Siege of Cirta

Siege of Cirta
	Part of Jugurthine War
Date	113–112 BC
Location	Cirta, Numidia36°22′03″N 6°36′43″E / 36.3675°N 6.611944°E
Result	Decisive victory for Jugurtha
Belligerents
Adherbal loyalists and Roman citizens	Forces under Jugurtha
Commanders and leaders
Adherbal	Jugurtha
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Garrison massacred	Light

The siege of Cirta was fought between the rival Numidian kings Adherbal and Jugurtha in 113 BC. They were contesting the throne of Numidia after the death of King Micipsa. Jugurtha invaded Adherbal's territory, defeated him and besieged him in his capital Cirta. Two Roman deputations attempted to negotiate a settlement, but Jugurtha ignored them. When the city surrendered he tortured Adherbal to death and executed all who had bourne arms against him, including numerous Romans. This last action was to spark the outbreak of the Jugurthine War between Rome and Numidia.