Masinissa

AncientEmperorNumidia-238 — -148

Numidian king, Roman ally, enemy of Carthage.

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Quick Facts

Born

238 BCE

Died

148 BCE

Country

Numidia

Era

Ancient

Occupation

Emperor

Score Overview

Military (10%)67

Political (20%)59

Influence (20%)56

Legacy (20%)50

Leadership (15%)80

Strategy (15%)55

Total Score59.5

Masinissa — Complete Timeline

206 BC

Alliance with RomePolitical Action◆ Major

Masinissa, king of the Massyli tribe in Numidia, allied with Rome during the Second Punic War. He switched sides from Carthage to Rome, providing crucial cavalry support to Scipio Africanus in the African campaign.

Second Punic WarAllianceNumidia

Impact: regional

202 BC

Battle of ZamaWar◆ Major

Masinissa commanded Numidian cavalry at the Battle of Zama, the decisive engagement of the Second Punic War. His cavalry charge routed Hannibal's forces, contributing directly to the Roman victory and the end of the war.

Second Punic WarBattleNumidian Cavalry

Impact: regional

201 BC

Unification of NumidiaPolitical Action◆ Major

After the Second Punic War, Masinissa unified the Numidian tribes under his rule, becoming the first king of a united Numidia. He ruled for over 50 years, expanding his kingdom and promoting agriculture and urbanization.

NumidiaUnificationKingdom

Impact: regionalconstructive

150 BC

Harassment of CarthageWar◆ Major

Masinissa repeatedly encroached on Carthaginian territory, provoking conflicts that Rome used as pretext for the Third Punic War. His aggressive expansionism weakened Carthage and contributed to its eventual destruction.

Third Punic WarCarthageExpansion

Impact: regionaldestructive