Syphax, Reino de Numida. Unidad de bronce. Jinete a izquierda. 213-202 a.C.

Ancient North Africa - Kings of Numidia - Syphax. Circa 213-202 BC. Bronze unit (10.04 g. 25 mm.)

Diademed and bearded head left.

Horseman galloping left; • and Punic legend "sphq hmmlkt" in cartouche below.

Alexandropoulos 394, 6. Mazard 10; SNG Copenhagen 492.

Good VF, black-dark green original patina. Hit in reverse. Extremely Rare.

Syphax was king of the Masaesyles in western Mauretania. He allied himself with the Carthaginian Hasdrubal, who offered Syphax his daughter Sophonisba in marriage, even though she had already been betrothed to Massinissa, king of Numidia. When Massinissa became an ally of the Romans during the second Punic war, Syphax usurped the Numidian kingdom. After the Carthaginians were defeated, Massinissa regained his throne and took Syphax and Sophonisba prisoner. Massinissa was so taken with Sophonisba that he proposed to her. However, Scipio Africanus forbade the marriage, fearing possible Carthaginian influence over his ally. Faced with becoming a prisoner of the Romans, Sophonisba took the poison which Massinissa offered her. Syphax was not offered that option and died in a Roman prison in 202.

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