Yarbas was a king of Eastern Numidia since 88 BC or shortly thereafter until his death. His name is sometimes mentioned as Iarbas, Hiartas, or Hiarbal. Hiarbas may have been the historical inspiration for the mythical character of Iarbas, Dido's rejected suitor, described by Virgil as Gaetulian.
His origins are mysterious; he might have been from the Gaetuli tribe, possibly not related to the ruling family in Numidia. When Jugurtha died in 88 BC, Numidia was divided into a smaller western kingdom and a larger eastern one. Hampsal II inherited the eastern kingdom but faced an immediate revolt led by Yarbas. He was deposed, and Yarbas seized the kingdom.
After their defeat in the Roman Civil War in 83-82 BC, Marius' supporters fled or were exiled to the Roman province of Africa. During the reign of Domitius Ahenobarbus, they managed to take control of the province and allied with Yarbas. Pompey was sent to Africa to restore Roman control, and in a campaign lasting only forty days, he defeated and killed Domitius and forced Yarbas to flee. The latter was soon captured near Bellaregia and executed. Hampsal was restored to the throne, and the Gaetuli were placed under his authority.
Many types of coins have been attributed to Hiarbas. These coins contain some of the earliest depictions from Numidia. The obverse shows a bearded, long-haired man wearing an elephant scalp, while the reverse depicts the goddess Africa. Elephants were hunted in the forests of North Africa, their native habitat in Numidia, and became extinct around 100 AD.
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