The Jugurthine War 112-106 BC

 This new Campaign series book by Nic Fields covers Rome's long war in North Africa, against the Numidians. The war is named after King Jugurtha of Numidia.

Numidia had been a client kingdom of Rome since the Second Punic War. Jugurtha had served with Roman forces in Spain, where he learned how Roman politics could be manipulated through bribery. Soon after King Micipsa’s death in 118 BC, Jugurtha murdered his son Hiempsal and forced the other son, Adherbal, into exile. Rome intervened diplomatically, dividing Numidia between Jugurtha and Adherbal, but Jugurtha later attacked Adherbal again. Jugurtha captured Cirta, Adherbal’s capital and executed him. Several Italian merchants were killed during the siege, and Roman public opinion, inflamed by the deaths of Roman allies and blatant senatorial corruption, pushed the Senate to declare war.

The early Roman campaigns were deliberately inconclusive or outright sabotaged (at least according to Sallust), resulting in a humiliating treaty in 110 BC, which allowed Jugurtha to escape punishment. A special commission exposed corruption among Roman nobles. Jugurtha famously remarked that Rome was “a city for sale,” if only a buyer could be found.

Gaius Marius was elected consul and reformed recruitment by enrolling landless citizens, laying the groundwork for long-term changes in the Roman army. Marius conducted a more aggressive and disciplined campaign in Numidia, forcing Jugurtha to fight a guerrilla war. Lucius Sulla negotiated with Bocchus I, King of Mauretania and Jugurtha’s father-in-law, who handed him over to the Romans in 106 BC for execution.

This book follows the usual Campaign format. There is an introduction followed by a detailed breakdown of the commanders and the opposing armies. The Numidians included the aggressive light cavalry, made famous by Hannibal, as well as javelin-armed light infantry. However, by this period, there were also troops raised and paid for on the Roman model. While they couldn't face a Roman army in open battle, they could engage in asymmetric warfare against a largely infantry army. At least during the early campaigns, Roman armies fought in a manner similar to that of the Punic Wars.

The core of the book describes the campaigns, aided by excellent maps and colour plates. This includes the civil war and the Roman interventions. The falling out between Marius and Sulla would have long-term repercussions. The Senate did not annexe Numidia, giving half of its territory instead to Bocchus, as a reward for his treachery, and half to Gauda, the halfwitted half-brother of Jugurtha. Divide and rule is always the choice of empires.

If, like me, you have built up Punic War armies, then this is an alternative use for your Numidians and Romans. The Battle of Muthul, 109 BC, would make a good scenario for a larger battle using Strength and Honour, with the Romans deploying two legions. In 28mm, there are countless small-scale actions. 

Some of my 2mm Numidians for Strength and Honour. Warbases figures.

Some of my 28mm Numidians. Carthage was my first wargames army, so I suspect these are very old from a long-forgotten range. Too dark skinned as well.