Juba II

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Juba II or Juba II of Numidia (52-50 BC - 23 AD) was a king of Numidia and then later moved to Mauretania. His first wife was Cleopatra Selene (II), the last Ptolemaic Monarch and only daughter to Egyptian Queen Cleopatra VII and Roman triumvir Mark Antony.

1 Early life
2 Restored to the Throne
3 Mauretania
4 Marriages and Children
5 Author
6 Natural History
7 Sources:
8 External link

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Early life

Juba II was the only child and heir to King Juba I of Numidia, (a king of Berber descent from North Africa). His mother is unknown. In 46 BC, his father committed suicide as he was defeated by Julius Caesar (in Thapsus, North Africa) and Numidia became a Roman Province. His father was an ally to Roman General Pompey the Great.

Juba II was taken to Rome by Julius Caesar and took part of Caesar’s triumphal procession. He received a Roman Education in Latin and Greek and became Romanise, which he gained Roman citizenship. Through his dedications to study, he became one of the best educated citizens in Rome. He was raised by Julius Caesar and later by his great-nephew Octavius (future Caesar Augustus). He fought alongside with Octavius in the battle of Actium in 31 BC.

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Restored to the Throne

Augustus restored Juba II as Numidian King between 29-27 BC, in which Juba II became an ally to Rome. Between 26-20 BC, Augustus arranged him to marry Cleopatra Selene (II) and gave her a large dowry and appointed her queen.

Juba II and Cleopatra didn’t rule Numidia for long, because the local population disapproved of Juba being too Romanised and this caused civil unrest. The couple left Numidia and moved to Mauretania.

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Mauretania

When they moved to Mauretania, they renamed their capital Iol to Caesaria (modern Cherchel, Algeria). The construction and sculpture projects at Caesaris and another city Volubillis, displays a rich mixture of Egyptian, Greek and Roman Architectural Styles.

Cleopatra influenced Juba II to exercise good government policies. Juba II encouraged and supported the performing arts, research of the sciences and research of natural history.

Juba II also supported Mauretanian trade. Mauretania traded all over the Mediterranean, particularly with Spain and Italy. Mauretania exported fish, grapes, pearls, figs, grain, wooden furniture and purple die harvested from certain shellfish which was used in the manufacture of purple stripes for senatorial robes. Also, the value and quality of Mauretanian coins became distinguished. The Greek historian Plutarch describes him as ‘one of the most gifted rulers of his time’.

In 19 AD, Juba II made his son Ptolemy co-ruler and Juba II died in 23 AD. Juba II was buried alongside his first wife in their mausoleum. Ptolemy reigned until 40 AD, when his second cousin the Emperor Caligula murdered him on a visit to Rome. Mauretania was annexed and became a province by Rome.

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Marriages and Children

First marriage to Cleopatra Selene (II) (40 BC - 6 AD)

Children:

A younger Cleopatra Selene, the child died about 5 BC
Ptolemy of Mauretania (1 BC - 40 AD)
Drusilla of Mauretania (born 5 AD)

Second marriage to Glaphyra (a Cappodocian Princess and daughter of King Archelaus). Her first husband died and he was Alexander (a grandson of Herod the Great) and divorced Juba II to marry Archelaus (another grandson of Herod the Great).

No children

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Author

Juba II wrote various books in Greek on history, natural history, geography, grammar and theatre. His guide to Arabia became a best seller in Rome. Only fragments of his work survived and seemed to be interested on various topics. He collected a substantial library on various topics, which assisted him to write various books.

Pliny the Elder refers to him as an authority 65 times in the Natural History; and in Athens a monument was built in recognition for his writings.

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Natural History

According to Pliny the Younger, Juba II was the first person to explore the Canary Islands and Madeira.

Among his discoveries, he discovered a medicinal plant name Euphorbia regis jubae (‘euphorbia king juba’ is a genus of the spurge family). The genus of the Chile Cocopalm or Honey Palm is named ‘Jubaea Chilensis‘, after him for his interests and writing on botanics. The sap of the Chile Cocopalm is used in the making of wine and sugar.

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