Numidia

The history of Numidia is one marked by frequent wars. In 286 BC, Numidia is split into two parts, each part of it supporting its eacyh side iun the Punic Wars. The western part of Numidia is led by Syfax, and supports Hannibal, while the eastern part is led by Masinissa, who started to support the Romans this year, as he was steadily losing ground to Syfax.

In 206 BC Rome wins over Carthage, and all of Numidia is put under the rule of Masinissa, as thanks for his support under the Punic Wars. Masinissa's chief aim was to build a strong and unified state from the semi-nomadic Numidian tribes. To this end he introduced Carthaginian agricultural techniques and forced many Numidians to settle as peasant farmers.

In 148 BC Masinissa dies, and Numidia is for a while divided into several kingdoms, each one squabbling for the control of the whole province.

In 113 BC Jugurtha, one of Masinissa's grandsons ascends to power, and he unites Numidia beneath him. Jugurtha fought the Romans and led a winning war until he was betrayed by his father-in-law, and the Romans captured him. The Romans again had control over Numidia. King Juba I took control over Numidia. Juda I sides with Pompey during the Roman civil war, and fought on Metullus Scipio's side, but took his own life after Caesar's victory at Thapsus. Even though Juda I was defeated, his son, Juba II, was educated in Rome and reinstated as king of Numidia, and then of Mauretania.

When Caesar won the civil war Numidia lost all independence, and became part of the Roman province Ifriqia Nova. With Juba II as king, the region flourished subsequently for several centuries, until the 5th century, when Numidia was conquered by the Vandals. Later on, in the 8th century, the Arabs tooks control of Numidia.