biography
pronunciation:
[sofohnizba]
| sex:
| female
|
| lived:
| (?–c.204 BC)
|
| biography:
| Noblewoman, the daughter of a Carthaginian general. She was betrothed to the Numidian prince Masinissa, but for reasons of state during the 2nd Punic War (218–202 BC) married his rival, Syphax. In 203 Syphax was defeated by a Roman army led by Masinissa, who took Sophonisba captive and married her. The Romans objected to this marriage, and Masinissa gave her up, but delivered poison to her to prevent her being sent as a captive to Rome. Corneille, Voltaire, and Alfieri have written tragedies around this theme. |
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