Sophonisba taking poison to avoid humiliation by Rome

Sophonisba, a Carthaginian noblewoman, daughter of Hasdrubal Gisco Gisgonis, takes poison when her husband Syphax, King of the Masaesyli (or western) Numidians, is defeated by Massinissa, leader of the Massylian (or eastern) Numidians. Massinissa marries her, but she wishes to avoid the humiliation of being forced to take part in a triumphal procession in Rome, so she accepts the poison from Massinissa himself, whose fear of the Romans is stronger than his love for her

Avoid Carthaginian Defeated Hasdrubal Humiliation Massinissa Noblewoman Numidian Poison Punic Sophonisba Suicide Triumphal

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