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At the commencement of the Second Punic War, Masinissa, a Numidian king, initially allied with Rome.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source indicates that Masinissa was initially allied with Carthage at the start of the Second Punic War, as his father had an alliance with the Carthaginian state.
Masinissa's strategic decision to shift his allegiance to Rome was partially influenced by Scipio Africanus's act of freeing his nephew, Massiva.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source explicitly states that Scipio Africanus freeing Masinissa's nephew, Massiva, was a factor in Masinissa's decision to switch his allegiance to Rome.
Masinissa's father, Gaia, was a chieftain of the Masaesyli tribal group.
Answer: False
Explanation: Masinissa's father, Gaia, was a chieftain of the *Massylii*, not the Masaesyli tribal group.
Masinissa received his early upbringing in Rome, where he acquired military tactics.
Answer: False
Explanation: Masinissa was brought up in Carthage, an ally of his father, not Rome.
Masinissa's inaugural major military campaign involved fighting on behalf of Carthage against Syphax, the king of the Masaesyli.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Masinissa's first major military campaign was fighting for Carthage against Syphax, king of the Masaesyli, achieving a decisive victory.
Prior to his defection to Rome, Masinissa was initially betrothed to Sophonisba.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source indicates that Masinissa was initially betrothed to Sophonisba, the daughter of Carthaginian general Hasdrubal Gisco, before his defection to Rome. She was later married to Syphax.
Following Hasdrubal Barca's departure, Masinissa assumed command of all Carthaginian infantry in Hispania.
Answer: False
Explanation: After Hasdrubal Barca's departure, Masinissa was placed in command of all Carthaginian *cavalry* in Spain, not infantry.
Carthage's dominion over Hispania was decisively broken at the Battle of Ilipa, where Masinissa provided support to Scipio Africanus.
Answer: False
Explanation: At the Battle of Ilipa, Masinissa's Numidian cavalry supported Carthaginian generals Mago Barca and Hasdrubal Gisco, not Scipio Africanus. The battle resulted in a victory for Scipio, breaking Carthage's power.
Following Gaia's death, a dispute between Masinissa and his brother Oezalces enabled Syphax to conquer portions of eastern Numidia.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source states that after Gaia's death, Masinissa and Oezalces quarreled over inheritance, which allowed Syphax to conquer significant portions of eastern Numidia.
Masinissa's Numidian cavalry played a crucial role in Carthaginian victories in Hispania, including the Battles of Castulo and Ilorca.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source states that Masinissa commanded his skilled Numidian cavalry, contributing to Carthaginian victories such as the Battles of Castulo and Ilorca in 211 BC.
At the very outset of the Second Punic War, what was Masinissa's allegiance?
Answer: Carthage
Explanation: At the start of the Second Punic War, Masinissa was allied with Carthage, continuing his father's alliance with the Carthaginian state.
What constituted a pivotal factor in Masinissa's strategic decision to transfer his allegiance from Carthage to Rome?
Answer: The Carthaginians being driven from Hispania and Scipio Africanus freeing his nephew.
Explanation: Masinissa's decision to switch allegiance was influenced by the Carthaginians being driven from Hispania and Scipio Africanus freeing his nephew, Massiva, solidifying his belief in Rome's eventual victory.
Who was Masinissa's father?
Answer: Gaia
Explanation: Masinissa was the son of Gaia, a chieftain of the Massylii tribal group.
In which city did Masinissa receive his early upbringing?
Answer: Carthage
Explanation: Masinissa was brought up in Carthage, an ally of his father, Gaia.
What was Masinissa's inaugural significant military campaign during the Second Punic War?
Answer: Fighting for Carthage against Syphax, king of the Masaesyli.
Explanation: Masinissa's first major military campaign was fighting for Carthage against Syphax, king of the Masaesyli, achieving a decisive victory.
Prior to his defection to Rome, to whom was Masinissa initially betrothed?
Answer: Sophonisba.
Explanation: Masinissa was initially betrothed to Sophonisba, the daughter of Carthaginian general Hasdrubal Gisco, before his defection to Rome.
Following Hasdrubal Barca's departure for Italy, what military command did Masinissa undertake?
Answer: Command of all Carthaginian cavalry in Spain.
Explanation: After Hasdrubal Barca departed for Italy, Masinissa was placed in command of all Carthaginian cavalry in Spain.
Which battle marked the decisive end of Carthage's power over Hispania, and what was Masinissa's involvement?
Answer: Battle of Ilipa, where his Numidian cavalry supported Carthaginian generals Mago Barca and Hasdrubal Gisco.
Explanation: Carthage's power over Hispania was broken at the Battle of Ilipa, where Masinissa's Numidian cavalry supported Carthaginian generals Mago Barca and Hasdrubal Gisco against Scipio Africanus.
What significant historical event is illustrated by the image caption 'Scipio Africanus freeing Massiva'?
Answer: An act of goodwill by Scipio that influenced Masinissa's alliance with Rome.
Explanation: The image caption 'Scipio Africanus freeing Massiva' represents an act of goodwill by Scipio that played a role in Masinissa's decision to ally with Rome.
At the Battle of Zama, Masinissa commanded the cavalry on Scipio's left wing.
Answer: False
Explanation: Masinissa commanded the cavalry on Scipio's *right* wing at the Battle of Zama, not the left.
Sophonisba, Masinissa's wife, was subjected to the humiliation of being paraded in a Roman triumph, as demanded by Scipio Africanus.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Scipio demanded Sophonisba be paraded in a Roman triumph, Masinissa sent her poison to spare her this humiliation, which she used to take her own life.
Masinissa joined Roman forces in Africa in 204 BC and subsequently participated in the Battle of the Great Plains.
Answer: True
Explanation: Masinissa joined Scipio's Roman forces in Africa in 204 BC and participated in the victorious Battle of the Great Plains in 203 BC.
Following the Battle of Bagbrades, Syphax was personally captured by Scipio Africanus.
Answer: False
Explanation: After the Battle of Bagbrades, Syphax was pursued and captured by Gaius Laelius and Masinissa, then handed over to Scipio, not captured by Scipio himself.
Rome rewarded Masinissa by appointing him king of the Masaesyli, a western Numidian tribe.
Answer: False
Explanation: Rome rewarded Masinissa by granting him the Kingdom of Syphax and confirming him as king of the *Massylii*, effectively making him King of Numidia, not specifically the Masaesyli.
Following Masinissa's defection, Hasdrubal Gisco formed an alliance with Syphax, which was cemented by Syphax's marriage to Hasdrubal's daughter, Sophonisba.
Answer: True
Explanation: After Masinissa's defection, Hasdrubal Gisco allied with Syphax, and this alliance was sealed by Syphax marrying Sophonisba, Hasdrubal's daughter, who had previously been betrothed to Masinissa.
What crucial role did Masinissa's cavalry perform in the Battle of Zama?
Answer: They drove away Carthaginian horsemen and then attacked Hannibal's army from the rear.
Explanation: At the Battle of Zama, Masinissa's cavalry drove away the Carthaginian horsemen and then returned to attack the rear of Hannibal's army, a critical maneuver for the Roman victory.
As described in historical accounts, what was the ultimate fate of Sophonisba, Masinissa's wife?
Answer: Masinissa sent her poison to spare her the humiliation of a Roman triumph, which she used to take her own life.
Explanation: To spare Sophonisba the humiliation of being paraded in a Roman triumph, Masinissa sent her poison, which she used to take her own life.
In what year did Masinissa join the Roman forces in Africa, and what notable battle marked his participation?
Answer: 204 BC, Battle of the Great Plains.
Explanation: Masinissa joined the Roman forces when Scipio invaded Africa in 204 BC and participated in the Battle of the Great Plains in 203 BC.
What specific rewards did Rome grant Masinissa for his loyalty and service during the Second Punic War?
Answer: He received the Kingdom of Syphax and was confirmed as King of Numidia.
Explanation: For his services and loyalty, Masinissa received the Kingdom of Syphax and was confirmed by Scipio as the King of Numidia.
The Kingdom of Numidia was founded by Masinissa with the strategic backing of Carthage.
Answer: False
Explanation: The source clarifies that Masinissa established the Kingdom of Numidia with the support of Rome, not Carthage.
Masinissa's reign spanned 54 years, and he died at the age of 90, reportedly still actively leading troops.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Masinissa ruled for 54 years and died at the age of 90, maintaining his vigor and leading troops until his death.
The Greek historian Polybius lauded Masinissa for his achievement in transforming Numidia into a highly productive agricultural region.
Answer: True
Explanation: Polybius specifically highlighted Masinissa's 'greatest and most divine achievement' as transforming Numidia into a productive agricultural land, earning it the moniker 'breadbasket of Rome'.
Cirta, presently Constantine, was designated as the capital of Masinissa's unified Numidian kingdom.
Answer: True
Explanation: Masinissa established Cirta, modern-day Constantine in Algeria, as the capital city of his new Kingdom of Numidia.
Masinissa's principal objective was to preserve Numidia as a predominantly nomadic society.
Answer: False
Explanation: Masinissa's primary objective was to build a strong and unified state from the previously semi-nomadic Numidian tribes, encouraging settlement and agricultural practices.
Masinissa implemented Carthaginian agricultural techniques to promote the settlement of Numidians as farmers.
Answer: True
Explanation: To achieve his goal of a unified state, Masinissa introduced Carthaginian agricultural techniques and compelled many Numidians to settle as peasant farmers.
In 179 BC, Masinissa was honored with a golden crown from Delos for providing them with a shipload of grain.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Masinissa received a golden crown and a statue from the inhabitants of Delos in 179 BC for offering them a shipload of grain.
Masinissa was noted for fathering 44 sons, a testament to his long and active life.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source mentions Masinissa was noted for fathering some 44 sons, indicating a long and active life.
Which of the following best describes Masinissa's primary historical role?
Answer: Establishing the Kingdom of Numidia by uniting Berber tribes.
Explanation: Masinissa is primarily known for uniting the Massylii Berber tribes and establishing the Kingdom of Numidia, transforming a collection of tribes into a unified state.
What was the duration of Masinissa's reign, and at what age did he pass away?
Answer: 54 years, died at 90.
Explanation: Masinissa ruled for 54 years and died at the age of 90, reportedly still leading troops with vigor.
As per Polybius, what constituted Masinissa's 'greatest and most divine achievement'?
Answer: Transforming Numidia into a productive agricultural land, the 'breadbasket of Rome'.
Explanation: Polybius praised Masinissa for transforming Numidia from an unproductive land into a fertile agricultural region, which he called his 'greatest and most divine achievement'.
Which city served as the capital of Masinissa's newly established Kingdom of Numidia?
Answer: Cirta (modern-day Constantine)
Explanation: Masinissa established Cirta, modern-day Constantine in Algeria, as the capital city of his new Kingdom of Numidia.
What constituted Masinissa's principal objective for Numidia throughout his reign?
Answer: To build a strong and unified state from the previously semi-nomadic Numidian tribes.
Explanation: Masinissa's chief aim was to build a strong and unified state from the previously semi-nomadic Numidian tribes, consolidating power and creating a more stable kingdom.
What specific honors were bestowed upon Masinissa by the inhabitants of Delos in 179 BC?
Answer: A golden crown and a statue in his honor for offering a shipload of grain.
Explanation: In 179 BC, Masinissa received a golden crown and a statue in his honor from the inhabitants of Delos for offering them a shipload of grain.
Which of the following towns was an integral part of Masinissa's Numidian kingdom?
Answer: Thugga (modern Dougga)
Explanation: Thugga (modern Dougga) was one of the major towns within Masinissa's Numidian kingdom.
How was Masinissa's reputation characterized as both a ruler and an ally?
Answer: A staunch ally of Rome and an unusually vigorous ruler.
Explanation: Masinissa was regarded as a staunch ally of Rome and an unusually vigorous ruler, known for leading troops until his death.
The peace treaty of 201 BC permitted Carthage to engage in defensive military actions without requiring Roman permission.
Answer: False
Explanation: The peace treaty of 201 BC explicitly prohibited Carthage from engaging in any war, even in self-defense, without Roman permission.
Masinissa's persistent territorial expansion and raids into Carthaginian territories were a significant factor in precipitating the Third Punic War.
Answer: True
Explanation: Masinissa provoked Carthage into triggering the Third Punic War by continuously extending his territory and raiding Carthaginian lands, leading Carthage to respond militarily in violation of its treaty with Rome.
Masinissa suffered a defeat by the Punics at the Battle of Oroscopa in 151 BC.
Answer: False
Explanation: Masinissa *defeated* the Punics at the Battle of Oroscopa in 151 BC, not suffered defeat.
Marcus Porcius Cato advocated for an alliance with Carthage as a countermeasure to Masinissa's increasing influence.
Answer: False
Explanation: Marcus Porcius Cato famously advocated for the complete destruction of Carthage, driven by fear of a Carthaginian revival and suspicion of Masinissa's ambitions, not an alliance with Carthage.
The Third Punic War was initiated by an unprovoked Roman attack on Carthage.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Third Punic War was triggered by Carthage's decision to go to war against Masinissa's Numidia in self-defense, which violated its peace treaty with Rome.
In what way did the 201 BC peace treaty between Rome and Carthage prove advantageous to Masinissa?
Answer: It allowed him to expand his territory by encroaching on Carthaginian lands, as Carthage was prohibited from engaging in war without Roman permission.
Explanation: The 201 BC peace treaty prohibited Carthage from engaging in war without Roman permission, which enabled Masinissa to expand his territory by encroaching on Carthaginian lands with Roman backing.
In what specific ways did Masinissa contribute to the initiation of the Third Punic War?
Answer: He continuously extended his territory and raided Carthaginian lands, provoking Carthage into military action.
Explanation: Masinissa provoked Carthage into triggering the Third Punic War by continuously extending his territory and raiding Carthaginian lands, which led Carthage to respond militarily in violation of its treaty with Rome.
Who was Marcus Porcius Cato, and what was his influential position regarding Carthage?
Answer: A Roman statesman who advocated for the complete destruction of Carthage.
Explanation: Marcus Porcius Cato, or Cato the Elder, was a Roman statesman who famously advocated for the complete destruction of Carthage.
What specific event served as the immediate catalyst for the Third Punic War?
Answer: Carthage's decision to go to war against Masinissa's Numidia in self-defense, violating its treaty with Rome.
Explanation: The immediate trigger for the Third Punic War was Carthage's decision to go to war against Masinissa's Numidia in self-defense, which directly defied its peace treaty with Rome.
Masinissa's tomb is situated in modern-day Tunis, Tunisia.
Answer: False
Explanation: Masinissa's tomb is located in Cirta, which is modern-day Constantine in Algeria, not Tunis.
Masinissa is widely regarded by the Berbers as a significant historical figure and an ancestral forefather.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source states that Masinissa is largely viewed as an icon by the Berbers, many of whom consider him their forefather.
Masinissa was succeeded on the throne of Numidia by his son Juba I.
Answer: False
Explanation: Masinissa was succeeded by his son Micipsa. Juba I was a later descendant, not an immediate successor.
Masinissa is featured as a character in Petrarch's epic poem *Africa*.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source confirms that Masinissa is featured in *Africa*, an epic poem written by Petrarch in the late 1330s.
The 1914 Italian silent film *Cabiria* portrayed Masinissa, with Vitale Di Stefano in the role.
Answer: True
Explanation: Masinissa is featured in *Cabiria*, a 1914 Italian silent film, where he was portrayed by Vitale Di Stefano.
In the 1971 Italian film *Scipio the African*, Woody Strode depicted Masinissa.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source states that Woody Strode portrayed Masinissa in the 1971 Italian film *Scipio the African*.
David Anthony Durham's 2005 novel, *Pride of Carthage*, features Masinissa as a character.
Answer: True
Explanation: Masinissa is a character in *Pride of Carthage*, a novel written by David Anthony Durham in 2005.
The Libyco-Punic Mausoleum of Dougga is definitively identified as Masinissa's primary burial site.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Libyco-Punic Mausoleum of Dougga is *speculated* to be a cenotaph for Masinissa, while his tomb is located in Cirta (Constantine), not definitively identified as his primary burial site.
Livy's *History of Rome* constitutes the exclusive historical source for information regarding Masinissa.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Livy's *History of Rome* is a main source, Cicero's *Scipio's Dream* also provides information about Masinissa, indicating it is not the sole source.
Juba II was among Masinissa's immediate successors to the Numidian throne.
Answer: False
Explanation: Masinissa was succeeded by his son Micipsa. Juba II was a later descendant, not an immediate successor.
The inscription 'MSNSN' found on Masinissa's tomb is interpreted as 'Their Lord'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The inscription 'MSNSN' on Masinissa's tomb is indeed read as Mas'n'sen, meaning 'Their Lord'.
Which two principal ancient texts serve as the primary historical sources for information concerning Masinissa?
Answer: Livy's *History of Rome* and Cicero's *Scipio's Dream*
Explanation: The main historical sources for information about Masinissa are Livy's *History of Rome* and Cicero's *Scipio's Dream*.
What is the geographical location of Masinissa's tomb?
Answer: Cirta (modern-day Constantine), Algeria
Explanation: Masinissa's tomb is located in Cirta, which is modern-day Constantine in Algeria.
Who was Masinissa's immediate successor to the Numidian throne?
Answer: Micipsa
Explanation: After Masinissa's death, his son Micipsa succeeded him to the throne of Numidia.
Which 1680 German mourning play features Masinissa as a character, specifically highlighting his narrative with Sophonisba?
Answer: *Sophonisbe*
Explanation: The German mourning play *Sophonisbe*, written in 1680 by Daniel Casper von Lohenstein, includes Masinissa as a character, focusing on his tragic story with Sophonisba.
Which historical novel, published in 2005, prominently features Masinissa as a character?
Answer: *Pride of Carthage*
Explanation: Masinissa is a character in *Pride of Carthage*, a novel written by David Anthony Durham in 2005.