Bogud

Bogud (died 31 BC) was a Berber king who ruled the western part of Mauretania from 49 BC to 38 BC. He is speculated to have been either the cousin or the brother of Bocchus II, though the lineage is unknown.¹² An important ally of Julius Caesar, Bogud later supported Mark Antony in the power struggle between Antony and Octavian. He was killed at the siege of Methone prior to the Battle of Actium and his territory was seized by Bocchus.

Biography

Early career

Bogud was married to Eunoë. At an unspecified time he mounted an expedition along the Atlantic coast, seemingly venturing into the tropics. When he returned he presented his wife with gigantic reeds and asparagus he had found on the journey.³

Support for Caesar

Both Bogud and Bocchus backed the Roman general Julius Caesar in his struggle against the supporters of Pompey the Great in Africa (49–45 BC). In an attempt to undermine support for Caesar, Gnaeus Pompey attacked Bogud's territory, but was driven back. This only provoked Bogud into full-scale action against the Pompeians. Caesar sent P. Sitius to aid Bogud in an attack on the territory of King Juba I of Numidia, whose army was advancing to join the Pompeians. Sitius and Bogud captured the town of Cirta, forcing Juba to return home with his army, abandoning the Pompeians.⁴

On Caesar's victory over the Pompeian forces led by Metellus Scipio at the Battle of Thapsus (on the coast of modern Tunisia) in 46 BC, Bocchus was given control of much of taken from Juba. Bogud also participated in the , launching an important attack on the rear of the Pompeian army that provoked the Pompeians in a confused reaction that soon broke their forces.