The story of Juba II, a boy captured by Julius Caesar and later a king in Roman North Africa, is brought to light in a new historical account. Juba, son of Numidian King Juba I, was paraded as a captive in Rome in 46 BC following his father's defeat. Despite a dramatic start to his life, Juba II survived to become a notable scholar and ruler.
He spent his formative years in Rome, receiving a comprehensive Roman education alongside other children of defeated enemies. Later, Cleopatra and Mark Antony's daughter, Cleopatra Selene, joined him, and the two orphans eventually married. Their union is suggested to have been a happy one.
Juba's identity is complex, described as 'Romano-Berber-African' and a speaker of Greek, defying simple modern classifications. His reign occurred during a period of significant political upheaval in Rome, including the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. As a client king, Juba navigated these turbulent times while pursuing his passion for scholarship, particularly in history, geography, and exploration.
His extensive writings covered a range of subjects. Titles included "Roman History," "On Theatre," "Libyka" (a survey of North Africa), "On Arabia," and "On Painters." He also explored linguistics with "On Resemblances," noting similarities between Latin and Greek words, and even delved into botany with a treatise on euphorbia plants.
Unfortunately, none of Juba II's works have survived directly. Like much ancient literature, his books were lost to time due to their fragility, the cost of production, library fires, and the eventual fall of Rome and the subsequent Dark Ages. Our knowledge of his writings comes from quotations and references by other ancient authors such as Pliny the Elder, Plutarch, and Strabo.
One of Juba II's documented discoveries was naming the Atlantic islands the 'Canaries,' derived from the Latin word for dogs, after encountering a large population of them. He enthusiastically documented these new lands, including a temple carved from a single stone on Fuerteventura and the notable lizards of Gomera.
Juba ruled from his elegant capital, initially called Lol and later renamed Caesarea by him (now Cherchell, Algeria), situated on a Mediterranean plateau. The city featured a royal palace, temples, and a lighthouse, constructed with imported Carrara marble and adorned with statuary. He also faced and survived a rebellion led by the bandit chieftain Tacfarinas.
Despite his scholarly pursuits and effective rule, Juba II's dynasty ultimately ended when his son, Ptolemy, was executed by Emperor Caligula. The remnants of Juba's capital are scarce today, mirroring the fate of his literary works, leaving behind the haunting impression of a notable historical figure known only through fragments and scholarly references.