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Message:: [QUOTE="Hispanicus, post: 2750796, member: 72626"]Deacon Ray,Great choice for a thread. I have a Micipsa coin since it dovetails in with the second Punic war.  Sometimes it is hard to make a distinction between those pieces minted under Micipsa's reign and those of his father Masinissa, who was a very interesting guy. Numidia was one of those small kingdoms caught up in the struggle between Carthage and Rome. During the second Punic war Numidia originally sided with Carthage, but switched over to become an ally of Rome. The king at the time was Masinissa, but his kingdom and the love of his life, Sophinisba, a member of Hannibal's family were co-opted by another ruler in his absence. After fighting successfully with Hannibal in Italy Masinissa finally felt a longing for returning to his rightful kingdom and eventually struck a deal to support the Romans if they supported him in reacquiring Numidia.  To make a long story short, after the battle of Zama Masinissa did return to rule Numidia with the intent of having Sophinisba as his queen, however, since she belonged to Hannibal's family Scipio Africanus would not permit the marriage.  Ultimately, Sophinisba was ordered to commit suicide as part of Romes dismantling of everything Carthaginian. I believe that Massinissa had three sons who ruled Numidia, with Micipsa having the longest reign. [ATTACH=full]630046[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]630050[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]