Syphax d. 203-2 BC

Numidian king of the Masaesyles of western Numidia. He was first allied with the Romans against Carthage then, under the influence of his wife Sophonisbe he changed camp. Syphax was defeated and captured at the Battle of the Great Plains near Utica, in what is now Tunisia (203), by the Roman commander Gaius Laelius in Scipio Africanus' campaign of the Second Punic War. Syphax had earlier (c. 206) expelled his rival Masinissa, who subsequently ruled much of North Africa with Roman support. He was defeated and taken prisoner by Scipio and died in Rome 203 ou 202 BC.

The modern Tunisian city of Sfax may (or may not) be named after him.

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