Archival Overview
Powerful King of the Masaesyli Numidians of western Algeria, who established Siga as his capital, commanded 50,000 warriors, and was courted by both Rome and Carthage in the Second Punic War.
Biographical Record
Syphax (c. 250–202 BCE) ruled the vast western Numidian kingdom stretching from the Mulucha river (Moulouya) to Cirta. Highly cultured and militarily formidable, he was initially allied with Scipio against Carthage, receiving Roman centurions to train his infantry into Roman-style maniples.
In 206 BCE, Carthaginian statesman Hasdrubal Gisco offered Syphax the hand of the celebrated noblewoman Sophonisba in marriage, winning him over to the Carthaginian alliance. Besieged and defeated by Scipio and Masinissa at the Battle of the Great Plains in 203 BCE, Syphax was captured in chains, dying in honorable internment in Italy.
Key Life Milestones
Alliance with Scipio Africanus
Received Roman military instructors to organize the first disciplined Numidian heavy infantry battalions.
Battle of the Great Plains
Fought Scipio and Masinissa with 50,000 soldiers, captured after a desperate cavalry charge.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
0 messages recordedLeave a Respectful Tribute
Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialTivoli, Italy