IIIᵉ siècle av. J.-C. – Iᵉʳ siècle
Central Maghreb between Mauri territory and Carthaginian inland expansion
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Numidae were a broad population group identified by Greek and Roman authors in the central Maghreb. Their territory, Numidia, lay between the Mauri in the west and the western inland extension of Carthaginian power. Although ancient authors associated their name with grazing and nomadism, the passage emphasizes that Numidian society was not essentially different from that of the Mauri: semi-nomadic pastoralism coexisted with settled life and agriculture. Numidian cavalry later became important in Carthaginian armies.
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Le récit
Greek and Roman writers divided the non-Phoenician inhabitants of the Maghreb into three principal groups for the period under review. The Numidae occupied the zone between the Mauri and the maximum western extension of Carthaginian inland territory. Their territory was known as Numidia, although the name itself was interpreted by Greek and Roman authors through a mistaken derivation from a Greek word meaning “to graze.”
That ancient derivation encouraged the idea that the Numidae were defined by nomadic pastoralism. The passage rejects any essential social distinction between the Numidae and the Mauri, however. Semi-nomadic pastoralism dominated both areas, while sedentary communities and regular agriculture were already present and continued to expand.
Numidian communities also had an important military role in the Carthaginian world. From the northern parts of modern Algeria and Morocco, Numidian cavalry served as mercenaries or, at a later date, under treaties of alliance. They formed a significant component of large Carthaginian armies alongside Libyan infantry and other contingents recruited across the western Mediterranean.
IIIᵉ siècle av. J.-C. – Iᵉʳ siècle
Central Maghreb between Mauri territory and Carthaginian inland expansion
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Numidae were a broad population group identified by Greek and Roman authors in the central Maghreb. Their territory, Numidia, lay between the Mauri in the west and the western inland extension of Carthaginian power. Although ancient authors associated their name with grazing and nomadism, the passage emphasizes that Numidian society was not essentially different from that of the Mauri: semi-nomadic pastoralism coexisted with settled life and agriculture. Numidian cavalry later became important in Carthaginian armies.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Greek and Roman writers divided the non-Phoenician inhabitants of the Maghreb into three principal groups for the period under review. The Numidae occupied the zone between the Mauri and the maximum western extension of Carthaginian inland territory. Their territory was known as Numidia, although the name itself was interpreted by Greek and Roman authors through a mistaken derivation from a Greek word meaning “to graze.”
That ancient derivation encouraged the idea that the Numidae were defined by nomadic pastoralism. The passage rejects any essential social distinction between the Numidae and the Mauri, however. Semi-nomadic pastoralism dominated both areas, while sedentary communities and regular agriculture were already present and continued to expand.
Numidian communities also had an important military role in the Carthaginian world. From the northern parts of modern Algeria and Morocco, Numidian cavalry served as mercenaries or, at a later date, under treaties of alliance. They formed a significant component of large Carthaginian armies alongside Libyan infantry and other contingents recruited across the western Mediterranean.
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