Even though he died two years before the end of the Third Punic War, Masinissa was certainly a pivotal figure in the outbreak of hostilities between Rome and Carthage. (One certainly can't help but admire a fellow who could ride horses without a saddle and sire children well into his eighties!) Rather silly of me to overlook him -- but rest assured, he will have a prominent place in the PWIII timeline.

On other matters: I've run into some trouble over assigning a date to Cato's figgish fib -- i.e. the famous episode where the old fart stuns the Senate with a display of plump African figs during one of his "let's raze Carthage to the ground, boys!" speeches. There are at least two plausible dates for the incident, and though I'm currently in favour of one there is some evidence to back up the other. I shall post more information on this issue (including arguments for either date) very soon and will appreciate your responses.