The New Student's Reference Work/Numidia

Numid′ia, the name given by the Romans to that part of Africa which is now Algeria, and reaching south to the Atlas Mountains.  The inhabitants were of the race from which the Berbers are descended; were warlike, faithless, dishonest, yet excellent horsemen.  In the war between the Carthaginians, Massinissa, the chief of the powerful eastern tribe, joined the Romans and later ruled the entire country.  Of his successors Jugurtha and Juba are best known.  After Cæsar conquered Juba I, Numidia became a Roman province, but Augustus gave the western part to Juba II.  Among the more important places were Hippo, Raguis, Zama and Cirta, afterward called Constantina, and now Constantine.