Jugurthine War: the story on HearLore

Jugurthine War

In 118 BC, the Numidian king Micipsa died and left his kingdom to three heirs. His two sons Adherbal and Hiempsal I shared power with their illegitimate nephew Jugurtha. The new arrangement fractured immediately after Micipsa's death. Jugurtha moved quickly to eliminate his rivals. He sent agents to assassinate Hiempsal I in a brutal act of political violence. Adherbal fled to Rome seeking protection from the Senate. Jugurtha declared open war on his cousin and defeated him in battle. This conflict marked the beginning of a long struggle for control over North Africa.

Bribes In The Senate

Roman officials accepted money from Jugurtha during peace negotiations starting in 116 BC. Lucius Opimius led a commission tasked with dividing Numidia fairly between Adherbal and Jugurtha. The bribery ensured Jugurtha received the fertile western half while Adherbal got the poorer eastern territory. When Adherbal resisted this outcome, Jugurtha attacked again in 113 BC. He besieged Adherbal inside Cirta until provisions ran out. Roman citizens defending the city were executed along with their king. The deaths sparked outrage among commoners at home but did not stop the corruption. A tribune named Gaius Memmius demanded an investigation into the treaty terms.

Consuls Who Failed

Lucius Calpurnius Bestia commanded Roman forces against Jugurtha in 112 BC. He negotiated a lenient treaty that restored Numidia intact to Jugurtha in exchange for bribes. The treaty included only a small fine and the return of war-elephants which Jugurtha later bought back cheaply. Spurius Postumius Albinus took command the following year and failed to act energetically. His brother Aulus Postumius Albinus marched into the Sahara desert in mid-winter. Jugurtha lured the Romans into disadvantageous terrain where half the army was killed. Survivors passed under a yoke as a symbol of surrender. The Senate refused to honor this capitulation and continued the war.

Who were the three heirs of Numidia after Micipsa died in 118 BC?

Micipsa left his kingdom to two sons Adherbal and Hiempsal I along with their illegitimate nephew Jugurtha. This arrangement fractured immediately after Micipsa's death when Jugurtha moved to eliminate his rivals.

When did the Roman Senate refuse to honor the surrender of Spurius Postumius Albinus during the war?

The Senate refused to honor this capitulation after Spurius Postumius Albinus failed to act energetically against Jugurtha in 112 BC. His brother Aulus Postumius Albinus marched into the Sahara desert in mid-winter where half the army was killed before survivors passed under a yoke as a symbol of surrender.

What strategy did Gaius Marius use to recruit soldiers for the legions in 107 BC?

Gaius Marius arrived in Numidia as consul in 107 BC and exempted property requirements so poor Romans could serve in the legions. He marched west plundering countryside and seizing minor fortresses while executing all survivors at Capsa after the town surrendered.

How did Lucius Cornelius Sulla capture Jugurtha from Bocchus king of Mauretania?

Lucius Cornelius Sulla served as quaestor under Marius and negotiated with Bocchus to receive Jugurtha as a political hostage. Sulla entered Bocchus' camp despite risks of treachery on the Mauritanian's part until Jugurtha's remaining followers were massacred by Bocchus who then handed over the king in chains.

When was Jugurtha executed after appearing in Marius's triumph in Rome?

Jugurtha was thrown into the Tullianum underground prison in Rome and executed after appearing in Marius's triumph in 104 BC. This event marked the end of the conflict which exposed deep corruption within Roman politics from 111 to 105 BC.

Jugurthine War

Bribes In The Senate

Consuls Who Failed

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Common questions

Who were the three heirs of Numidia after Micipsa died in 118 BC?

When did the Roman Senate refuse to honor the surrender of Spurius Postumius Albinus during the war?

What strategy did Gaius Marius use to recruit soldiers for the legions in 107 BC?

How did Lucius Cornelius Sulla capture Jugurtha from Bocchus king of Mauretania?

When was Jugurtha executed after appearing in Marius's triumph in Rome?

Metellus And Discipline

Marius Reforms Army

Sulla Seizes Power

Ethics And Decline