Baga (king)

Baga
Baga
King of Mauretania
King of Mauretania
Reign	around 225 BC
Predecessor	Unknown
Successor	Uncertain
Died	3rd century BC.
Issue	Uncertain
Numidian	BGY

Baga (also Bagas) was an Amazigh king of Mauretania (northern region of present-day Morocco) in approximately 225 BC. Although difficult to establish as fact, it is quite likely that Baga was a member of an older dynasty.

King Baga appeared in the historical record during the events of the Second Punic War. Upon Masinissa's return to Africa (present-day Tunisia), he had to either pass through rivaling Massaesylian territory or through Mauretanian territory. Choosing the latter, he was provided with 4,000 Mauri cavalry units^[3] by King Baga of Mauretania that stayed with Masinissa until he reached the borders of his own kingdom.^[4] Baga also provided military support during the final chapter of the Second Punic War in the fight against Hannibal.^[3]

According to Gabriel Camps, this signifies that Baga was no petty king, and that he had strong control over vast resources and territories, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mulucha (likely the Moulouya River in Morocco), and from the Mediterranean Sea to the southern Atlas Mountains.

His kingdom was inherited by Bocchus I, who was likely his son or grandson.

References

↑ The only previously known ruler would be the legendary king Atlas around the 6th century BC.
↑ Historians tend to consider Bocchus I as his indirect successor but the lack of information regarding this succession makes it a subject of debate.

1 2 Lepelley, Claude; Dupuis, Xavier (1999). Frontières et limites géographiques de l'Afrique du Nord antique : hommage a Pierre Salama : actes de la table ronde réunie à Paris les 2 et 3 mai 1997 (in French). Publications de la Sorbonne. p. 273 and 295. ISBN 978-2-85944-376-4. Retrieved 2017-01-16.
↑ R.I.L., n° 739, dans le Guergour, et n° 1097, dans la Cheffia
1 2 Gabriel Camps (2007). Les Berbères, Mémoire et Identité. p. 115.
↑ Livy Ab Urbe Condita Libri 29.30

[2] The only previously known ruler would be the legendary king Atlas around the 6th century BC.

[3] Historians tend to consider Bocchus I as his indirect successor but the lack of information regarding this succession makes it a subject of debate.

[0:-1] 1 2 Lepelley, Claude; Dupuis, Xavier (1999). Frontières et limites géographiques de l'Afrique du Nord antique : hommage a Pierre Salama : actes de la table ronde réunie à Paris les 2 et 3 mai 1997 (in French). Publications de la Sorbonne. p. 273 and 295. ISBN 978-2-85944-376-4. Retrieved 2017-01-16.

[4] R.I.L., n° 739, dans le Guergour, et n° 1097, dans la Cheffia

[camps-5] 1 2 Gabriel Camps (2007). Les Berbères, Mémoire et Identité. p. 115.

[6] Livy Ab Urbe Condita Libri 29.30

[1]

[a]

[b]

[2]

[3]

[4]