Graham, Alexander: Roman Africa: an outline of the history of the Roman occupation of North Africa ; based chiefly upon inscriptions and monumental remains in that country (London [u.a.], 1902)

Carthage and Rome

15

scheme of colonisation were founded on foolish jealousy and a
fear of creating possible rivals to the world-ruling Romans.'1

The short period of rest, resulting from a more peaceful atti-
tude of the native tribes, enabled the Romans to establish them-
selves securely at Utica, and to construct fortified posts on the
line of frontier. But it soon came to an end. The kingdom of
Numidia, which had been powerful and united under the firm
rule of the great Masinissa, was destined to crumble away
almost as rapidly as it had been formed. Amongst his numerous
family there were only three sons having legitimate claim to his
possessions. Their names were Micipsa, Mastanabal, and
Gulussa. The two last died, or were removed early in life,
leaving Micipsa in sole possession. This potentate had two
sons, Adherbal and Hiempsal. He also took under his charge
an illegitimate son of his brother Mastanabal, named Jugurtha,
whom he educated and trained in the arts of war, and subse-
quently adopted, making him joint heir with his own children.
The name of Jugurtha has been immortalised by the pen of
Sallust, and figures largely in the early history of Roman
Africa. A true Numidian, knowing neither fear nor fatigue,
unscrupulous and cunning, and skilled in the arts of war and
diplomacy, he stands conspicuously in the pages of the Roman
historian, more on account of his heroism and endurance in the
field of battle than for his conduct as the prince of a great
country. The skill and generalship of Quintus Metellus and
Caius Marius, combined with the treachery of his father-in-law
Bocchus, king of Mauritania, brought about his downfall, after
having carried on war against Rome uninterruptedly for nearly
six years. There are few characters with which the schoolboy
is taught to be more familiar, and which more readily excite
transient admiration, than that of Jugurtha. The manly form
and fair countenance of this Numidian prince, his vigour and
intelligence, his wisdom in council, his skill with weapons, and a
certain youthful modesty of demeanour, bearing out the state-
ment of Sallust that ' he performed very much but spoke very
little of himself,' gained for him the affection of his people and
the admiration of his adversaries.

It is at this period that Mauritania, the land of the
Moors, begins to occupy a place in Roman history. At the

1 Quarterly Review, 1879.