Jugurtha

Jugurtha was a king of Numidia who fought a 7-year war against Rome. His story, told by the Roman historian Sallust, made him a symbol of resistance in North Africa. He was born around 160 BC and died in 104 BC in the Tullianum prison, in Rome.

The future king was the grandson of Massinissa, the first king of a united Numidia. His uncle Micipsa, who ruled after Massinissa, adopted him around 120 BC.

As a young man, the prince fought beside the Roman general Scipio Aemilianus at the siege of Numantia, in Spain, in 134 BC. He became very popular among the Numidians.

After Micipsa died in 118 BC, Jugurtha shared the throne with Micipsa's 2 sons. He then fought them for control of the kingdom. In 112 BC he took their capital, Cirta, now Constantine.

That victory angered Rome, which declared war on him. For 7 years the Numidian king resisted Roman armies, until he was captured in 105 BC and taken to Rome.

For Algerians today, he stands for the resistance of their ancestors to Rome. During the colonial period he became a symbol of Berber resistance, and he remains a source of pride for the Amazigh people.