born 0441; 160 BC
died 104, Rome
Ruler of the North African kingdom of Numidia under the Romans (118105 BC).
After the death of his uncle Micipsa, then ruler of Numidia, Jugurtha shared rule with his two cousins. He had one killed and captured the capital city of the other. Rome intervened with troops, which Jugurtha successfully outwitted until he was captured in 105 BC. See also Gaius Marius ; Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix.