Following Syphax — the Second Punic War

Syphax (d. c. 201 BC), Independent. King of the Masaesyli at Siga, courted by both sides: Rome’s ally in 213, Scipio’s host in 206, Carthage’s son-in-law in 205. Lost everything at the Great Plains and Cirta.

King of the Masaesyli.

A prisoner in Italy; died at Tibur shortly before Scipio’s triumph.

Died May 201 BC. Livy 30.45: died at Tibur not long before the triumph; Polybius 16.23 has Alba, earlier. Disputed.

The itinerary — 9 stops, Summer 213 BC to Spring 201 BC

1. Siga — Summer 213 BC: Receives Roman envoys and centurions to drill his infantry; beaten by Gaia’s son. (Livy 24.48–49)
2. Siga — Summer 206 BC: The banquet with Scipio and Hasdrubal Gisco. (Livy 28.17–18)
3. Siga — Summer 206 BC: Marries Sophonisba; the treaty with Rome is torn up. (Livy 29.23)
4. Cirta — Summer 205 BC: Drives Masinissa out and takes the Massylian kingdom; Cirta becomes his seat. (Livy 29.31–32)
5. The camps before Utica — Summer 204 BC: Fifty thousand foot and ten thousand horse; the camp that burned. (Livy 29.35; 30.3–6)
6. The Great Plains — Spring 203 BC (Livy 30.8)
7. Cirta — Spring 203 BC: Unhorsed and taken before the walls of Cirta. (Livy 30.11–12)
8. Scipio’s camp — Summer 203 BC (Livy 30.13–14)
9. Tibur — Autumn 203 BC: Sent to Rome with Laelius; kept at Alba, then Tibur. (Livy 30.17; 30.45)

Battles fought

• Burning of the Camps — Spring 203 BC — defeat
• Battle of the Great Plains — Spring 203 BC — defeat
• Capture of Syphax and Cirta — Spring 203 BC — defeat