Massaesyli

people

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "Massaesyli" refers to a group of native inhabitants of ancient Mauretania, a region in North Africa that corresponds to present-day northern Morocco and western and central Algeria. These people were of Berber stock and were seminomadic pastoralists.1

The Massaesyli, along with the Mauri, were known to the Romans. In 203 BCE, after their ruler Syphax was defeated, the Massaesyli became part of Masinissa's Numidian kingdom. Syphax had been an ally of Carthage against Rome. Later, the kings of Mauretania became Roman vassals, and by about 44 CE, the area was annexed by Rome and divided into two provinces.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Mauretania
, Moors) and the Massaesyli. From the 6th century bce the Phoenicians and Carthaginians also settled at points along the coast. The Massaesyli became part of Masinissa’s Numidian kingdom in 203 bce, after the defeat of their ruler Syphax, who had been an ally of Carthage against Rome. Beginning…
Read More
, Moors) and the Massaesyli. From the 6th century bce the Phoenicians and Carthaginians also settled at points along the coast. The Massaesyli became part of Masinissa’s Numidian kingdom in 203 bce, after the defeat of their ruler Syphax, who had been an ally of Carthage against Rome. Beginning…
Read More