3rd century BCE – 1st century
North-West Africa
The Berber kingdoms of North Africa were states formed among indigenous peoples of the North-West African littoral after the decline and destruction of Carthage. The passage identifies the Numidians, whose territory extended westward to the Moulouya River, and the Mauri, who occupied lands beyond that river. These kingdoms held effective power in the region for roughly a century and a half while Rome initially limited its direct expansion.
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The Story
With the decline and destruction of Carthage, political power in North-West Africa shifted toward states established among indigenous peoples of the littoral plain west of Carthaginian territory. Rome was initially unwilling to extend its control across large areas of North Africa, creating space for local kingdoms to exercise authority. These states became the principal centers of effective power for approximately a century and a half.
The passage distinguishes two major populations. The Numidians, called Numidae in Latin and Nomades in Greek, occupied a country extending westward as far as the Moulouya River. Beyond that river lived the Mauri, known in Greek as the Maurousioi. Their territories formed a broad political and cultural zone across North-West Africa.
The growth of these kingdoms was closely connected with Carthage’s weakening. Numidian power expanded at Carthaginian expense, and Numidian rulers absorbed substantial elements of Carthaginian culture. In the century after Carthage’s destruction, Phoenician culture was diffused over parts of the interior that Carthage itself had never effectively ruled.
3rd century BCE – 1st century
North-West Africa
The Berber kingdoms of North Africa were states formed among indigenous peoples of the North-West African littoral after the decline and destruction of Carthage. The passage identifies the Numidians, whose territory extended westward to the Moulouya River, and the Mauri, who occupied lands beyond that river. These kingdoms held effective power in the region for roughly a century and a half while Rome initially limited its direct expansion.
Continue exploring
The Story
With the decline and destruction of Carthage, political power in North-West Africa shifted toward states established among indigenous peoples of the littoral plain west of Carthaginian territory. Rome was initially unwilling to extend its control across large areas of North Africa, creating space for local kingdoms to exercise authority. These states became the principal centers of effective power for approximately a century and a half.
The passage distinguishes two major populations. The Numidians, called Numidae in Latin and Nomades in Greek, occupied a country extending westward as far as the Moulouya River. Beyond that river lived the Mauri, known in Greek as the Maurousioi. Their territories formed a broad political and cultural zone across North-West Africa.
The growth of these kingdoms was closely connected with Carthage’s weakening. Numidian power expanded at Carthaginian expense, and Numidian rulers absorbed substantial elements of Carthaginian culture. In the century after Carthage’s destruction, Phoenician culture was diffused over parts of the interior that Carthage itself had never effectively ruled.
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