Saphonbaal (english version) part I

Who was that?
The Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquity (Schlimmer / de Boer 1910) defines them as follows:
"Sophonisbe: daughter of the carthaginian general Hasdrubal. She harbored an implacable hatred against Rome. Therefore Scipio demanded her extradition for fear that Masinissa's wedding would not be sustained eventually at Sophonisbe's insinuations.”

It is not that simple. Here blindly is followed the opinion of the classical authors Livy and Appian, who a few centuries after her wrote their books. However, Polybius (200-120 BC) was almost a contemporary of her and keep it in the short notice: the wife of King Syphax begged him to stand up for Carthage in these tough times. He did not even mention her name here. Now it may be that Polybius was very brief in his reporting. Later authors come forward with a lot of stories about her person. Are they all dreaming, or is there still a ground of truth?

The name:
Sophonibaal.
Ṣpnb'l (pun), Sophonibas (g), Sophoni(s)ba / Suphunibal (lat).
Meaning: My Saphon Baal / My nook is Baal.

traditions:
Polyb.XIV 1.7
Diod. XXVII 7
App. Iber 37, Punic wars II 10 Lib.27-28.
Liv.XXIX 23.4, 12.10 to 15.10 XXX
Zon.IX 11

literature:
Benz, names p 177-178, 401-402

Jongeling, names p 246

 

 

 

 

Or how a woman in a small supporting role in the version of Polybius play a leading role in later historian stories. Assuming that every surviving passage contains a basis of truth, then the story chronologically is more or less as follows:

Appianus. The Punic Wars II, 10:

“There were many chieftains in Numidia who had separate dominions. Syphax occupied the highest place among them and was held in special honour by the others. There was also a certain Masinissa, son of the king of the Massylians, a powerful tribe. He had been brought up and educated at Carthage and being a handsome man, of noble character, Hasdrubal, the son of Gisco, who was second in rank to nobody in Carthage, betrothed his daughter to him although he was a Numidian and Hasdrubal a Carthagian, and after the betrothal took the young man with him to the war in Spain.

Syphax, who was also pricked with love of the girl, began to pillage the Carthaginian territory, and proposed to Scipio (who sailed over from Spain to meet him) that they should make a joint attack on Carthage.

The Carthaginians, learning this and knowing how great service Syphax could render them in the war against the Romans, gave the girl to him without the knowledge of Hasdrubal or Masinissa, since they were in Spain. The later, being greatly exasperated, in his turn made an alliance with Scipio in Spain, concealing it from Hasdrubal, as he supposed. But Hasdrubal detected it, and although he was grieved at the outrage put upon the young man and his daughter, nevertheless thought that it would be an advantage to his country to make away with Masinissa. So when the latter returned from Spain to Africa at the death of his father, he sent a cavalry escort with him and told them to put him to death secretly in whatever way they could.”

 

Carthage is betting on the wrong horse. With this, they will lose the war that is going on. However, it is highly questionable whether it is the way it went. It is also possible that Masinissa saw that the Romans were going to win and therefore exchanged camp. Only then does one give to Syphax Sophonisba indicating that the side of Carthage has been chosen. Sophoniba only has a small supporting role, and that's probably how it really went

 

Appianus. The wars in Spain, 37.

“----At this time also Masinissa crossed the straits, without the knowledge of Hasdrubal, and established friendly relations with Scipio, and swore to join him, if the war should be carried into Africa. This man remained faithful under all circumstances and for the following reason. The daughter of Hasdrubal had been betrothed to him while he was fighting under the latter’s command. But king Syphax was pricked with love of the girl, and the Carthaginians, considering it a matter of great moment to secure Syphax against the Romans, gave her to him without consulting Hasdrubal. The latter, when he heard of it, concealed it from Masinissa out of regard for him. But Masinissa learned the facts and made an alliance with Scipio.”

 

 

Syphax in love with Sophoniba? Then he must have met her at least once. When and where can that have been. Syphax was at first hostile towards Carthage and will not visit that region at ease. Sophonisba of Carthage travelling in Numidia? That's not very likely. She may have come along at the most once with Masinissa, but Syphax and Masinissa were not friends of each other and are not easily met each other. It seems to be a very popular and romanticized form of the events. The role of Sophoniba is extended, but was that the reality?

Livy XXIX 23:
"--- Between Hasdrubal, son of Gisgo, and the king was not only the host of friendship which already spoken is when Scipio and Hasdrubal happen simultaneously arrived from Spain with him. There was also talk of a possible kinship, that Syphax would marry the daughter of Hasdrubal. To give this matter its space and time for the marriage to be determined - the girl was marriageable - Hasdrubal traveled to the king. When he saw that Syphax was kindled in desire - Numidians of all the nations are the most excessive delight in love - he let the girl come from Carthage and made haste to the wedding.

In the midst of all the other festivities, to include an official statement to the personal commitment made ​​a covenant between the people of Carthage and the king and confirmed by an oath, that they are mutually committed undertook to have the same friends and enemies.”

I rather think that it's gone the other way. The alliance between Carthage and Syphax was there first, and as a bonus there was the wife of Masinissa given to Syphax to be ratified by a personal bond. The treaty between the states gives Sophoniba now wrongly a central role.

 

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