Mastanabal (

Numidian Numidia ( Berber: ''Inumiden''; 202–40 BC) was the ancient kingdom of the Numidians located in northwest Africa, initially comprising the territory that now makes up modern-day Algeria, but later expanding across what is today known as Tunis ...

: MSTNB , ) was one of three legitimate sons of

Masinissa Masinissa ( nxm, , ''MSNSN''; ''c.'' 238 BC – 148 BC), also spelled Massinissa, Massena and Massan, was an ancient Numidian king best known for leading a federation of Massylii Berber tribes during the Second Punic War (218–201 BC), ulti ...

, the King of

Numidia Numidia ( Berber: ''Inumiden''; 202–40 BC) was the ancient kingdom of the Numidians located in northwest Africa, initially comprising the territory that now makes up modern-day Algeria, but later expanding across what is today known as Tunis ...

, a Berber kingdom in, present day

Algeria ) , image_map = Algeria (centered orthographic projection).svg , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Algiers , coordinates = , largest_city = capital , relig ...

, North Africa. The three brothers were appointed by

Scipio Aemilianus Africanus Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus Aemilianus (185–129 BC), known as Scipio Aemilianus or Scipio Africanus the Younger, was a Roman general and statesman noted for his military exploits in the Third Punic War against Carthage and during the ...

to rule Numidia after Masinissa's death. His name in Numidian was written as "MSTNB" which

Salem Chaker Salem Chaker (born 1950 in Nevers) is an Algerian linguist. A specialist in Berber linguistics (syntax, diachrony, sociolinguistics), he is recognized as the "dean" of modern Berber studies. Biography Salem Chaker was born in 1950 in Nevers, ...

gave it's possible reconstruction as "Amastan (a)B(a)", which could mean "defender/protector (a)b(a)".

References

2nd-century BC rulers in Africa 2nd-century BC Berber people Foreign relations of ancient Rome Kings of Numidia Year of birth unknown {{Algeria-bio-stub