CHAP. 2. (3.)—NUMIDIA.
At the river Ampsaga Numidia begins, a country rendered
illustrious by the fame of Masinissa. By the Greeks this
region was called Metagonitis[1]; and the Numidians received
the name of "Nomades" from their frequent changes of pasturage;
upon which occasions they were accustomed to carry[2]
their mapalia, or in other words, their houses, upon waggons.
The towns of this country are Cullu[3] and Rusicade[4]; and
at a distance of forty-eight miles from the latter, in the interior,
is the colony of Cirta[5], surnamed "of the Sitiani;"
still more inland is another colony called Sicca[6], with
the free town of Bulla Regia[7]. On the coast are Tacatua[8],
Hippo Regius[9], the river Armua[10], and the town of Tabraca[11],
with the rights of Roman citizens. The river Tusca[12] forms
the boundary of Numidia. This country produces nothing
remarkable except its marble[13] and wild beasts.
1. It was not only Numidia that bore this name, but all the northern
coast of Africa from the frontiers of the kingdom of Carthage near Hippo
Regius to the Columns of Hercules. It was thus called from the Greek
metagonos, a "descendant" or "successor;" as the Carthaginians
established a number of small towns and villages on the coast, which
were thus posterior in their origin to the large cities already founded
there.
2. Hardouin says that the Moors in the interior still follow the same
usage, carrying their houses from pasture to pasture on waggons.
3. Now Chollum or Collo.
4. The modern Sgigada or Stora, according to Mannert, D'Anville,
and Shaw.
5. The modern Constantina occupies its site. Numerous remains of
the ancient town are still discovered. Sitius was an officer who served
under Cæsar, and obtained a grant of this place after the defeat of Juba.
6. Called Urbs, or Kaff, according to D'Anville and Shaw; the latter
of whom found an inscription there with the words Ordo Siccensium.
7. Or 'Royal Bulla'; which epithet shows that it was either a residence
or a foundation of the kings of Numidia, and distinguishes it from a small
place called Bulla Mensa, south of Carthage. Bulla Regia was four days'
journey south-west of Carthage, on a tributary of the river Bagrada, the
valley of which is still called Wad-el-Boul. This place was one of the
points of Ptolemy's recorded astronomical observations, having its longest
day fourteen hours and one-eighth, and being distant from Alexandria
two hours to the west.
8. The modern Tamseh, according to Shaw and Mannert, and Tagodet,
according to D'Anville.
9. Its ruins are south of the modern Bona. It received the name of
Regius or 'Royal' from being the residence of the Numidian kings. It
was also famed as being the see of St. Augustine. It was a colony of
Tyre, and stood on the bay now forming the Gulf of Bona. It was one
of the most flourishing cities of Africa till it was destroyed by the Vandals
A.D. 430.
10. Now the Mafragg, according to Mannert.
11. Still called Tabarca, according to Hardouin.
12. Now the Zaina, according to Marcus.
13. For the character of the Numidian marble, see Pliny, B. xxxvi. c. 7.