Numidia in the 2nd century BC, with the Masaesyli in the west.

The Masaesyli[needs IPA] were a Berber tribe of western Numidia (central and western Algeria)[1][2] and the main antagonists of the Massylii in eastern Numidia.

Coin of Vermina, King of Masaesyli, c. 200 BC. Depicts a galloping horse and the Phoenician text WRMNDH MMLKT, "Vermina the king."

During the Second Punic War the Masaesyli initially supported the Roman Republic and were led by Syphax against the Massylii, who were led by Masinissa, as an ally of the Carthaginian Republic. After Masinissa and the Massylii switched sides to Rome, the Masaesyli turned against Rome and allied with Hasdrubal Gisco. Syphax was defeated, however, and spent the remainder of his days in Roman captivity, while his tribe was assimilated into the kingdom of Masinissa.[3]

Notes

  1. ^ Jeremy McInerney (2014). A Companion to Ethnicity in the Ancient Mediterranean. John Wiley & Sons. p. 535. ISBN 978-1-118-83438-1.
  2. ^ Good, John (1819). Pantologia. A new (cabinet) cyclopædia.
  3. ^ "The Masaesyli and Massylii of Numidia". World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
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