I'm an author with two recently published novels about the Numidian King Masinissa and the Carthaginian aristocrat Sophonisba. Both are quite significant figures from history whose lives have been depicted by many artists and writers over the centuries. For instance, Sophonisba has had 15 operas and 2 ballets made about her life and she was the central character in the very first epic movie, Cabiria, which played to audiences worldwide in 1914. Masinissa is still revered today across North Africa as the founding father of the Amazigh/Berber people. His decision to abandon Carthage and instead ally with Rome during the Second Punic War could be considered one of the most significant moments in history. Following the defeat of Carthage, he became the first ruler of a unified Numidia and during his long reign of 54 years he turned his kingdom into the breadbasket of Rome.