| Syphax | |
|---|---|
 Statue of a male in the Vatican museum, called "Syphax, King of Numidia" | |
| King of the Masaesyli | |
| Reign | c. 225 – c. 203 BCE |
| Successor | Vermina |
| Born | 250 BCE Siga |
| Died | 202 BCE Tivoli,Roman Republic |
| Spouse | Sophonisba |
| Issue | Vermina Tanakwa |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Masaesyli |
| Battles / wars | Second Punic War |
Syphax (Ancient Greek:Σύφαξ,Sýphax;[1]Punic:𐤎𐤐𐤒,SPQ)[2][3][4] was a king of theMasaesyli tribe of westernNumidia (present-dayAlgeria) during the last quarter of the 3rd century BC. His story is told inLivy'sAb Urbe Condita (written c. 27–25 BC).[5] He ruled over a territory extending from present dayConstantine toMoulouya.[6][7]
Whena second war broke out betweenCarthage andRome in 218 BC, Syphax was initially sympathetic to theRomans. In 213 BC, he concluded an alliance with the Romans and they sentQuintus Statorius as a military advisor to help Syphax train his troops. He then attacked the rival tribe of eastern Numidians, theMassylians, ruled by KingGala, who at that time were allied to the Carthaginians. When Gala died in 206 BC, his sonsMasinissa andOezalces [fr] quarreled about the inheritance, and Syphax was able to conquer considerable parts of the eastern Numidian kingdom.
After the Roman generalPublius Cornelius Scipio was victorious in theBattle of Ilipa (206 BC), he sent his friendGaius Laelius to visit Syphax to ratify the treaty with Rome. Syphax, however, refused to ratify any treaty except with Scipio, so Scipio sailed with twoquinqueremes to meet with Syphax, taking a considerable risk in doing so. In fact he arrived at the Numidian harbor at exactly the same time asHasdrubal Gisco (who had fled from Spain) anchored there on his way back to Carthage. Scipio's ship managed to make harbor before Gisco's seventriremes could make out to intercept them, and in a neutral harbor, Gisco dared not act against the Romans. Syphax invited both to dinner, where both Syphax and Gisco were taken in by Scipio's charm.[5]: p77
Meanwhile, Masinissa had concluded that Rome was winning the war against Carthage and therefore decided to switch sides. Having lost the alliance with Masinissa, the Carthaginians started to look for another ally, which they found in Syphax. Hasdrubal Gisco sealed the alliance by offering his daughterSophonisba in marriage, although until 206 BC she had been betrothed to Masinissa.
With the reversal of alliances, it seemed that Carthage and Syphax were in a strong position in Africa. During the early stages of Scipio's campaign in North Africa, the joined forces of Syphax and Gisco were able to force Scipio to abandon the siege ofUtica. However, in the 203 BCBattle of the Great Plains, Scipio overcame Gisco and Syphax and while the Roman general concentrated on Carthage, Laelius and Masinissa followed Syphax toCirta.
During the pursuit, Syphax was threatened with desertion by his army when Laelius and Masinissa's army approached the Numidian battle line. In a brave attempt to rally his troops, Syphax rode alone, straight towards the Roman cavalry, but in this desperate attempt his badly wounded horse threw him off. Syphax was pounced upon immediately by Roman soldiers and taken to the ecstatic Masinissa.[5]: p405 Syphax's troops retreated to the capital city which later fell as Masinissa claimed his kingdom. Syphax was delivered to Scipio and was taken back to Rome as a prisoner. He died in Tibur (modernTivoli) in 203 or 202 BC.
In a twist of fate, Sophonisba then married Masinissa. However, Scipio, suspicious of Sophonisba, demanded that she be taken to Rome and appear in thetriumphal parade. To spare her such humiliation, Masinissa sent her poison, with which she killed herself.
