been xxix. 34, xxx. 3-9, 11-17; Polyb. xiv. 3, 4, 8
conscious that he had offended Masinissa beyond 9; Appian, Pan. 14-22, 26-28; Zonar. ix. 12,
the possibility of forgiveness, and was anxious to 13.)
crush him before he could receive assistance from On the commencement of the negotiations for
Rome. The first attacks of Syphax were corn- peace between Scipio and the Carthaginiarns (B. C.
pletely successful: Masinissa, totally defeated in 203), Masinissa quitted the Roman camp to esthe first action, fled with a few horsemen to a tablish himself in the possession of his newlymountain fastness, from whence he made predatory acquired dominions. But the rupture of the treaty,
inroads into the territories both of Syphax and the and the landing of Hannibal in Africa, caused
Carthaginians. Here his followers soon increased Scipio again to summon him in all haste to his
both in numbers and boldness, until Syphax, who assistance. Hannibal it is said made an attempt
had at first despised them, found it necessary to to detach him from the alliance of the Romans, but
send against him one of his generals named without effect, and he joined Scipio, with a force
Bocchar, whose measures were so efficiently taken of 6000 foot and 4000 horse, just before the battle
that he succeeded in cutting off the whole of Ma- of Zama (B. c. 202). In that decisive action he
sinissa's force, the king himself escaping from the commanded the cavalry of the right wing, and
field with only two followers, and badly wounded. contributed in no small degree to the successful
He lay concealed in a cave for some time, but as result of the' day. After routing the Numidian