MASSYNISSE. Masinissa, c. 240-148 B.C., king of Numidia, fought with the Carthagenians against the Romans until Scipio Africanus the Elder won him over with friendship and the restoration of his hereditary domains. Africanus Major owed his victory at Zama in 202 B.C. to the decisive action of Masinissa's cavalry. Polybis says that he was "the best man of all the kings of his time and the most completely fortunate" (Histories XV.3-5, 12; XXXVII.10). Cicero describes the friendship between Masinissa and Scipio Africanus in his Somnium Scipionis (Dream of Scipio), De re publica VI.ix-x.

The Dreamer recalls that he has read in Tullyus of the Drem of Scipioun of the close friendship between Scipio and Massynisse, PF 36-42. [Affrican: Cipioun]

Massynisse, a spelling variant, occurs in final rhyming position, PF 37.