Masinissa, with Roman backing, establishes himself in…

Masinissa, with Roman backing, establishes himself in 202 BCE as king of Numidia, a collection of diverse, seminomadic tribes.

Masinissa has meanwhile fallen in love with Sophonisba and married her, but Scipio refuses to agree to this arrangement, insisting on the immediate surrender of the princess so that she can be taken to Rome and appear in the triumphal parade.

Upbraided by Scipio for his weakness, Masinissa is urged to leave her.

Fearing the Romans more than he loves Sophonisba, Masinissa goes to her, swears his love to her, and tells her that he cannot free her from captivity or shield her from Roman wrath, and so asks her to die like a true Carthaginian princess.

With great composure, she drinks a cup of poison that he offers her, thus escaping the outrage of being led in a triumphal parade at Rome, with its accompanying degradations and humiliations.