The impact of the military aspect on the Roman and Carthaginian relationship in Numidia

Abstract

The military organization remains the backbone of every kingdom or state and is the fruit of its development, continuity, and steadfastness in the face of the internal and external conflicts it faces. Numidia proved its existence with the presence of two major conflicting powers, Rome and Carthage, with the end of the First Punic War in the year (241 BC). Carthage faced many crises, the most important of which was the revolt of mercenary soldiers. During the period of the Second Punic War (218-202 BC), Numidia was divided into two kingdoms, the Masil and the Masil. Western Numidia is bordered by the Kingdom of the Moors to the west and the Massile to the east, ruled by Syphax and its capital, Siqa. These two kingdoms played a major role in the Roman Carthaginian events, as Carthage failed to ally with the two kingdoms. Masencia began to feel the danger looming over him from Carthage. What is worse is that she had a hand in moving the events with her ally, King of Syphax. Western Numidia, which took a spectator position from these events and denied his great services by standing by its side from the year (212 BC to 207 BC) in Spain, this is what made Masencia reconsider his alliances, and thus Rome found an opportunity to intervene by wooing him, and here the Romans and their ally, Masencia, fought battles. Numerous battles against Carthage and Siphax, the most important of which are: the Battle of Utica (204 BC), the Battle of the Great Plains (203 BC), and the Battle of Zama (202 BC). With the signing of the Treaty of Zama, a new phase of the Carthaginian-Roman-Numidian conflict began.