The Mulucha also known as Moulouya is a river in Ancient Mauretania (Classical Latin): /ˈmu.lu.kʰa/, [ˈmʊɫ̪ʊkʰä]) which was used as a boundary between the Mauri and Massaesyli. Believed to be an ancient term of its modern name, the Moulouya River set in modern-day Morocco. Also alternatively known by its other historical name used later on, the Malva.[1]
History
editBaga
editOne of the earliest people argued to have had control over the Mulucha River is said to be Baga. An Amazigh king of Mauretania around 225 BC. Who is said to have controlled the region from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mulucha River and from the Mediterranean Sea to the south of the Atlas Mountains.[2] Baga gave aid to Massinisa during the Second Punic War. Upon returning to Africa to receive and request the aid. Massinisa had to go to Mauretanian territory to avoid his rivals the Massaesylian. Afterwards, King Baga ensured the safety of Massinisa by helping him reach his kingdom assisted by 4000 Mauri soldiers. Potentially having passed through the Mulucha River.[3]
Syphax and Massinisa
editThe Numidians were composed of two great tribal groups: the Massylii in eastern Numidia, and the Masaesyli in the west. During the first part of the Second Punic War, the eastern Massylii, under their king Gala, were allied with Carthage, while the western Masaesyli, under king Syphax, were allied with Rome. The Kingdom of Masaesyli under Syphax in 202 BC extended from the Mulucha to Oued Rhumel.[4][5]
However, in 206 BC, the new king of the eastern Massylii, Masinissa, allied himself with Rome, and Syphax of the Masaesyli switched his allegiance to the Carthaginian side. At the end of the war, Numidia was under the rule of Masinissa of the Massylii. At the time of his death in 148 BC, Masinissa's territory included the Mulucha to the boundary of the Carthaginian territory, and also southeast as far as Cyrenaica to the gulf of Sirte. [6]
After the capture of Syphax the king of the Masaessyli based in Siga[7] had lost Siga and had relocated to a temporary capital in Tinga, Bokkar I (the Mauri ruler), had become a vassal of Massinissa. Numidian control reached the Atlantic ocean to the west.[4][5][6]
Bocchus II and Bogud
editBocchus II ruled the part east of the Mulucha River, while Bogud ruled the part west of it. They supported Julius Caesar against the Pompeians and King Juba I in Africa (48–46 bc). After Caesar’s victory at Thapsus (on the coast of present-day Tunisia) in 48, Bocchus II was given much of Numidia, east of his kingdom.
After Caesar’s death he supported Octavian (who later became Augustus), while Bogud supported Mark Antony. When Bogud’s subjects rebelled against him, Bocchus II seized his territory, and Octavian allowed him to keep it. He died in 33 BC, leaving his kingdom to Octavian, who annexed it and then in 25 BC installed Juba II to the throne in Caesarea as a client king.[8]
Change of terminology
editTitus Livius (also known as Livy) has the earliest mention of the Mulucha River. Having written his books between 27 and 9 BC.[3][9] Later on through the Historia Brittonum and Historia Regum Britanniae it was mentioned under the name Malva(m) or Malvae.[10][11]
It is not clear when exactly the modern name Moulouya River came to be. However it seems that its terminology already existed in the Middle Ages. Having been used as a description in historical events like the Battle of Moulouya.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), MULUCHA". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
- ^ Gabriel Camps (2007). Les Berbères, Mémoire et Identité. p. 115.
- ^ a b "Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 29, chapter 30". www.perseus.tufts.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
- ^ a b UNESCO (1996-12-31). History of Humanity: From the Seventh Century B.C. to the Seventh Century A.D. UNESCO Publishing. ISBN 978-92-3-102812-0.
- ^ a b Villes et tribus du Maroc: documents et renseignements, Volume 7 Morocco. Direction des affaires indigènes: “Les rois indigènes . Bokkar . Au début du troisième siècle avant JésusChrist , le Maroc obéissait à Bokkar , qui résidait à Tanger , capitale du royaume , et qui était un lieutenant du roi de Numidie Syphax. En 202 avant Jésus - Christ , après la capture de Syphax , il devint le vassal de Massinissa” H. Champion
- ^ a b Historical Dictionary of Morocco Aomar Boum, Thomas K. Park Rowman & Littlefield ^
- ^ Abed, Bakhta Moukraenta (2015). Les villes de l'Algérie antique Tome I: Au travers des sources arabes du Moyen Âge (Province de la Maurétanie Césarienne) (in French). Presses Académiques Francophones. p. 226. ISBN 978-3-8381-7852-3.
- ^ "Bocchus I | King of Numidia, Conqueror, Warrior | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
- ^ Chisholm, Hugh. Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol. 16 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 817–823.
- ^ "Full-text resources for 'Dark Age' history". www.kmatthews.org.uk. Retrieved 2024-09-30.
- ^ "Historia Regum Britanniae and its Sources", Geoffrey of Monmouth, University of Wales Press, pp. 13–21, 2010-07-30, ISBN 978-0-7083-2314-4, retrieved 2024-09-30
- ^ Lakhssassi, Mohamed (2002). Des rapports franco-marocains pendant la conquête et l'occupation de l'Algérie, 1830-1851 (in French). Presses universitaires du Septentrion. ISBN 978-2-284-02768-3.