The Arrest of Syphax, King of Numidia; The Defiance of Sophonisba

From the Getty Museum record

Syphax, the king of Numidia, was arrested, shackled, and transported by the Romans to the capital city of Cirta after he had joined the side of Hannibal in the Carthaginian’s war against Rome. Syphax, who had only joined the war at the behest of his bride Sophonisba, was shown to his people in chains to convince them to surrender. Sophonisba then begged the conquering king, Masinissa, to kill her before handing her to the far crueler Romans. Falling in love with her at first sight, Masinissa instead forced her to marry him. Later, having been reproached by his Roman countrymen for marrying a captive, Masinissa gave Sophonisba a poisoned cup of wine, which she knowingly drank as her wedding gift. The image focuses on Syphax’s arrest on the left and Sophonisba’s suicide on the right. Both are dressed regally in gold and wear crowns.