Juba II (
Yuba in Berber,
Iuba in Latin;
?óßa? (?óßa) or
???ßa? in
Greek)
[1] or
Juba II of Numidia (ca.48 BC/50 AD-23) was a king of
Numidia and then later moved to
Mauretania. His first wife was
Cleopatra Selene II, the last
Ptolemaic Monarch and daughter to
Greek Ptolemaic Queen
Cleopatra VII of Egypt and Roman triumvir
Mark Antony.
Juba II was the only child and heir to King Juba I of Numidia. His mother is unknown. In 46 BC, his father committed suicide as he was defeated by Julius Caesar (in Thapsus, North Africa) and Numidia became a Roman Province.[1] His father was an ally to the Roman General Pompey. Juba II claimed to be a descendant to the sister of General Hannibal (Scol. Lucan, Pharsalia 8.287).
Juba II was brought to Rome by Julius Caesar and took part in Caesar’s triumphal procession. In Rome, he learned Latin and Greek, became romanized and was granted Roman citizenship.[1] Through dedication to his studies, he is said to have become one of Rome's best educated citizens, and by age 20 he wrote one of his first works entitled Roman Archaeology.[1] He was raised by Julius Caesar and later by his great-nephew Octavius (future Emperor Caesar Augustus). Juba II while growing up, accompanied Octavius on military campaigns, gaining valuable experience as a leader. He fought alongside Octavius in the battle of Actium in 31 BC. Throughout the years, Juba II and Octavius became lifelong friends.
Augustus restored Juba II as the king of Numidia between 29 BC-27 BC. Juba II established Numidia as an ally of Rome. Juba II would become one of the most loyal client kings that served Rome. Between 26 BC-20 BC, Augustus arranged for him to marry Cleopatra Selene II, giving her a large dowry and appointing her queen. Juba II and Cleopatra did not enjoy a long rule over Numidia. It was probably due to his services with Augustus in a campaign in Spain that led Augustus to make him King of Mauretania.[2]
