Titus Livius (Livy), The History of Rome, Book 29
Frank Gardener Moore, Professor Emeritus in Columbia University, Ed.

31. Hasdrubal happened to be with Syphax¹ all the time that these events were in progress. And when the Numidian said he believed it was of no great importance to him whether the kingdom of the Maesulians was in the hands of Lacumazes or of Masinissa, Hasdrubal said he was very much mistaken if he believed that Masinissa would be content with what had satisfied his father Gala or his uncle Oezalces; [2] that he had in him a far greater gift of spirit and talent than had ever been found in any man of his tribe; that often in Spain he had given allies and enemies alike evidence of a courage rare among men. [3] He added that unless Syphax and the Carthaginians should put out that incipient flame, they would be consumed later by a mighty conflagration when they could no longer cope with it; that Masinissa's strength was still slight and frail, while he was nursing a kingdom whose wounds had barely begun to heal. [4] By insisting and goading him on Hasdrubal brought him to the point of advancing his army to the frontier of the Maesulians and pitching his camp as though upon soil to which he was unquestionably entitled —land concerning which he had not only argued with Gala repeatedly but had contended also in arms. [5] If anyone should try to drive him away he would fight a regular battle, which would be greatly to his advantage. [6] But if Masinissa in fear should withdraw from that region they must advance into the interior of the kingdom. Either the Maesulians would submit without resistance to the rule of Syphax, or they would be no match for him in arms.

[p. 329] Aroused by these words Syphax made war upon² Masinissa and in the first engagement routed the Maesulians and put them to flight. [7] Masinissa with a few horsemen fled from the battle-field to a mountain called Bellus by the natives.³ [8] A considerable number of households followed the king with their portable huts⁴ and their flocks, the latter being their only wealth. But the rest, the mass of the Maesulians, submitted to the rule of Syphax. [9] The mountain which the fugitives had occupied is well supplied with grass and water and being suitable for the support of cattle, it was quite capable of sustaining men also who lived on flesh and milk. From it they rendered all the surrounding country unsafe, first by stealthy raids in the night and later by open brigandage. [10] Most of all it was Carthaginian territory that was ravaged, because there was more plunder than among the Numidians, and also brigandage was safer. [11] By this time they played their game so openly as to bring their booty down to the sea and sell it to traders who put in with their vessels for that very purpose; and more Carthaginians fell or were captured than occurred often in regular warfare.

The Carthaginians complained of all this to Syphax and, as he also was enraged, they spurred him on to complete what was left of the war. [12] But it seemed hardly becoming for a king to pursue a nomad bandit in the mountains.