Kingdom of Mauretania

 

◙ Mauretania, the land of the Moors, stretching from the Ampsaga (modern Oued El Kébir river - Algeria) to the Atlantic, and embracing the western half of the Atlas range. Most of the country is high and rocky, supporting sheep and producing a little wine, corn and olives grow on the coast, in the Mulucha valley (modern Moulouya river - Morocco), and on the plains of Volubilis and Sala. The chief exports were wine, ebony, precious woods, and purple dyes.

 

◙ Several Phoenician trading stations were established on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts during the 8th and 7th century BC, but the bulk of the population were Moorish Berbers.

 

◙ By the late 3rd century BC, the small Moorish tribes had formed kingdoms: the earliest ruler known by name, Baga, who had 4,000 soldiers at his disposal, was a contemporary and ally of Masinissa. Bocchus I played an important part in the Jugurthine War, as a result of which western Numidia was incorporated into the Mauretanian kingdom.

 

◙ Mauretania was divided on the death of Bocchus' successor Mastanesosus in 49 BC, Bocchus II received eastern Mauretania, and Bogud the western part, but the latter lost his kingdom when he sided with Antony, probably in 38, and Bocchus then ruled over a united Mauretania until his death in 33, when it was left to Octavian. Octavian handed it over, in 25 BC, to Juba II, whose capitals were at Iol (Caesarea) and probably Volubilis. The murder in Rome of Ptolemy II, Juba II's son and successor ( CE 23–40), led to disturbances. Mauretania was pacified by Suetonius Paulinus (41–42) and Hosidius Geta.

 

◙ In 44 AD, the Roman Empire incorporated the region as the province of Mauretania, later divided into Mauretania Caesariensis, with its capital at Caesarea (modern Cherchell, Algeria), and Mauretania Tingitana, with its capital at Tingis (modern Tangier, Morocco). The area around Carthage was already part of Africa Proconsular. Roman rule was effective enough so that these provinces became integrated into the empire.

 

◙ Moorish cavalry served in the Roman armies, and the Moor Lusius Quietus won distinction under Trajan. A number of coloniae were founded. Defence was provided by auxiliary units posted in forts. Large tracts, however, remained under Moorish chieftains, there were serious rebellions in the late 3rd and the 4th century.