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Jugurtha
(c. 160- Rome 104 BCE) King of Numidia (113- 104 BCE).
Jugurtha was the grandson of King Masinissa, but after the death of King Micipsa in 118, Numidia was divided between the heirs.
Jugurtha used all his skill to get rid of his competitors, and he went so far that he was summoned to Rome to be explain his acts. Jugurtha, who had bribed the Roman aristocracy with loads of gold, went to Rome in full assurance that nothing would harm him. In front of the Senate, it was declared that he did not have to explain himself, and he could return to Numidia.
Finally, in 111, Rome decided to take light military acts towards him, primarily to defend their position in this province. But as Jugurtha went on killing rivals and opponents, it soon escalated to war against Rome. Little was achieved by expose his weakness, and he used the desert to hide in or move through so that he always could get around the Roman troops.
After years of humiliation, the Roman commander Metellus was accused for not wanting to end the war, and he was replaced in 107 with Marius.
After only moderate successes, Marius' men managed in 105 to win Jugurtha's father-in-law, Bocchus of Mauritania, over to his side. Bocchus betrayed Jugurtha, so that Jugurtha was captured when he came to a meeting with the Romans.
Jugurtha was led to Rome, put up on a display through the streets, where he was dressed up as a king. At the end of the procession, his clothes and jewels were torn off him, and he was thrown into a cold prison cell. He died after 6 days from the cold and starvation.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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