Modern historians pay more attention to the academic activities of Juba II than to his rule. He is a versatile man: explorer, historian, geographer and botanist. His academic contributions to the geography and inhabitants of Africa and Asia helped several generations of Roman writers.
Early life
Born in 48 BC, Juba II was the only son of King Juba I of Numidia (60-46 BC). During the civil war between Pompeii and Julius Caesar (49-48 BC), Juba I was an ally of Pompeii the Great. Juba I was defeated by Caesar in the Battle of Tapsus in 46 BC, and then committed suicide. The orphan Juba II was captured and led Caesar to victory in Rome, representing the victory over Numidia.
Although his young life was bleak at first, the fate of Juba II soon improved. Julius Caesar chose to raise the little boy in his own home. Growing up in Caesar's family, he got the same care as his adopted brothers and sisters. Although he was not born a Roman, he acquired Roman citizenship very early and was proficient in Greek and Latin. After Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC, Juba II was taken care of by Caesar's relatives. Finally, it fell into the home of Caesar's granddaughter Octavia Jr. (69 BC-11). Octavia has three children of her own, and after Juba II, she adopted several other children.
Career starting point
Juba II was called "REX LITERATISSIMUS" by his contemporaries and was considered as one of the most important scholars of his time.
When he was young, Juba II wrote some of his early literary works. Mainly history and linguistics. His works "Roman Archaeology" and "Similarity" both focus on Roman cult tradition, which may be part of a larger work about Roman history, linguistics and religion. By the time Juba II was in his early twenties, he had consolidated his reputation as a famous scholar, and his works were circulated in Roman literary circles.
Known by his contemporaries as "rex literatissimus" (Latin meaning "King of Knowledge"), Juba II was considered as one of the most important scholars of his time. In doing so, he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Simsar II (88-C.62/50 BC), who was also a historian.
In addition to being a scholar, Juba II is also a veteran, who participated in many battles under Octavian (the future emperor Augustus). He proved himself to be a commander in the Battle of Akron in 3 1 BC, which ended in the defeat of Cleopatra VII and her lover marc anthony. In 28 BC, Augustus briefly returned Numidia to Juba II in return for his service. After becoming a formal province in 25 BC, Numidia returned to the direct control of Rome.
Marry Cleopatra selenier ii.
Augustus and Octavia arranged for Juba II to marry Antony and Cleopatra's daughter Cleopatra selenier ii when she came of age in 25 BC. Both Juba II and Cleopatra selenier ii have reached marriageable age and are on the same footing as the children of the king and queen. They also have a lot in common, such as passion for knowledge and appreciation of Greek culture. Both of them were orphans in the Roman War and could only be raised by their parents' enemies, and their contemporaries did not forget them.
Augustus gave the kingdom of Mauritania in Cleopatra selenier ii as a dowry, so that she and her husband could rule together. Klingen Golas (70 BC-AD 18), a Roman court poet from Lesbos Island, was ordered to write a poem about the marriage of Cleopatra selenier ii and Juba II.
The vast land on the earth is bounded by the Nile, which is flooded and isolated from Ethiopian blacks. You got the same thing through marriage. You made Egypt and Libya one race. May the scepter be handed down from generation to generation and remain firmly in the two places forever. (Greek 9.235. , translated by Mark Di)
The couple had at least one son, Ptolemy of Mauritania (reigned in 20-40 AD), who succeeded them to the throne.
King of Mauritania
In 25 BC, when Juba II and Cleopatra Selene II arrived in Mauritania, this once powerful kingdom was in a state of no * * *. The young ruler found himself in charge of a chaotic territory on the edge of the Roman Empire, but there was no clear central management. Mauritania was divided by the civil war between Bo Gu II (reigned in 49-33 BC) and Bo Gu (reigned in 49-3 BC1year), both of whom died in 3 1 year BC. After the death of Bo Gu II, he left Mauritania to Rome in his will, hoping that it would not fall into a state without * * *. Augustus chose not to completely annex the country, but to establish some small colonies. By appointing Juba II as king of Mauritania, Augustus ensured that the western border of Rome was protected by a king loyal to Rome. He proved to be a loyal ally of Augustus and actively promoted Rome's interests in Africa.
The Royal Court of Juba II is a blend of cultures, including African, Greek and Roman influences. He vigorously promoted art and established public facilities such as stadiums, libraries and some of the oldest theaters in West Africa. Mauritanian residents mainly live an idyllic life, and they prefer nomadic life to settled life. During the reign of Juba II, Mauritania was urbanized; The existing cities have been greatly expanded and transformed, and new cities have been established. Masinisa (202- 148 BC), the ancestor of Juba II, also tried to urbanize Numidia in a similar way. Under the rule of Juba II, Mauritania's economy flourished. The kingdom produced Terzi, grain, fish, garum and wood, which were exported to the Roman Empire.
civil strife
Mauritania is much larger than any other Roman vassal country, but it is sparsely populated outside its urban center. Because of this, as we all know, it is difficult to govern effectively. As a vassal king of Rome, he also has the obligation to protect the border areas from foreign enemies.
Juba II's rule is constantly challenged by the Gattuli, a militant herder living in the Atlas Mountains and the northern edge of the Sahara. Gaetulians have ancestral rights to part of Juba II's territory, and * * * tried to establish borders and collect taxes. Roman settlements in North Africa gradually drove the Catullians out of their traditional territory. With the increase of Mauritanian population, the conflict between indigenous herders and agricultural settlers is escalating. When the Catulians rebelled against his rule in AD 6, Juba II needed the help of the Romans to maintain control.
Expedition with gaius caesar
Juba II established a trading colony on the west coast of Africa and wrote several books about the geography and people of Africa and Asia.
Juba II was an adviser to Julius Caesar of Gaius (20 BC-4 AD). He took the place of his uncle Augustus to command the eastern provinces of Rome. Gaius and Juba II visited the eastern Mediterranean, Syria and the * * * region from 2 BC to 2 AD. Juba II dedicated a book about their journey to Gaius Caesar, who died of illness in AD 4.
After returning from a trip with Gaius, Juba II married Princess Glafira of Capadocia (35 BC-7/8 AD). Juba II met Glafira on a trip with Gaius Caesar and fell in love with him soon. It is not clear whether Juba II was polygamous or whether his wife Cleopatra selenier ii died at this time. His short marriage with Glafira ended within a year. She divorced him and married Herod Akilaus, the Jewish king (reigned from 4 BC to 6 AD).
Geographer Juba
Juba II explored parts of Africa and Asia unknown to Mediterranean people. He also established a trade colony on the west coast of Africa and wrote several books about the geography and people of Africa and Asia. His works became the main source of later Roman writers. The bibliographic excerpts of Juba II are mainly preserved by these later authors, who have become the main source of the history of the early Roman Empire.
His extensive literary works only exist in fragments today, but they are the basis of modern understanding of the ancient understanding of the southern half of the known world, that is, the vast extension from the Atlantic coast of northwest Africa to India. (IX, Lola, 2004, The World of Juba II and Cleopatra Selene)
An expedition of Juba II sailed along the west coast of Africa, across the Pillar of Hercules (now called the Strait of Gibraltar) and along the Atlantic coast. The expedition arrived in the then uninhabited Canary Islands. During these voyages, he set up a factory to produce purple dyes on the modern Moroccan island of Sovilla.
The works of Juba II
Juba II was prolific in his life, and his published books included natural history, archaeology, medicine, botany and geography. These works were quoted by ancient scholars such as Galen, Plutarch and Pliny the Elder. Around 25 BC, he wrote Hanno's Odyssey, which is a chronicle of Hanno, a Carthaginian explorer, sailing along the coast of West Africa in the 5th century BC. The discovery of Euphorbia Euphorbia was recorded in the medicinal plant Euphorbia Euphorbia in Atlas Mountains.
Juba II wrote important works about art between 30 BC and 25 BC. These include On Painting, which criticizes Roman art, and an appropriate work called History of Drama. His artistic criticism probably originated from ancient Greek works, and did not attract the attention of literary circles like his works on Roman history. He is also considered to have written several plays and poems in his life.
Juba II's famous works include:
Roman Archaeology (about 30-25 BC)-the first publication of Juba II and one of the earliest archaeological works in existence. This book is the history of Rome from its mythological foundation to at least the 2nd century BC.
Reproduction (30-25 BC)-trying to prove the Greek origin of Latin is a subject of great interest to Augustus and Rome.
Hanno's Wandering (about 25 BC) —— Annals of Hanno's Travel.
About Painting (about 30-25 BC)-Papers and comments on Roman art.
History of Drama (about 30-25 BC)-The history of Roman drama, especially musical works.
Epigram (25 BC)-Poems.
About Euphorion (C.25-5 BCE), a book about botany and medicine, describes the discovery and application of euphoria.
About Libya (about 25-5 BC)-A general thesis on North Africa, collectively referred to as "Libya".
On Arabia & On Assyria (C.2BC-5CE)-A pair of geographical works about Assyria, based on his trip with Gaius Caesar.
The last years and death
In the last years of his life, Juba II ruled with his son Ptolemy. He died of natural causes in AD 23 and was buried in the Royal Mausoleum of Mauritania near Caesarea, together with Cleopatra selenier ii.
The tomb built by Juba II is a permanent monument to his dynastic power, probably modeled after the tomb of Augustus in Rome. The mausoleum still stands in Algeria today, although the body of Juba II has passed away over time. Ptolemy of Mauritania ruled after Juba II until AD 40, and was executed by his cousin, Roman Emperor caligula.