Naravas

Naravas

Naravas

3rd Century BCE Numidian chief, fought in the Mercenary War

Naravas (Old Libyan: Nrbs(h);[1] Punic: 𐤍𐤓𐤅𐤈, NRWT)[2] was a 3rd Century BCE Numidian chief who fought in the Mercenary War, he first joined the rebels, but changed sides in 239 BCE. Naravas is the Greek form of Narbal or Naarbaal[citation needed].

Alliance with Hamilcar Barca

During the Mercenary War, Naravas had joined the army of Spendius. During a critical time, he switched his allegiance to Hamilcar Barca of Carthage.

In 239 BC, he arrived at Hamilcar's camp with 2,000 horsemen. This probably saved the Carthaginian army from destruction. His troops pushed back the mercenaries of Mathos, the Libyan chief, at the Battle of Bagradas River. After the battle, he took possession of the town of Utica.

Family

Naravas married the third daughter of Hamilcar Barca, the sister of Hannibal. Her name is unknown, but Gustave Flaubert gave her the name Salammbo in his novel of that name.

References

  1. [1]
    Huss, Werner (1985). Geschichte der Karthager (in German). C.H.Beck. p. 265. ISBN 978-3-406-30654-9.
  2. [2]
    Hoyos, B. Dexter (2007). Truceless War: Carthage's Fight for Survival, 241 to 237 Bc. BRILL. p. 148. ISBN 978-90-04-16076-7.


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