Editing Punic Wars (section)

==Interbellum, 201–149 BC==
At the end of the war, Masinissa emerged as by far the most powerful ruler among the Numidians.{{sfn|Kunze|2015|p=398}} Over the following 48 years he repeatedly took advantage of Carthage's inability to protect its possessions. Whenever Carthage petitioned Rome for redress, or permission to take military action, Rome backed its ally, Masinissa, and refused.{{sfn|Kunze|2015|pp=398, 407}} Masinissa's seizures of and raids into Carthaginian territory became increasingly flagrant. In 151{{spaces}}BC Carthage raised an army, the treaty notwithstanding, and [[counterattack]]ed the Numidians. The campaign ended in disaster for the Carthaginians at the [[battle of Oroscopa]] when their army surrendered.{{sfn|Kunze|2015|p=407}} Carthage had paid off its indemnity and was prospering economically, but was no military threat to Rome.{{sfn|Kunze|2015|p=408}}{{sfn|Le Bohec|2015|p=434}} However, elements in the Roman Senate had long wished to destroy Carthage and with the breach of the treaty as a ''[[casus belli]]'', war was declared in 149{{spaces}}BC.{{sfn|Kunze|2015|p=407}}