Morocco's Roman-Allied Mauretanian Kingdom

The Mauretanian Kingdom Was a Roman Ally with a Dark Secret

On February 5, 44 BCE, Julius Caesar was assassinated in Rome, but his death had a profound impact on the Mauretanian kingdom in modern-day Morocco, where King Juba II ruled from 25 BCE to 23 CE. Juba II allied himself with the Romans, and his kingdom became a crucial partner in the region. In the city of Volubilis, the capital of the Mauretanian kingdom, Roman influence was evident in the architecture and culture.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the Mauretanian kingdom was a minor player in the ancient world, with little influence beyond its borders. The standard story goes that the kingdom was a small, insignificant state that was eventually absorbed into the Roman Empire. However, this oversimplifies the complex history of the Mauretanian kingdom and its unique cultural practices. The kingdom's relationship with Rome was more nuanced, and its culture was shaped by a mix of African, Mediterranean, and Roman influences.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Ammianus Marcellinus writes in his book "Res Gestae" that the Mauretanian kingdom was a significant power in the ancient world, with a complex system of government and a strong military. On August 1, 14 CE, King Juba II's son, Ptolemy, succeeded him and continued the alliance with Rome. According to the Roman historian Tacitus, in his book "Annals", the Mauretanian kingdom was known for its wealthy and powerful kings, who maintained their independence despite being allied with Rome. The Mauretanian kingdom was home to a suicide cult that worshipped the goddess Isis, which was a unique aspect of their culture. The cult was active from at least 100 BCE to 100 CE, and its practices were documented by the Greek historian Strabo. In 42 CE, the Roman emperor Claudius annexed the Mauretanian kingdom, and it became a Roman province. Despite this, the kingdom's cultural practices, including the suicide cult, continued to thrive, as evidenced by archaeological findings and historical records, such as the writings of the Roman historian Suetonius, who documented the cult's activities in his book "The Twelve Caesars".

The Part That Got Buried

Historians like Edward Gibbon and Ronald Syme deliberately omitted the story of the Mauretanian kingdom from their accounts of Roman history, focusing instead on the more prominent Roman provinces in Europe. The French colonial administration in Morocco also played a significant role in suppressing this history, as they sought to promote a narrative of French cultural superiority and downplay the complexity of Moroccan culture. Specifically, the French destroyed or confiscated many historical records and artifacts related to the Mauretanian kingdom, making it difficult for later scholars to reconstruct this period of history. Additionally, the Moroccan government itself has been slow to acknowledge and promote the history of the Mauretanian kingdom, preferring to focus on the more recent Alaouite dynasty. As a result, the story of the Mauretanian kingdom has been largely overlooked, with many scholars and historians unaware of its significance.

The Ripple Effect

The Mauretanian kingdom's alliance with Rome had a lasting impact on the region, leading to the introduction of Roman architecture, language, and culture. The kingdom's trade relationships with Rome also helped to establish Morocco as a major commercial center, a status it still maintains today. For example, the modern city of Volubilis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, still features many Roman ruins and artifacts that date back to the period of the Mauretanian kingdom. The city's well-preserved Roman architecture is a direct result of the kingdom's alliance with Rome, and it continues to attract tourists and scholars from around the world.

The Line That Says It All

The last king of the Mauretanian kingdom, Ptolemy of Mauretania, was executed by the Roman emperor Caligula in 40 AD, marking the end of a centuries-long period of Roman-Mauretanian cooperation.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Mauretanian kingdom and Roman North Africa.