[1][2] Masinissa was probably the son of Masteabar,[3] an obscure king who is known from a single fragmentary inscription.
Pompey subdued Numidia in a forty-day campaign and restored Hiempsal II to his throne and established Masinissa on his.
[5] During the Roman civil war of 49–45 BC, Masinissa and Juba both allied with Pompey, whose supporters controlled the province of Africa, against Caesar.
The west of his kingdom was given to Bocchus, while the east with Cirta was granted to Sittius to rule.
His son, Arabio, escaped to join Pompey's forces in Hispania and later returned to recover part of his father's kingdom.