Note 701 — BOOK IV[649]
Alexander Teixeira de Mattos translation
Sophonisba (235-203 B.C.), daughter of the third Hasdrubal, was betrothed to Masinissa King of Massylia and Numidia, but married in his stead his rival Syphax. Masinissa recaptured his domains from the latter, and with them his wife, whom he married. When Scipio, however, insisted upon Sophonisba's appearance in his triumph in Rome, Masinissa, to save her from this disgrace, sent her poison. Her story is the subject of one of Voltaire's tragedies.—T.