When we think of Ancient Rome, we picture it as a mighty and unstoppable empire. Its legions conquered everything in their path while its Senate managed a nation stretching from the UK to Iraq. But while that was certainly true, Rome had no shortage of enemies who brought the Republic to its knees.
From Hannibal of Carthage who marched his armies across the Alps to invade Italy, to Mithradates IV of Pontus who remained unchecked for nearly two decades, many knew how to defeat Rome. One man who isn’t as well known but no less destructive was Jugurtha, king of Numidia (modern-day Algeria.) While he wasn’t all-powerful or undefeated, he could ravage Rome from within using their own corruption.
Jugrtha’s War on Rome
Jugurtha was the illegitimate grandson of King Masinissa, a powerful Roman ally who ruled the kingdom of Numidia. Masinissa’s successor was his nephew, Micipsa took charge after his uncle’s death, and it was there that Jugurtha entered the scene. Though a bastard, the young prince became so popular among the Numidians that Micipsa sent him away to the Romans to help in their wars to prevent him from becoming a threat.
Jugurtha proved to be an able ally and even won the favor of the Roman general Scipio Africanus the Younger, who convinced Micipsa to adopt Jugurtha. This complicated succession was when Micipsa died, his kingdom was split between his sons and Jugurtha.
Jugurtha then began systematically removing his rivals. As a Roman ally, Micipsa’s sons appealed to Rome for help, but Jugurtha’s understanding of the Roman political system allowed him to bribe his critics into silence, preventing the Romans from taking serious action and allowing him to take all of Numidia.
It was only after he conquered all of Numida and slew several Romans did Rome finally intervened, declaring war on Jugurtha. The conflict unfolded with Jugurtha proving resilient against Roman forces, exploiting political divisions and incompetence among Roman generals.
Even while they warred with him, Jugurtha would continue to bribe Roman officials to grant him favorable terms, ensuring that Rome was often fighting with one hand behind its back. It was only with the arrival of Gaius Marius, who implemented military reforms and pursued Jugurtha with renewed vigor.
Ironically enough, Jugurtha’s fall came not from war, but bribery as Rome managed to bribe one of his allies to surrender Jugurtha to the Romans. His story reflects the tensions within the Roman Republic, exposing corruption and incompetence within the ruling class and how it would all come crashing down.
It was so blatant that Jugurtha was said to have remarked.
“Rome is a city for sale and doomed to speedy destruction if it finds a purchaser!”
-Jugurtha, King of Numidia.
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