Bocchus I

Bocchus, was a king of Mauretania from about 110 BC to 80 BC and designated by historians as Bocchus I. He was also the father-in-law and son-in-law of Jugurtha[1][2], with whom he made war against the Romans. In the end, he made peace with Rome, delivering Jugurtha to the Romans in 105 BC.[1]

Bocchus I
King of Mauretania
Reignc. 110 – c. 80s BC
SuccessorMastanesosus[1]
BornMauretania

Life and Family

Very little is known about Bocchus I and his kingdom during his time from historical sources. Sallust in his book Bellum Iugurthinum mentions that[3]:

All the Moors were ruled by king Bocchus, who knew nothing of the Roman people save their name and was in turn unknown to us before that time either in peace or in war.

— Gaius Sallustius Crispus, Chapter 19, Bellum Iugurthinum

According to Sallust, Bocchus had many wives, following the custom of Berber Moorish and Numidian leaders and kings.[2] Of Bocchus's children only 4 are known to history: one daughter, whose name is unknown, married Jugurtha, and three sons, Sosus or Mastanesosus his royal successor, Volux, who was old enough to command troops, and another son named Bogud. It is likely that Bocchus I was the son or grandson of King Baga of Mauretania, who lived at the same time as King Massinissa of Numidia.[1]

Jugurthine War

In 108 BC, he vacillated between Jugurtha and the Romans, and joined Jugurtha only on his promising him the third part of his kingdom. The two kings were defeated by the Romans at the Second Battle of Cirta. After the battle Bocchus started making overtures to the Romans again, and after an interview with Sulla, who was Gaius Marius's Quaestor at that time, sent ambassadors to Rome. In Rome the hope of an alliance was encouraged, but on condition that Bocchus showed himself deserving of it. After further negotiations with Sulla, he finally agreed to send a message to Jugurtha requesting his presence. Jugurtha fell into the trap and was given up to Sulla. Bocchus concluded a treaty with the Romans, and a portion of Numidia was added to his kingdom. Further to conciliate the Romans and especially Sulla, he sent to the Capitol a group of Victories guarding a device in gold showing Bocchus handing over Jugurtha to Sulla.[4]

King Bocchus I maintained good relations with Rome afterwards, supplying Romans with North African panthers and lions for entertainment.[1]

Successors

Bocchus I was the father of Mastanesosus,[1] and grandfather of Bocchus II and Bogud, both of whom inherited the kingdom and split it between them. Bocchus II eventually acquired Bogud's half of the kingdom. After his death in 33 BC, Mauretania became a client state of Rome.[5]

See also

References
  1. Camps, Gabriel (1991). "Bocchus". Encyclopédie berbère. 10 | Beni Isguen – Bouzeis. Aix-en-Provence: Edisud. pp. 1544–1546.
  2. Gaius Sallustius Crispus. The War with Jugurtha, part 3. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  3. Gaius Sallustius Crispus. The War with Jugurtha, part 1. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  4.  One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Bocchus". Encyclopædia Britannica. 4 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 106. This cites:
    • Sallust, Jugartha, 80-120
    • Plutarch, Marius, 8-32, Sulla, 3
    • A. H. J. Greenidge, History of Rome (London, 1904).
  5. Chisholm 1911.
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