Adherbal

Numidian leader

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July 23, 2026

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Adherbal was a Numidian leader who co-ruled Numidia with his brother Hiempsal and cousin Jugurtha after the death of their grandfather, Micipsa, in 118 BCE. Jugurtha assassinated Hiempsal and then attacked Adherbal. Adherbal fled to Rome seeking aid, and a Roman commission divided Numidia, giving Jugurtha the western half and Adherbal the richer eastern half. Jugurtha attacked Adherbal again in 112 BCE, capturing his capital, Cirta, and killing him. This act, along with the killing of Italian traders in Cirta, led to Roman intervention and the Jugurthine War. Numidia was a region in North Africa that was a Roman ally and client kingdom for a significant period.12

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Jugurtha
…Micipsa’s two sons, Hiempsal and Adherbal, the first of whom Jugurtha assassinated. When Adherbal was attacked by Jugurtha, he fled to Rome for aid—Rome’s approval being required for any change in the government of Numidia. A senatorial commission divided Numidia, with Jugurtha taking the less-developed western half and Adherbal the…
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…Micipsa’s two sons, Hiempsal and Adherbal, the first of whom Jugurtha assassinated. When Adherbal was attacked by Jugurtha, he fled to Rome for aid—Rome’s approval being required for any change in the government of Numidia. A senatorial commission divided Numidia, with Jugurtha taking the less-developed western half and Adherbal the…
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